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REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL PRESENTS THE WINNING PLAY OF THE 2015 METLIFE ‘NUESTRAS VOCES’ NATIONAL PLAYWRITING COMPETITION  “BLIND SPOT”

REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL PRESENTS THE WINNING PLAY OF THE 2015 METLIFE ‘NUESTRAS VOCES’ NATIONAL PLAYWRITING COMPETITION  “BLIND SPOT”
REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL PRESENTS THE WINNING PLAY OF THE 2015 METLIFE ‘NUESTRAS VOCES’ NATIONAL PLAYWRITING COMPETITION  “BLIND SPOT”
REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL PRESENTS THE WINNING PLAY OF THE 2015 METLIFE ‘NUESTRAS VOCES’ NATIONAL PLAYWRITING COMPETITION  “BLIND SPOT”
REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL PRESENTS THE WINNING PLAY OF THE 2015 METLIFE ‘NUESTRAS VOCES’ NATIONAL PLAYWRITING COMPETITION  “BLIND SPOT”

Repertorio Español presents the premiere of “Blind Spot” (Punto ciego) by Gerardo Cárdenas and directed by José Zayas on Saturday, July 8th at 8PM.

In recent years, the military has tried to draw in immigrants with programs that allow enlistees to become citizens after basic training, attracting about 5,000 takers each year, according to the Defense Department. One out of every 13 sailors is foreign born, the highest proportion in any military branch, according to the Navy. The service regularly holds citizenship ceremonies aboard ships.  At the same time, the proportion of racial and ethnic minorities in the military, mirroring the nation as a whole, has surged to 40 percent — nearly twice what it was 20 years ago.

The winning play of the 2015 MetLife “Nuestras Voces” National Playwriting Competition, “Blind Spot” tells the story of Ramón García, an undocumented immigrant seeking his own version of the American Dream: the hope for a new life given by citizenship papers after serving his country, and the happiness of being able to build a better future. He never saw an unexpected turn coming from a blind spot that would transform his life, and that of his family, into a bitter awakening and the realization of being a small piece in a huge political board.

“Blind Spot” will be presented in Spanish with captions in English and Spanish at Repertorio Español’s Gramercy Arts Theatre on 138 East 27th Street in Manhattan, New York.

Starring Pedro de León (Repertorio Español debut), Zulema Clares, Alfonso Rey, Gerardo Gudiño, Sandor Juan, Hannia Guillen and Gonzalo Trigueros (Repertorio Español debut).

 

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Photos by Michael Palma

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Metlife’s “Nuestras Voces” National Playwright Competition 2016 Deadline

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The finalist for the 2015 Metlife Nuestras Voces National Playwright Competition have been announced and their plays will receive dramatized readings at Repertorio Español starting  June 13 and ending on June 23rd. The 2015 finalist include: Ken Prestininzi, Puy Navarro, Gerardo Cárdenas (winner of the 2015 Metlife Nuestras Voces Competition), Tlolac Rivas and Ricardo Peréz. For more information and a schedule these readings please visit: http://repertorio.nyc/#/performances

The Metlife Nuestras Voces National Playwright Competition is made possible thanks to the Metlife Foundation. The Metlife Foundation was created by Metlife in order to maintain their long tradition of corporate contributions and commitment to the community. Recognizing the importance of arts in our community, Metlife Foundation contributes financially to various artistic and cultural organizations through the country; with the goal to increase opportunities for our youth, reach larder audiences and to make the arts accessible to all. For the past 17 years, Metlife and Repertorio have been working together to bring awareness to dozens of Latino plays and playwrights throughout the nation.

For aspiring playwright, there’s still time to submit your play for the 2016 round of the Metlife Nuestras Voces National Playwright Competition! The deadline to submit your work is Wednesday, June 1st, 2016. For additional information and requirement, please visit: http://repertorio.nyc/#/opportunities

 

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Don’t miss the last 2 performances of Señorita 744890

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Photo by Michael Palma

This past February Repertorio welcomed the premiere of Metlife “Nuestras Voces” National Playwright Competition 2014 winning play Señorita 744890 by Mariana Carreño King. This play has proven to be unique because as described by Carlos Navedo from Impacto Latin News “…the production, the direction, and the script are superb.” For 90 minutes we embark on a journey that makes us laugh, gasp and even question reality versus imagination. This play composed only of 3 characters—Maria, a voice, and the corrections officer Howard—has enchanted our audience.

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However, Señorita 744890 could not have been such an outstanding play without the passion and preparation of the actors behind each character. Maria, also known as señorita 744890, is portrayed by Zulema Clares who once again showed us all she is a multifaceted actress. Maria finds herself in solitary confinement and is tortured by a voice that doesn’t leave her alone; Zulema embraced this tortured character and for the length of the play we forget it’s an actress interpreting a role and we believe Maria is walking on stage trying to escape her reality and the voice that torments her.

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Behind this voice is Ines Del Castillo, who makes her presence felt on stage. Like a shadow not leaving Maria alone, Ines drives Maria to ultimately accept this voice as her new cellmate. Last but certainly not least, Howard–the corrections officer responsible for guarding Maria’s cell–is played by Bobby Plasencia. Bobby showcases the strictness and discipline we image an officer in a jail would have but simultaneously shows the audience the human side of Howard. Without this triplet, along with the exceptional writing of Mariana Carreño King and the stellar direction of Daniel Jáquez, Senorita 744890 could not have been the beautiful production it has turned out to be.

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With only two performances left, one this Friday March 25th at 8:00pm and the last performance on April 3rd at 6:30pm, this is an experience you can’t miss!

Check out this short clip of Señorita 748890 here: Señorita 744890 (Miss 744890)

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PHOTOS: “Señorita 744890” rehearsal pictures

Last week we heard from Mariana Carreño King on the writing process behind Señorita 744890. Now we’re giving you an exclusive look at the rehearsals for this new production.

Check out some of Michael Palma’s behind the scenes pictures as the actors and crew prepare for the premiere of Señorita 744890 this Friday, February 5th at 8:00 pm.

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Director Daniel Jáquez with Inés del Castillo

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Director Daniel Jáquez with assistant director Cristina Viesca and Inés del Castillo

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Bobby Plasencia and Zulema Clares

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Bobby Plasencia and director Daniel Jáquez

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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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