- Coming Soon: Yenque is currently in the development of two projects for 2026, a documentary about his journey working with underserved youth and a movie he’s been developing with a cast of young students of his acting/media creation program in the rural areas of Tijuana, Mexico and inner cities of Los Angeles, California.
- Currently Streaming: Yenque can also be seen as “Chuy Ornelas” in Netflix’s The Residence, and as “Cowboy” in HBO Max’s Duster, both premiered in Spring 2025.
- Recognition: The Humanitarian Filmmaker Award is given to an individual who gives to those in need through the art of film. Actor and Activist J.R. Yenque received the inaugural award for his work through the organization he founded Arts for a Better Tomorrow – ABT. Yenque created ABT to provide social-emotional arts education to youth in Continuation High Schools in Los Angeles, and centers, and orphanages in Tijuana, Mexico. Yenque was presented with the HPIFF Humanitarian Award at the opening night of the festival.
- His Passion: In 2014, Arts for a Better Tomorrow – ABT was born! Yenque created this bi-national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to address the social-emotional health of abandoned youth in Tijuana’s orphanages and centers, as well as teens in public schools in Los Angeles. ABT’s program incorporates the transformational and healing powers of the theater and media arts to effect real change and offer positive paths to the future for at-risk youth. The program uses the ABT network to connect students on both sides of the border through video messaging, teaching empathy while creating an international camaraderie and support system. Video Link: https://vimeo.com/120211575
Past Awards:
- In 2024, Yenque received the Sony Pictures Teaching Artist award for creating innovative program for youth in underserved communities.
- Jose Yenque Receives an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts at CSUSM
- Yenque received H.O.L.A.’s Award for Humanitarianism for his work with the youth at Casa Hogar Orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico, and the at-risk teens in East L.A.
Yenque has taken the lead in significant humanitarian and educational projects, to utilize his recognition in the entertainment industry to the benefit of those in need.
Yenque’s success with students parallels his success on the screen and stage, and he is committed to weaving together his considerable skills and talents as both an actor and humanitarian.
SPEAKING EVENTS:
- “The Yenque Acting Tradition” with Teresa and José Yenque.
Location: Cal State San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, CA 92096
Come meet Teresa and Jose Yenque, two generations of award-winning actors who have shared the stage and screen with many of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. Their careers have spanned Broadway theatre, Hollywood film/TV, and international and indie productions. Hear their stories of struggle and triumph, view a screening of two of their finest short films (award winners Abuela’s Revolt and Wednesday Afternoon), and dialogue with them about their careers and lives. Presented at The McMahan House at Cal State San Marcos.
(Map – site #50, just west of the stadium)