From a young age, Jorge Guerra knew he was different. Not just because he was a first-generation Mexican American with deep Indigenous and Spanish roots, or because his home pulsed with the rhythms of Cumbia and community—but because he didn’t see anyone who looked like him on stage or screen. Today, Guerra is changing that narrative as a cast member in the national tour of Hamilton, one of Broadway’s most acclaimed productions.
Guerra’s journey to the stage was anything but ordinary. Raised in a family where music and dance were woven into everyday life—his abuelita was in a band, and his parents competed in Cumbia competitions—he grew up immersed in the cultural traditions of his ancestors. But it wasn’t until he turned 18 that he decided to train seriously in dance. “There are more styles and variations of dance than going down the aisles of a grocery store,” he says. “It felt like a disease—I needed to know more about it. I wanted to know everything about this art form.”
That passion led him to pursue a degree in Dance and Arts Management, though he quickly realized he didn’t want to manage dance—he wanted to live it. He trained in tap, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, Merengue, and Tango. Each movement became a tribute to the layered identity he carries: “I stem from a beautiful and rich history of people who have gone through colonization. Our culture has been whipped down. Our geography changed. It’s all still a part of us.”
As a child, Guerra noticed how people like him were often missing—or misrepresented—in media. He remembers asking his abuelita why people who looked like them only appeared as gang members or thieves. She paused from making tortillas and told him, “If breaking stereotypes is something that compels you, then you can be the first to do it.”
Today, Guerra is doing just that. As a swing in Hamilton—the genre-bending musical that reimagines the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton through hip-hop, R&B, and a diverse cast—he covers six different roles on tour. Being a swing means mastering multiple characters, songs, and dances, and being ready to step in at a moment’s notice. It’s demanding work, but Guerra embraces it with pride. “I am a representative of each of my ancestors,” he says. “As a person of color, it is a scary thing to be criticized for following our dreams, but we have a divine purpose.”
Guerra sees his role not just as a personal achievement, but as a platform. He actively shares his story to inspire children and encourages others to support Voto Latino, an organization that promotes civic engagement among young Latinos.
Catch Jorge Guerra and the touring cast of Hamilton at the Des Moines Civic Center, June 3–15, 2025. Tickets are available at DMPA.org, by calling 515-246-2300, or in person at 221 Walnut St., Des Moines.
Bonus for Fans: Stick around after the show for free post-performance Q&A sessions with cast members on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 PM and Thursday, June 12 at 1 PM.