Esteban Andres Cruz was born in Berwyn and raised in Cicero, Illinois. They began their acting career at the age of 5 in a local stage production of A Christmas Carol. Growing up in a town made famous by Al Capone and Joe Montegna, Esteban was surrounded by a rich cultural heritage. Their parents, a Puerto Rican father and a Mexican mother, instilled in them a love for dance and music.
Esteban's early years were marked by a passion for dance, particularly Mexican Folklorico. They joined the theater department at J Sterling Morton East High School, where they honed their acting skills and learned about the elements of stage craft. Thomas Rusnak, the theater director, became a mentor to Esteban, teaching them about acting, dance, and the various aspects of creating theater.
After high school, Esteban continued their training at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, where they won a full scholarship to study concert dance with Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre. They began their professional dance career with the company, working as a dancer, choreographer, and singer. Esteban won the AFTER DARK AWARD for BEST CHOREOGRAPHY as a senior in high school.
Esteban's love for jazz music also began to flourish during this time. They trained with the Wagnerian tenor Robert Berthold for years, studying Italian art songs and German Lieder. Esteban's classical music training allowed them to sing Schubert, Schuman, Beethoven, and Brahms.
After two years at the Fine Arts Building, Esteban continued their studies at the dance conservatory Barat, where they majored in dance and minored in classical music-singing and playing piano. They also sang with the University Big Band and several small combos. Esteban's love for English literature led them to finish their studies with a degree in Rhetoric (creative writing; creative non-fiction and prose poetry) and a minor in Dance.
Esteban joined the corps de ballet of the Cincinnati Ballet after college and later moved to Chicago, where they worked as a dancer, choreographer, and singer. They were a part of RTG Dance for seven years, performing, teaching, and choreographing for the company. Esteban also got to perform in Chicago's rich storefront theater scene and the thriving improv and sketch communities.
In 2008, Esteban made their operatic debut as PUCK in Benjamin Britten's MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. They continued to perform in theater around the city, acting taking a front seat for all of their work. In 2009, they did their first national commercial for Southwest Airlines, joined SAG-AFTRA, and had their first major breakthrough role in film.
Esteban began the first day of school at the School at Steppenwolf in 2009 and was nominated for BEST ACTOR for their performance as Angel Cruz in Stephen Adly Guirgis's JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN. They won the award and went on to flourish in Chicago and beyond, performing in award-winning productions, including A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, directed by DAVID CROMER.
In 2017, Esteban attended their first Independent Spirit Awards and celebrated the victory of their Sundance debut film SPA NIGHT. The film was awarded the CASSEVETTI BEST FEATURE AWARD. In 2018, Esteban won the Theatre Communication Group's National Award; The Fox Foundation Actor Fellowship, a 25K Award for exceptional merit.
Esteban has continued to work in film and television, with upcoming projects including the film RATTLED! and the television series SOUTH SIDE. They have also been coaching movement for the television series LIGHTYEARS, starring SISSY SPACEK and J.K. SIMMONS, and working on two new plays with Stephen Adly Guirgis.
Throughout their career, Esteban has been recognized for their exceptional talent and dedication to the arts. They have won numerous awards, including the Jeff Award for BEST ACTOR, the Drama Desk Award nomination for BEST FEATURED ACTOR, and the Theatre Communication Group's National Award; The Fox Foundation Actor Fellowship. Esteban's passion for dance, music, and theater has taken them on a journey of discovery and growth, and they continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.
