Hector Serrano Scholarship Fund - El Paso Community Foundation | Grants, Scholarships, and Philanthropy Services

Hector Serrano, the gifted and beloved theatrical director, producer, actor, choreographer and dancer passed away December 24 at the age of 83. A teacher and professor of English and theater since 1964, Serrano was a friend and mentor to hundreds of young people during his long and multifaceted career.

He had a master’s degree in English literature from UTEP, did doctoral work in English at UNM, and studied theater at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, NYU, and the University of London.

As an educator, he taught at Austin High School, Tech High School, UTEP, and at EPCC for 34 years until his retirement in 2014. He created the theater program at EPCC where he directed over 50 productions.

Mr. Serrano created the outdoor drama Viva El Paso! at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater in 1978 and directed it until his retirement in 2002. During his tenure, he worked with many of El Paso’s theater luminaries, including Rita Triana, Ingeborg Heuser, Albert Ronke, Roz Evans, Oskar Antunez, Don Pasco, Mike Spence, and Yvonne Marmolejo.

Mr. Serrano inaugurated Shakespeare on-the-Rocks at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater in 1981. Since 2004, it has moved to many venues including the Chamizal and Cathedral High School. He continued as Artistic Director until his passing.

He created the dance spectacular Zapateados in 2000 where it was presented for three years at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. He then revived it in 2023 at the Plaza Theatre.

His interest in Spanish language and bilingual theater began in 1968 when he helped found Teatro Los Pobres, which he later headed through 1985. He was artistic director of its successor, Los Actores, founded in 2001, until his passing.

Mr. Serrano started Eden Enterprises in 2003 to produce theater in partnership with numerous community groups.

In 2021 he helped incorporate Eden Performing Arts, the non-profit successor to Eden Enterprises.

He directed well over 250 productions during his long career. His last was the December 2024 Tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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