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Guest Post: Mariana Carreño King Describes the Process Behind Writing “Señorita 744890”

Michael Palma for Mariana Correno KIng RepOn the brink of starting the last week of rehearsals, I think I speak for the rest of the crew when I say we are very excited!

It has been a very intense process, but also one filled with surprises. Even though, I have a few years working on this play, you really don’t know what works and what doesn’t until you work with actors and designers.

This play started as a monologue. I was reading an article about the effects of solitary confinement on imprisoned women and I remembered a legend which I love titled La mulata de Córdoba. In the story, there’s a beautiful dark-skinned women that doesn’t pay attention to any of the man from her town, her lack of interest in the men around her, causes people to accuse her of witchcraft which in turn leads to her being incarcerated; in some versions she was in a jail in other versions she was held in a cave. Nonetheless, the point is that she is alone and only has a piece of chalk to draw on the walls…I won’t tell you what happens next to not ruin the play for you.

While I wrote the monologue, it didn’t seem appropriate so I chose to add the other characters.

The idea that the play was written by a lonely writer sitting in a dark and depressing apartment is not necessarily true (my apartment is not depressing, just disorganized). Well, maybe the first draft. But plays are a product of many people working together. This play was not the exception. The ideas developed with the help of many artistic residencies where I was able to work with actors and directors, among them, “Playground” with Lark Play Development Center, a “Summer Intensive” with LAByrinth Theatre Company and “INKtank” with Rising Circle.

Daniel Jáquez, the director, has directed three lectures with different actors in the last three years. In every lecture along with the comments from different mentors and actors, the ideas and perspective kept growing. I may take the credit as playwright, but the real credit belongs to all those who have put their grain of sand.

To win the Metlife “Nuestra Voces” National Playwright Competition has been an incredible experience. Repertorio has been a generous and open to the bizarre ideas I come up with. I wrote the script in English, but I love to showcase it in Spanish. To do the translation has thought me a lot about the characters, the story and what I wanted to say; it also helped me to improve the English script. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Miss 748890 was written and developed during a Playground Residency with The Lark Play Development Center, two Summer Intensives with LAByrinth Theatre Company, and an INKtank Residency with Rising Circle, under the mentorship of Migdalia Cruz y Deepa Purohit.

Mariana wishes to thank Migdalia Cruz, Deepa Purohit, Portia Jones, Marlene Forte, Teddy Cañez, Kohl Sudduth, Socorro Santiago, Lanna Joffrey, Harvey Gardner Moore, e Irene Sofia Lucio, for their support, feedback and for giving life to these characters in different incarnations.

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Meet The People Behind “Señorita 744890”

Señorita 744890 is coming soon to Repertorio! Meet the people behind the production of the 2014 winning play of Metlife Nuestras Voces Playwright Competition.

Mariana Carreño King’s Señorita 744890, follows the story of Maria, who finds herself in prison and held in solitary confinement. To accompany her, Maria only has a piece of chalk, sporadic visits from Howard, and a voice. Directed by Daniel Jáquez, Señorita 744890 will take us on a search for inner peace in the midst of the circumstances.

This new drama will premiere on Repertorio’s stage on Tuesday, February 5th at 8pm.

For tickets and additional performance dates, visit www.repertorio.nyc or call 212-225-9999.

Winning Play of the 2014 Metlife Nuestras Voces National Playwritting Competition. 

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MARIANA CARREÑO KING

 Playwright

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Mariana plays include The Prisoner (developed with The Lark and Rising Circle Collective) Patience, Fortitude and Other Antidepressants, (an urban riff on Federico García Lorca’s Yerma, commissioned by Intar Theatre for Unit52,  presented at LATC as part of Encuentro 2014), Dance for a Dollar (a dance-theatre collaboration with Daniel Jáquez, Miracle Theatre, Portland, OR) Ofelia’s Lovers (Mabou Mines Residencies, 2007-2009), Rare Encounters (Intar’s Hispanic Playwrights in Residency Lab, 2008), Darkroom, and The Wake (NewWorksLab, 1996 and 2007), Fool’s Journey (finalist, 2001 O’Neill Playwrights Conference) and La Mujer del tiempo (Autonomous University of Queretaro, Mexico). Her short plays, Pitahayas (finalist, 2003 Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Heideman Award), Mexico ’68, Riding Hope, Night of the Cat-Sitter, Pretty Little Imp, Clowns, and Static have been presented at The Public, Milagro Theatre, Intar and with LAByrinth Theatre Company.  As a director she has worked with Rising Circle, IATI Theatre, Intar, Cherry Pitt, Rising Circle and The Lark in NYC, and Stages Repertory in Houston, TX, among others. Mariana is in the Advisory Committee for The Lark Play Development Center US/Mexico Playwright Exchange, member of LAByrinth Theatre Company, and Alumna, Hispanic Playwrights in Residency Lab (HPRL) at INTAR.

DANIEL JÀQUEZ

Director

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Daniel is a stage director, theater creator and translator. Daniel grew up in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and studied Actuarial Science at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Texas and a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theater Institute at Harvard University.

Jáquez is the Interim Artistic Director of Milagro Theater in Portland, Oregon. In New York, Jáquez is the Director of the young company Unit52 from Intar Theater and was the producer and director of his NewWorks Lab Festival. Jáquez is an associated artist of V!da Theater in Springfield, Massachusetts and a member of the US/Mexico Playwright Exchange from Lark Play Development Center committee, where he participates as a director and translator.

Jáquez is also a member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, at Latina/o Theater Common’s Steering Committee, at Lincoln Center Theater Director’s Lab and NoPassport, a Pan-American theater coalition.

ZULEMA CLARES

Role: Maria

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Zulema holds a degree in Theater Techniques and Choral Direction from Cuba’s National Arts School.  She has worked in theater, film, and television as an actress, playwright, and director.  Her credits include, Las noches de Constantinopla, Tres veces dos y Larga distancia. Her credits with Repertorio include La fiesta del Chivo, La casa de Bernarda Alba, La vida es un sueño, Pantaleón y la visitadoras, Así que pasen cinco años, En el tiempo de las mariposas, Mariela en el desierto, El amor en tiempos del cólera, Fuenteovejuna, Citas a ciegas, La zapatera prodigiosa, Aire Frio, El loco por fuerza y La Tía Julia y el escribidor. Clares is the recipient of multiple ACE and HOLA awards.

BOBBY PLASENCIA

Role: Howard, Corrections Officer

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Bobby holds a MFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. His NY credits include, Su nombre será su sombra  (Repertorio Español), 21 (Repertorio Español), La Ruta (Working Theater), Lawnpeople (Cherry Lane), Luz (La Mama), American Jornalero (INTAR), Brave Ducks (NY Fringe), Julius Caesar (The Drilling Company). Regional credits include Caliban in The Tempest, Feste in Twelfth Night, and Dromio of Ephesus in Comedy of Errors (Griffith Park Shakespeare Festival, LA). Water & Power (The Mark Taper Forum, LA), Water & Power (San Diego Rep, 2008 Craig Noel Award), Vesuvius (South Coast Rep), Blood Wedding (La Jolla Playhouse). Films include, Letters from the Bigman (Sundance Film Festival), Fidel (Showtime mini-series), and Maria Full of Grace (HBO).

INÉS DEL CASTILLO

Role: Voice

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Inés is an actress, director and author with a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of Art in acting and directing. Her credits with Repertorio include En el Tiempo de las Mariposas and three short plays from the Siglo de Oro. For her work in The Window, she was nominated by Innovation Theater Awards in New York for Best Actress and with the rest of the cast won Best Cast. Last year she interpreted an original monologue at TEDx.  As a director, she is a member of Lincoln Center Directors Lab and is the recipient of the Van Lier scholarship for young Latino directors to direct two productions at Repertorio. Both productions were nominated for awards by ACE, HOLA, and won an award from ATI.

 

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Michael Palma’s Shots of “Su nombre será su sombra para siempre”

Talented photographer Michael Palma stopped by Repertorio to snap these great shots of Repertorio’s newest play and 2013 winner of the MetLife ‘Nuestras Voces’ National Playwriting Competition, “Su nombre será su sombra para siempre” (Your Name Will Follow You Home) by Carlos Murillo and directed by José Zayas.

Following the story of a group of Hispanic-American writers in 1988 New York City, the play is a perfect example of not only what the ‘Nuestras Voces’ Competition can discover, but what Hispanic-American playwrights are writing and contributing to the great Latino tradition of theater. Another great treat is the incredibly designed and versatile set, conceived by Leni Méndez, which allows for a convenient transition between the play’s various settings.

With a planned run until February, check out Repertorio’s main website for tickets or call the box office line at (212) 225 9999

 

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Actor Germán Jaramillo Comments on Recent Tour of Repertorio Production, “Cita a ciegas” to Colombia

6- CITA A CIEGAS - Photo by Michael Palma
Mario Diament’s highly acclaimed play Cita a ciegas  is a play that has traveled the world over many times. Almost a year since its New York premiere at Repertorio Español, Repertorio fans have hailed the play as one of the best the company has produced. Directed by the world famous Jorge Alí Triana, the cast recently traveled under the auspices of generous The Mid Atlantic and STELAC Foundations to the prestigious International Theatre Festival in Manizales, Colombia, one of the most important and longest standing theatre festivals in Latin America.

Actor and film star Germán Jaramillo, who plays the role of the Blind Man in this one-of-a-kind play was particularly touched, however, as he returned to the cradle of his career.

“Without a doubt the tour was a great success for Repertorio. For me it was absolutely memorable not just as a return [to Colombia] but rather as a conquest. We performed in a full audience at the Los Fundadores Theater of Manizales, during the evening, something like one thousand people; on Monday afternoon, a difficult day, we had the theatre abour 90% full  and the performance was great; the first time we had performed the play in such a big space, a theater for 1,300 spectators. But the 7PM performance was so unique: clean, refined, full of new details with an alert audience that also had a lot of fun. For me it was very significant because Manizales is my hometown, I grew up there and saw my first plays in that theater, acting in my first plays in my acting career in Colombia. But to return there after so many years and act with a cast of such extraordinary quality like this one presented by Repertorio, in front of my friends from college and school and their families, and the acclaim that we received at the end was an experience like no other.

In Bogotá, it was even more exciting because in the theatre we performed in, the Teatro Libre del Centro, one can say that I literally built it with my own hands. I know its every corner and the day we arrived in Bogotá with Repertorio, we went to see the space . When I stood on that stage and said those first lines of the Blind Man, I again felt the exquisite acoustics in that space, the intimacy of the 200 spectators it can hold, and I was very proud to perform again in that space after fifteen years, together with the actors Repertorio has cast for this spectacle, and directed by a Colombian. All of the performances in Bogotá were praised by critics as well as by the public as an extraordinary experience, a concert of acting, a delightful text and a play full of theatrical scenery, rigor, and recognition of Repertorio Español as a first class company on a global scale.
The Pablo Tobón Uribe Theatre of Medellín wants to host Cita a ciegas, as does the National Theatre of Bogota and the Sociedad Privada de Barranquilla, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. I think it is very much a possibility that there can be a second tour next Spring.”

The tour may be over, but Cita a ciegas is back at Repertorio for the 2014-2015 season. Check out Repertorio’s main website for ticket information and stay alert for updates on another tour of this exciting and intriguing play that has captured the hearts and minds of theatergoers the world over.

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Meet the Cast of “Aire Frío”

Qué felices son las Barbies!

Meet the Romaguera family, the protagonists of Repertorio’s first production of the 2014-2015 season, Aire frío. The play follows the story of the strong willed pillar of the family, the anxious Luz Marina Romaguera, in her desperate 20 year struggle to find two things in life; a husband and an electric fan to keep her sane from the heat of 1950s Havana.

Repertorio will be premiering this groundbreaking play on Saturday, September 13th at 8PM, in addition to a special performance that Sunday at 2PM with a post-show panel discussion jointly with The Cuban Cultural Center of New York.

For tickets and more information, visit www.repertorio.org/aire or call (212) 225-9999

 

Zulema Clares
Country of Origin: Cuba
Role: Luz Marina Romaguera

Zulema Clares ORIGINAL (Color)

Zulema Clares is one of the Latino stage’s most recognizable faces, performing in an impressive number of productions at any given time as well as having garnered various important awards and recognitions. A graduate of Cuba’s National Arts School, her film and stage credits are many. At Repertorio, she is (currently) in “The House of Bernarda Alba,” “In the Time of the Butterflies,” “The Shoemaker’s Prodigious Wife,” “Blind Date” and “Love in the Time of Cholera,” among others. This year alone, she will be in two of Repertorio’s four new productions, including “Aire frío” and the golden-age play “El loco por fuerza” by Félix Lope de Vega. Ironically, this will be the first time Clares will portray a Cuban character at Repertorio.

 

Ana Margarita Martínez-Casado
Country of Origin: Cuba
Role: Ana Romaguera

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Ana Margarita Martínez-Casado is a prolific actress on both the stage and screen. Born in Camaguey, Cuba to a family of four generations of actors, singers and artists, she started a singing and acting career young, performing in various Zarzuelas in Cuba from the age of seventeen. Martínez-Casado famously portrayed the character of Juana Peña in the groundbreaking series, ¿Que pasa USA?, one of the first and only bilingual sit-coms that won her a regional Emmy. Among her many projects, performances and awards, Martínez-Casado has been in over thirty productions in Repertorio Español since 1973.

 

Frank Robles
Country of Origin: Puerto Rico
Role: Angel Romaguera

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A pioneer of Latino theater in New York City, Frank Robles is a co-founder of INTAR Theater and has won many awards, including a New York State Achievement Award for contribution to the arts in 1974, as well as an award from the Institute of Culture of Puerto Rico. He has worked in countless productions in both English and Spanish, including “Crossover Dreams” alongside Ruben Blades. He has been seen in many productions in Repertorio Español, including “Bodas de sangre,” “La celestina,” and currently in “La gringa.”

 

Sandor Juan
Country of Origin: Cuba
Role: Enrique Romaguera

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Sandor Juan began acting at age fifteen in a Telemundo series called, “De Padres a Hijos.” Mr. Juan also made his film debut appearing alongside Marisa Tomei in “The Perez Family,” a film directed by Mira Nair. In 2001 he enrolled at “New World School of the Arts” where he studied modern American Theater and the Hagen technique. He also attends Bobby Moresco’s workshop “The Actor’s Gym.” Other credits include the TV shows “Burn Notice” and “The Tonight Show” with Conan O’Brien. Mr. Juan’s theatre credits include “Matacumbe,” Jean Anouilh’s “The Traveler Without Luggage,” and Nilo Cruz’s ‘The Color of desire.” He made his premiere at Repertorio Español in “Probation” and would go on to act in the hit-comedy “La nena se casa” by Carlos Ferrari.

 

Pablo Andrade
Country of Origin: Venezuela
Role: Oscar Romaguera

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Pablo Andrade has most recently received two HOLA awards for his performances in the plays “Noche tan linda” at the Puerto Rican Travelling Theater and “El loco por fuerza” in Repertorio Español. He was also invited to the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts’ Cultural Visitors Program for Actors. Other credits in New York include “Por gusto” (Repertorio Español), “Cuentos de guerra para dormir en paz” (Corezon), “Balm in Gilead” (HB Playwrights Foundation), “Agravios de fortuna” (TEBA), among others.

 

Erick Gonzalez
Country of Origin: Puerto Rico
Role: Luis Romaguera

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Erick Gonzalez in a remarkably dynamic actor whose credits in New York City alone are an impressive collection of both English and Spanish language productions. This will be his second production at Repertorio, the first being the role of Feliciano in Félix Lope de Vega’s Golden Age era play, El loco por fuerza, also directed by Leyma López. The list of stages, theatres and companies he has appeared in include The West End Theatre, the Premiere Stages, the Frog and Peache Theatre Co., the NY Shakespeare Exhange, Hip to Hip Theatre Company, the Wild Project and many more.

 

Idalmis García
Country of Origin: Cuba
Role: Laura

Idalmis Garcia
Idalmis García graduated from the University of Havana with a degree in Art History, working extensively in theatre, film and television both in Cuba and the United States. Her credits are many, and include a wide array of international productions in Cuba, New York, and Germany. She was most recently seen in the HOLA award winning production, “Noche tan linda” by Pablo García- Gamez at the Puerto Rican Travelling Theater.

 

Annia Bu
Country of Origin: Cuba
Role: Laura

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Annia Bu received her B.F.A in Acting from Cuba’s Instituto Superior de Arte. Her film credits in both Cuba and the United States are many and include “Los dioses rotos” (2008), “El cuerno de la abundancia” (2009), and “Larga distancia” 2010. She has taken many awards from various distinguished international film festivals in the United States, Brazil and Cuba. This will be Bu’s second production at Repertorio, the first being El loco por fuerza by Félix Lope de Vega.

 

Mario Mattei
Country of Origin: Puerto Rico
Role: Vendedor, Miranda, Don Benigno y Pepe

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Mario Mattei is a native of Puerto Rico and a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, having studied drama there. As a student, he came into contact with director Dean Zayas, a pioneer and instrumental figure in the theatrical movement in Puerto Rico. A master of both the stage and the screen, Mattei openly prefers theater and considers it to be a demanding and challenging, though rewarding, vehicle for dramatic expression.

Mattei is a hallmark of Repertorio’s company of actors, holding roles in productions like “El Quijote” and “Crónica de una muerte anunciada,” both directed by Jorge Alí Triana, “La fiesta del chivo” and Carmen Rivera’s groundbreaking play “La gringa” which still continues to sell out theaters to this day.

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It’s Summer at Repertorio!

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It is officially summer in the city, which means Repertorio is in the full swing of its summer session!

The theatre is offering up a specially curated summer season. Alongside the incredible plays you can find year round like En el tiempo de las mariposas and Cita a ciegas, new plays like Barceló con hielo and the Van Lier Series display the products of young, talented Latino writers, directors and actors flexing their muscle and sharpening their artistic skills on Repertorio’s Stage. Check out just some of the amazing shows that these young Latino artists have put together!

 

BARCELÓ CON HIELO
(BARCELÓ ON THE ROCKS)

By Marco Antonio Rodríguez
Directed by José Zayas

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Javier Fano & Ivan Camilo in “Barceló con hielo” (Photo courtesy of Michael Palma) 

Repertorio’s summer hit has received rave reviews from many publications and networks, including TimeOut New York, The Huffington Post, Univision41 and many others.

The play follows the story of the miserly Nino Antonio Ortíz whose hallucinations of former Domincan president Joaquín Balaguer force him to confront the dark secrets of his family embedded in the Caribbean nation’s history. Simultaneously, he must confront the debilitating effects of both his illness and children as he deteriorates in his Washington Heights home.

A perfect mix of history, culture, comedy and tragedy, “Barceló con hielo” is a story with a universal message based on the psyche of not only Dominican immigrants, but anyone who has experienced to some degree the psychological and emotional effects of leaving home.

“Barceló con hielo” premiered at Repertorio Español on Friday, June 13th at 8pm.
SCHEDULE, TICKETS AND INFORMATION: http://www.repertorio.org/barcelo or call 1-212-225-9999

 

 

EL CRUCE SOBRE EL NIÁGARA*
(CROSSING NIAGARA)

By Alonso Alegría Amézquita
Directed by Victoria Collado

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Jorge Riverón & Eric Paterniani (Photo courtesy of Michael Palma) 

What happens when a famous tightrope walker is questioned on the genuineness of his act by a young scientist? They cross Niágara together, of course. El cruce sobre el Niágara is an excellent production by the young Victoria Collado that will make you laugh, gasp and marvel. Using Collado’s passion for incorporating dance and movement into her plays, El cruce sobre el Niágara is an exciting production that is guaranteed to leave you feeling good.

“El cruce sobre el Niágara” premiered at Repertorio Español on July 3rd at 7pm.
SCHEDULE, TICKETS AND INFORMATION: http://www.repertorio.org/niagara or call 1-212-225-9999

 

 

FIN DE SEMANA*
(WEEKEND)

By Julio Ramón Ribeyro
Directed by Diego Chiri

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“Fin de semana” is a lost treasure by one of Peru’s most prolific writers, Julio Ramón Ribeyro. Known mostly for his short stories and essays, the writer also produced beautifully written plays of which many are rarely produced. Directed by Diego Chiri, the play follows what happens when an indigenous child dies on the property of a private club. A young architect is forced to decide between protecting those of his social class or report the negligence, provoking a look at the dark side of class and race in Peru and Latin America.

“Fin de semana” will premiere at Repertorio Español on Thursday, July 24th at 7pm.
SCHEDULE, TICKETS AND INFORMATION: http://www.repertorio.org/semana or call 1-212-225-9999

 

 

ASÍ VAN LOS FANTASMAS DE MÉXICO, PRIMERA PARTE*
(SO GO THE GHOSTS OF MEXICO, PART ONE)

By Matthew Paul Olmos
Directed by Estefania Fadul

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The first part of a three-play cycle by Matthew Paul Olmos, Así van los fantasmas de México (Primera Parte), directed by Estefania Fadul, is a jarring look at the U.S/Mexico drug wars. Based on true events, a young woman volunteers to become the police chief in her village rife with violence and corruption. Using her new position to inspire pacifism and non-violence, she sparks a series of events that will affect her, her family, her enemies and her society as a whole.

“Así van los fantasmas de México (primera parte)” will premiere at Repertorio Español on Thursday, August 14th at 7pm.
SCHEDULE, TICKETS AND INFORMATION: http://www.repertorio.org/fantasmas or call 1-212-225-9999

 

 

*This production is part of the 2014-2015 Van Lier Directing Fellowship, sponsored by The New York Community Trust. For more information visit www.repertorio.org/vanlier

 

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Meet the New Van Lier Fellowship Directors!

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Every two years, Repertorio hand in hand with The New York Community Trust has chosen three accomplished, young, Hispanic directors the opportunity to hone their craft on Repertorio’s iconic stage. Now charged with two productions over two summers – one contemporary play in 2014 and a Siglo de oro (17th century Spanish) play in 2015 – Repertorio proudly welcomes Victoria Collado, Diego Chiri and Estefania Fadul and looks forward to the great energy these talented individuals will bring!

Their plays, El cruce sobre el Niágara, Fin de semana and Así van los fantasmas de México (primera parte) will be playing all summer. So check out the newest members of the familia Repertorio and don’t forget to buy your tickets to these three great plays!

For tickets, visit www.repertorio.org/fellowship or call (212) 225 9999

 

VICTORIA COLLADO

Vitoria Collado by Synapse Shots

HOMETOWN: Miami, Florida
BACKGROUND: Cuban
2014 PRODUCTION: El cruce sobre el Niágara by Alonso Alegría

Victoria Collado is a native of Miami, Florida of Cuban background and is a graduate of Florida International University where she received her BFA in Theatre Performance.

Both an actress and director, she is influenced by the works of Brecht, Pina Bausch and Agusto Boal and is very interested in mixing movement with naturalist plays to create an exciting energy in the theatre. Back in Miami, she directed for MicroTeatro Miami, What If Works and other theatres in the area.

She has chosen El cruce sobre el Niagara (Crossing the Niágara) as her New York Premiere, though her previous work on Los últimos días de una casa was nominated for an ACE award as well as an ATI Award win for Best Director of a Monologue.

El cruce sobre el Niágara by Alonso Alegría will be premiering at Repertorio on July 3rd. Following the story of an acrobat who is questioned by a skeptical young man, he is impelled to do what he has never done before – cross the Niagara with a man on his back.

 

DIEGO CHIRI

Diego M. Chiri by Natt McFee

HOMETOWN: Lima, Perú
BACKGROUND: Peruvian
2014 PRODUCTION: Fin de semana by Julio Ramón Ribeyro

Diego M. Chiri is a native of Lima, Peru – a graduate of the Champagnat High School and going on to graduate from the Community College of Philadelphia and Bucknell University with Cum Laude honors and degrees in Film and Theatre.

Diego has an impressive directing history in both film and theatre, having directed Ashes (2010), The Zoo Story (2011) and the documentary Devising the American Family (2012) which was screened at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Throughout his education, he garnered various scholarships and academic accolades, including the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship, the CCP Foundation Scholarship, and membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

A fan of the work of Julio Ramón Ribeyro – particularly the writer’s lesser known scripts – Diego will be directing the powerful Fin de semana (Weekend) by said author, premiering July 24th. Following the death of an indigenous child on the property of a private club in 1960s Lima, the architect of the building must decide between reporting the negligence or protecting his own social class – a decision made more difficult by the clubs owner, an oligarch capable of anything when his interests are threatened.

 

ESTEFANÍA FADUL

Estefanía Fadul by Shelly Rodríguez

HOMETOWN: Hannover, New Hampshire
BACKGROUND: Colombian
2014 PRODUCTION: Así van los fantasmas de México, primera parte by Matthew Paul Olmos

Estefania Fadul is a Colombian born, New Hampshire raised director with her own company – Pleiades Productions – of which she is Artistic Director. Aside from that impressive feat, she has also directed and co-produced various readings, workshops and productions including Well by Lisa Kron and Persephone by Mathew Minnicino (FringeNYC). She has assisted various directors like Ed Sylvanus Iskandar (The Flea), Jo Bonney (MCC), Sheryl Kaller (Powerhouse Theatre/NYSAF), Tracy Young (Oregon Shakespeare Festival) and Michael Barakiva (Upstart Creatures).

A graduate of Vassar College, she has also studied at the Prague Film School and the Lincoln Center Theatre Directors Lab.

For her first Van Lier production at Repertorio, Estefania has chosen Así van los fantasmas de México, Primera Parte (So Go the Ghosts of México, Part One) by Matthew Paul Olmos, a fascinating play exploring the effect of the current U.S/Mexican drug wars. Inspired by true events, a young woman becomes the police chief of her village when nobody else dares to. Armed with a pacifist message, she must reevaluate the worth of her fight after she sets off a chain of events.

 

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