Performing Arts in Houston's theater district, after appearing with the Men's Chorus of the Bayou City Performing Arts.
Left to right: Eddie Rosas, Nate LeBlanc, David Acalal, Marco Roberts, Bob Lopez, Charlie Nguyen, and Ben Cunning. Scroll down for individual bios.
MARCO ROBERTS
Founder and Troupe Director
Marco Roberts first took up flagging in October of 1999, and by the early days of the new millenium, was being asked to flag for special events at Rich's. In 2001, became the first flagger invited to flag for the annual Bunnies on the Bayou event, as the main entertainment, and became a regular feature. In 2002, decided it was time to take the flag dancing concept to a new level, for others as well as for himself. After recruiting three friends that were completely new to flagging, founded with them the Flyboys of Flag Troupe Houston, and performed their first show in November 2002 at Rich's. The troupe's first lead flagger, Marco is officially the group's director, and is its principal choreographer and overall leader. After what will be ten years, he plans his performing appearances to end in 2009.
DAVID ACALAL
Lead Flag Dancer
David Acalal, currently pursuing post-doctoral studies in cell biology and an accomplished competitive tennis plater, joined the troupe as an apprentice in March 2004, and became the 8th official member with his first troupe performance at "Lift Off" in June 2004. Since then, has become a master flagger in his own right and now plays a central role in the troupe's performances by sharing leading roles with Marco, and also developing some of the choreography of more recent shows. He has been officially designated the Crown Prince of the Flyboys. David is known for his uniquely bouyant and flashy style, and deadpan sense of humor.
BOB LOPEZ
Supporting Lead Flag Dancer
Bob Lopez, currently an administrative assistant, first took up flagging when he became a Flyboy apprentice in May of 2006, after witnessing the Flyboys at the Bunnies Easter 2006 show. He appeared in his first Flyboys show as a "trooper" (flag poles, not flagging), in the Houston Pride parade that June, and became the 9th official member with his first performance as a flagger in the Halloween 23 show in New Orleans in October 2006. Bob's flagging style is elegant, even statuesque, and can be quite playful once you get to know him. He has been officially designate a Flyboys Prince.
CHARLIE NGUYEN
Supporting Lead Flag Dancer
Charlie Nguyen, a successful optometrist, decided to become part of Flyboys after seeing the SnowBunnies 2 show in December 2005. He took up his first flags when he joined the troupe as an apprentice in June of 2006, and became the 11th official member with his first performance in the Halloween 23 show in New Orleans in October 2006. Since then he has become a master flagger, and often mentors new members and apprentices. Charlie's flagging style is graceful and flowing, and he is known for his conscientious generosity. He has been officially designated a Flyboys Prince.
NATE LEBLANC
Supporting Lead Flag Dancer
Nate LeBlanc, a freelance marketer, became interested in joining the Flyboys after coming across some Flyboys free-styling at a New Year's Eve 2007 dance. He took up his first flags when he began attending Flyboys practices in February of 2007, and became the12th official member with his first performance as a Flyboy in the Lift Show for New Hope Celebrates, in New Hope, PA, in May 2007. Nate likes to pose for pictures, and his flagging style is provocative, but he knows where to draw the line (usually).
ADRIAN HERNANDEZ
Troupe Flagger
Adrian Hernandez, an engineering student, first became interested in flagging when he saw flaggers from New York perform at a Monterrey nightclub. Then, he caught Flyboy Marco Roberts perfoming at the Jungle 14 Afterhours party, and immediately decided he had to join. He took his first flags when he finally began attending Flyboy training in October 2006, and became the 13th official member with his first performance as a Flyboy in the Houston Pride Pre-Parade in June 2007. Adrian is flagger known for his perfect timing and smooth moves, as well as his dapper personality.
BEN CUNNING
Troupe Flagger
Ben Cunning, a litigation paralegal, first became interested in flagging when he saw the Flyboys perform at various Rich's shows. He finally decided to make the call when he saw the Flyboys perfom at the Jungle 15 Afterhours party. He took up his first flags when he started attending Flyboy training in August 2006, and became the 14th official member when he perfomed with the troupe on November 16, 2007 in their premiere of "Wall of Sound." He is already known for his precision, his ease with turns, and his gentle demeanor (which masks a more daring personality).
EDDIE ROSAS
Troupe Flagger
Eddie Rosas, a medical assisamt and Iraq War veteran, first became interested in flagging when he met the Flyboys at their first carwash at Mary's. He took up his first flags when he started attending Flyboy training in November 2007, and became the 15th official member when he perfomed with the troupe on March 31, 2008 at Jones Hall with the Bayou City Performing Arts Men's Chorus. Still a new flagger, he is rapidly mastering flagging skills, and becoming a key member working on show logistics.
FERNANDO ZAMORA
Troupe Flagger
Fernando Zamora, a recent arrival from Mexico City, is a full-fledged dancer and has been prominent in many music videos for several Latin pop stars. He took up his first flags when he started attending Flyboy training in February 2007, and became the 16th official member when he perfomed with the troupe on April 13, 2008 at the Verizon Theater at the Houston Roller Derby Halftime, an unusually short learning curve. Still a very new flagger, he has already displayed a professional demeanor and level of commitment to his new artistic endeavor.
JUAN JEREZ
Troupe Flagger
Juan Jerez is a university student originally from Guatemala. He became interested in joining the Flyboys when he saw them perform at Jones Hall with the Bayou City Performing Arts' Men's Chorus. He took up his first flags when he started attending Flyboy training in May 2008, and became the 17th official member when he perfomed with the troupe on December 6, 2008 at the Hobby Center. This new flagger with some professional dance training, sports a flashy smile that announces a genuinely kind personality.
FRED CASTILLO
Troupe Flagger
Fred Castillo is an office administrator, and he decided to join the Flyboys when he attended one of the practices as a guest. New to flag dancing, he started attending Flyboy training in July 2008, and became the 18th official member when he perfomed with the troupe on December 6, 2008 at the Hobby Center. Though still new to the troupe, Fred is already displaying a talent for timing and execution.
A flagger becomes an official member of the Flyboys of Flag Troupe Houston when he completes one public performance as a flag-dancer with the troupe. It usually takes about three months before a membership candidate is ready to be part of a show. A Flyboy is considered retired from the troupe six months after the his last participation in a public performance with the troupe, unless an extension of another six months is requested.
HoustonFlyboys - Troupe Members