Who is Ángel Miguel López?
Student to Educator
After graduating from Jordan High School in North Long Beach, Ángel went on to continue his studies at the University of California: San Diego. In their 5 years there (2016-2021), Ángel received two Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degrees, one in History and another in Theatre, while also completing a Double Minor in Black Studies and Chicanx Studies.
Post-Graduation, he became a teacher with the San Diego Unified School District, teaching Theater to K-5th grade students across the county, and afterwards was recruited to become a dedicated 9th-12th grade English Teacher at Hoover High School where he developed his own curriculum to teach Ethnic Studies/Critical Race Theory.
Ángel is continuing their education at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where they are working on their third and final year of their Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting. Concurrently,
Ángel is currently a Theatre Education Specialist for grades K-8 at the California Creative Learning Academy (CalCreative) in Los Angeles, California
Theatre-Maker
Actor, Director, Playwright, Sound Designer and Dramaturg.
Ángel first began acting in 2012, where he was first cast in Jordan High School's production of "Little Shop of Horrors".
Ten years and over twenty productions later, Ángel has evolved from more than just an actor into an all-around theatre-maker.
He has written a variety of plays (even one with world-renowned playwright Pravin Wilkins) and many of his works have been selected for festivals and residencies across the U.S and Mexico.
In addition, Angel has directed various Chicano classics, new age plays and his own works across California.
Ángel continuously strives to push the boundaries between reality and the stage, giving light and voice to the Black and Brown communities that have been long been oppressed.
Musician
Born in South Central LA and raised in North Long Beach, CASP3R is the alter-ego of Angel Miguel Lopez. Having picked up the pen after years of seeing his older cousin Jr. rap and make mixtapes off a tape recorder in his garage, Ángel officially began rapping and making music in the summer of 2015 under the alias CASP3R.
CASP3R released his long-awaited debut "i.AM.Lost" in 2023. This 5 track EP discusses the struggles of adolescence, social injustices and how to manage this journey that is life. CASP3R is making huge moves in 2024 with his debut album VISTAS, which features two tracks with Las Vegas legend Dizzy Wright!
All of CASP3R's current music is available on your favorite streaming services. Tune in, reach out and support your friendly neighborhood ghost!
Poet & Author
Angel has been writing plays, poetry and academic essays for the past 10 years, and with each year their pen grows, and their work deepens.
They have been published in the Community Literature Initiative's Anthology titled Long Beach Spits Fire (2024) and is currently working on their full-length book of poetry titled
The Internal Monologues of the Last Chicano in the World which is set to release in 2025 with the help of CLI - Long Beach.
Angel is currently working on developing new vocabulary to widen our critiques of the Eurocentric world around us with the word "Contrapalatization" which he hopes to develop and publish in his doctoral studies within the coming years.
Organizer
Angel consistently strives for the betterment of his communities and dedicates his time to giving back through multiple means. Below are some of his current and previously participating organizations.
Los Angeles Poet Society
Director of Teatro
Host of Tonalli Open Mic
Brown Berets National Organization
OC/LA Chapter
M.E.Ch.A de UCSD
Chicano Studies Representative
High School Conference Coordinator
Children's Defense Fund - California
Action Scholar
Brothers Sons Selves Coalition Member
Headshots
circa. 2021
circa. 2023
circa. 2024