Writer | Playwright | Actor

Me (yes, some years back!), who I like to describe as a runny-nosed kid from Lubbock, Texas, who wanted nothing more than to make his mother proud!

With Mary Forney and the late-great hall of fame jockey Garrett Gomez. At the release of his biography in Los Angeles.

With Mark Simon, the editor of the Thoroughbred Times, and Shane Ryan, the son of Tony Ryan, the founder of Ryanair airline, after winning the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita.

Presenting Sheila Ford Hemp, the owner of the Detroit Lions and philanthropist, with the key to the Henry Ford Birthplace at Greenfield Field Village. After a devastating fire I led the team that restored the home to pristine condition in time for the 100th anniversary of Ford's first car, the Quadricycle.

Rodolfo Alvarado is a multifaceted writer, playwright, and actor whose work spans fiction, non-fiction, stage, and screen. Based in Michigan with his wife and children, Alvarado has built a diverse career that blends literary excellence, historical storytelling, and live performance. His work has been featured in literary journals, academic publications, popular presses, theatrical productions, and digital media.

Alvarado’s latest endeavor is the monodrama Undesirable Secrets, a powerful solo performance based on the remarkable life of Anthony C. Acevedo, a WWII combat medic, former POW, and the first Mexican American registered as a Holocaust survivor. With the full support of the Acevedo Family and the Anthony Acevedo Educational Foundation, the play has been reimagined as a one-person drama to heighten its emotional impact. Alvarado not only wrote Undesirable Secrets but also performs the role of Anthony Acevedo, marking his transition into acting.

Following a successful read-through in January 2024 at The Holzman Auditorium in San Antonio—attended by over 385 people—the play has moved into workshop development. A Santa Fe workshop was held in August 2024, with a full production set for 2025.
Beyond theater, Alvarado is the author of nine books, including America’s Latinos: A Quick Reference Guide and Words That Matter: A Quick Reference Guide, both praised for their insight into Latinx/o issues. His biography The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita won the prestigious Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, and he has twice been a finalist for the award, along with an Eclipse Award nomination.

Alvarado’s literary achievements extend to children’s media. His podcast The Perla Garcia Mysteries won the Latin Podcast Award (2022-23), engaging young audiences with thrilling and educational stories. His work has been published by Arte Público Press’ Piñata Books, The Americas Review, The Latino Book Review, and Texas A&M University Press, with academic and popular writings appearing in The University of Michigan Press, Michigan State University Press, The Texas Observer, and Alpha Books of New York, among others.

​A dedicated scholar, Alvarado holds a Ph.D. in Fine Arts and an MFA in Playwriting from Texas Tech University, as well as an MA in History from Eastern Michigan University (EMU), where he was named a University Fellow and a Parks/King/Chavez Fellow. Before committing full-time to writing and performance, he taught at the University of Michigan, Texas Tech University, Ave Maria University, and Eastern Michigan University. He also lent his expertise to The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village and the Ford Motor Company, enriching his creative and historical perspective.

Now, with Undesirable Secrets, Alvarado expands his storytelling to the stage, combining history, emotion, and artistry in a one-person performance that brings Anthony Acevedo’s story to life.