Originally from Las Vegas, Blandina Vergara-Cruz brings over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, including 10 years of directing and producing shows in Williamson County. Her impressive career includes serving as Program Director at Expression City, Board Member for Pull Tight Players, and Director of the Youth and Teen Actors Guild, where she directed numerous musicals. For more than five years, Blandina also directed the renowned Kids on Stage Summer Academy in Leipers Fork and led several children’s programs for Williamson County Parks and Recreation, such as Rising Stars, Stars to the East, and Starbright Players.

 

Outside of teaching and directing, Blandina oversees three businesses: Dreams Do Come True Princess Parties, Riley’s Salon, and Party Venue. She also dedicates her time to community projects, including serving as a committee member for the Tennessee Kids Arts Festival. Most importantly, she leads her family’s non-profit, the Ray of Light Foundation, in honor of her late son, Raymond M. Cruz. The foundation supports seven initiatives benefiting Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and continues Raymond’s legacy of love and compassion.  

 

Blandina is also deeply involved in her community. She serves on the bereaved parent advisory council for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and was honored as one of Williamson County 2022 Philanthropic Heroes. She strongly believes in the importance of giving back, recognizing that it fosters belonging, addresses social challenges, facilitates personal growth, strengthens community resilience, and inspires future generations. She encourages individuals to embrace their responsibility to contribute to the betterment of their community.  lies in its ability to foster belonging, address social challenges, facilitate personal growth, strengthen community resilience, and inspire future generations. As individuals, we have the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to the betterment of our communities. She finds great joy in collaborating, creating, and working with a team of creative souls to fully realize that the product we create helps everyone in some way. 

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Blandina is thrilled to finally own her own studio and looks forward to building the future of The Franklin Playhouse.Her goal is to develop a thriving creative community, nurture the nex generation of talent, and create memorable productions for years to come.