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For Immediate Release, Sunday, 8/8/2021:

Renato Estacio-Burdick, President and Artistic Director of the NM Black Cat Cultural Enterprises, a cultural center, is pleased to announce that Albuquerque’s newest theatre, Actors Studio 66, will be in permanent residence at the Cultural Center.  The Artistic Co-Directors of Actors Studio 66, Frederick Ponzlov and Kathleen Welker, are thrilled to be a part of this undertaking at the Cultural Center.  

Estacio believes, “This is the first step to elevating our community by providing an art through which many life skills can be honed and used every day,” and, “a partnership of this type creates a playhouse environment where learning theater and high quality acting can thrive.” Estacio has acted in several productions throughout their life, minored in Theater in college, studied in a summer program at the Neighborhood Playhouse and the Acting Studio, and won several awards and scholarships in the arts. 

Ponzlov who has won numerous acting awards and whose first screenplay “Undertaking Betty” won a BAFTA for Best Comedy said “I have worked in almost every theatre company in Albuquerque and I have never worked with a more supportive group of individuals than at the Black Cat. This organization is nothing short of amazing and in days to come is going to impact Albuquerque in a major way.”  

Welker, an international actress who has directed and acted in numerous productions throughout the United States and the world, says, “Our goal is to provide professional quality productions that will both enlighten and entertain. After more than a year of being closed down, we are very fortunate to have wonderful support from the Black Cat enterprise."  

Actors Studio 66 is soon to announce their new season at the Black Cat. “It will be a wide variety of both drama and comedy,” Welker continued. “We can’t wait to begin. There are so many deeply talented actors in Albuquerque, and we are excited to give them another place to perform.”

The NM Black Cat Cultural Enterprises is a 501(c)3 located in Albuquerque's Nob Hill District and supports international cultural, educational, and performing arts activities. Through these activities, the enterprise aims to integrate social, educational, and economic forces to improve the social welfare of marginalized communities in and out of the arts. 

More information can be found at www.nmbc-cc.org, or by contacting Renato Estacio-Burdick at renatoestacio@yahoo.com, or texting 702-449-7022