Cristina Goyeneche is an actress, director, fight choreographer, and educator who comes from Bakersfield, CA, where she taught at California State University, Bakersfield (acting) and Bakersfield College (acting and film studies). She is currently the Co-Vice Chair of the National Playwriting Program for Region 8 of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, where her passion for fostering new work and young playwrights can expand beyond wherever she is based. Her work in the arts focuses primarily on bringing forth the voices of marginalized groups, especially those of the Latinx community. Through her incorporation of Meisner, breath, and movement, she seeks to find the essence and truth of every story.

Some past favorite credits include Electricidad by Luis Alfaro (Directed, Bakersfield College), Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight (Directed, Stars Playhouse), Crumbs/Migas (Marielena, ACT Contemporary Theatre), and Shakespeare in Love (Viola, Ovation Theatre). 

Cristina received a BA in both Theatre Arts and Psychology from California State University, Bakersfield and her MFA in Acting from the University of Iowa.