Tony Plana, former star of the ABC’s hit show "Ugly Betty," will deliver the keynote address at Betts Theatre this evening, kicking off GW’s annual Latino Heritage Celebration.
This year’s celebration, titled “Saber es Poder: The Power of Knowledge,” features a dozen events sponsored by a number of student organizations. Highlights include the Parade of Flags, an outdoor festival in Kogan Plaza, and GW’s 16th annual La Fiestasa, featuring live music, dancing and food.
The keynote address, which will begin at 6:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) and GW’s Writing in the Disciplines program.
Mr. Plana played Ignacio Suarez on the popular TV series "Ugly Betty." He also received ALMA award nominations for his performance in Showtime’s former series "Resurrection Boulevard" and has appeared in more than 60 films, as well as on Broadway. Mr. Plana’s 2000 movie "The Princess and the Barrio Boy" was the first Latino family film to be produced by Showtime.
Mr. Plana is also the co-founder and executive artistic director of the East L.A. Classic Theatre, a group comprised primarily of Hispanic American theater professionals. Through the East L.A. Classic Theatre, Mr. Plana developed Beyond Borders, a program designed to improve literacy skills in academically at risk and bilingual students through the performing arts.