I think HOLA its a great resource for actors on all levels of the Acting/Media/Theater field that strive to share and support our communities, How many organizations do we as Latinos have that can actually support our craft? HOLA is always there when you need them and lets get it straight people! they are not babysitters nor are they going to chew your food for you. HOLA is about a community of artist that support each other es una hermandad......I am a witness to that, for the fact that when I need help to cast a project or need help on developing one HOLA has provided me on completing and achieving my purpose.
HOLA is by Latinos for Latinos.
Pa lante!
As a Latino artist in NYC I am thankful to have an organization such as HOLA in my corner. HOLA has provided a supportive base, where I can read audition notices daily in the HOLAgram email; take classes or participate in workshops (often with a member discount), classes that hone skills and the specific needs of the HOLA member. I have been called in for auditions based on my listing in the HOLA Directory of Talent. When I do find work and notify HOLA, I know that almost immediately an announcement will be placed in EL BLOG DE HOLA. This listing provides HOLA members with a legitimate link to share, which is a valuable to members like myself ,who are always looking for ways to increase their on-line presence. And there is always something on the horizon in which HOLA members can participate. As a playwright, I have yet to take advantage of the annual HOLAfestival, which showcases work written by HOLA members, by presenting a series of play-readings, performed -of course- by talented HOLA members. Stunningly, HOLA provides all this without ever taking a commission. Therefore, I am always happy to pay my dues each year, as the return on my investment is well met. Viva' HOLA!!
I am not only a non-profit finance professional, but also a Friend of HOLA (a donor, for those not acquainted with the organization), and I have a very different impression of this institution. In all of my dealings with the group, I have been treated with courtesy and professionalism. I am continually notified of various workshops and seminars being offered to the membership, including sessions on acting for the camera and dialect reduction. HOLA presents annual awards celebrating Latinos in the industry, and I know from professional experience that mounting such a gala event is incredibly taxing and difficult for an organization with a small staff. Yet HOLA manages to do it with dignity and style. I believe that HOLA is a worthwhile organization, doing important work toward an accurate, informed and non-stereotyped portrayal of Hispanic people in the media. Despite limited means, it gives good service to its members, and honors its mission.
This organization, whose co-founders include the late actor Raul Julia, is a model in self serving incompetence and negligence. The organization's leadership at the Executive Director and across the Executive Board level, especially it's Chairman of the Board, have turned this organization into a self serving non profit that offers no real value to the members from whom it receives yearly membership dues. The organization fails to live up to its stated mission statement but nonetheless receives state and city funds for its sham of an operation. Such actions are incompetent at best and fraudulent at worst.