FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Alexandra Meda, Executive Director
|
Office: 773.819.5862
Teatro Luna presents the World Premiere of “Living Large in A Mini Kind of Way” by leading Latina Theatre artist Diane Rodriguez
For the first time, Teatro Luna goes beyond its trademark devised projects to produce a play by a Latina playwright outside their ensemble
Previews begin May 6 2012 | Opens May 10, 2012 at THE VIADUCT
(Chicago, IL) April 12, 2012. Living Large in a Mini Kind of Way, a new work by one of the top Latina artists of the American Theatre Diane Rodriguez, launches a new adventure for Teatro Luna—a firm commitment to producing single-author plays in addition to their trademark devised projects.
The Los Angeles-based, Obie winner Rodriguez, who directs her own play as a guest artist, states: “What excites me about working with the ladies of Teatro Luna is that they have been working together for eleven years and have a vocabulary, a methodology and an audience.”
“Diane’s play asks some specific questions to illustrate different aspects of the immigration drama,” says Alexandra Meda, Executive Director of Teatro Luna.
Based on a real-life story, Living Large asks us to consider What would you do if you didn't have a social security number? And how far would you go for those 9 precious digits that could change your life?
Mingling a sassy comedy with a thought-provoking atypical immigration drama, Rodriguez illuminates pressing, universal issues about identity and privilege. Luna brings its unique blend of humor and honesty to this hilarious and sharp exploration of the American Dream.
“The past year has been filled with a lot of firsts for us, and now we can add even more to the list: getting to work with a World-class and nationally recognized artist. Working with someone of Diane’s caliber is both humbling and inspiring--- it will provide a huge learning opportunity for all of us here at Luna. This will also be our first guest equity contract so we are getting to work with the inimitable Sandra Marquez (of Teatro Vista). It’s a lot for firsts, but these challenges are truly exciting,” adds Meda.
“I felt very excited and flattered that Alex and Diane asked me to participate in this project as both an ensemble cast member as well as a mentor of sorts to the Ladies of Teatro Luna. I think it is an important time to provide opportunities for Latina work to be produced, and this is a great project to collaborate with an all-female company dedicated to this kind of work” says Sandra Marquez, who will also be directing the following Teatro Luna production, PUTAS! by TL ensemble member Liza Ann Acosta.
WHAT: Living Large in A Mini Kind of Way, a new play, presented by TEATRO LUNA
WHO: Written & Directed by Diane Rodriguez^
Featuring: Amanda DeLaGuardia, Miranda Gonzalez*, Sandra Marquez+, Madrid St.Angelo, and Isabel Quintero.
(*Denotes Ensemble Member of Teatro Luna ** Denotes Artistic Associate of Teatro Luna +Denotes member of Actors Equity ^Member of SDC)
Production: Produced by Alexandra Meda for Teatro Luna.
Stage-managed by Patricia Radford.
Set Design by Brian Sydney Bembridge.
Lighting Design by Mac Vaughey**
Costume Design by Christine Pascual**.
Sound Design by Steven Yaussi
WHERE: Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Avenue, Mainstage (not our home, LUNA CENTRAL 3914 N. Clark)
WHEN: Previews May 6, 3:00 & 6:00 pm May 7, 7: 30 pm May 9, 7:30
Pm. | Opens May 10, 2012 7:30 pm OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION TO
FOLLOW | Plays Thursdays - Saturdays 7:30 pm Sundays at 3 & 6 pm May
10 - June 17 2012 | PRESS OPENING NIGHTS: MAY 10, 2012 & MAY 11, 2012
HOW MUCH: $12-$40 available online, over the phone, and at the door, visit www.teatroluna.org to purchase or call 773.819.5862
**PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
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About Diane Rodriguez
Schooled in activist art, Diane Rodriguez is a prominent American theatre artist based in Los Angeles. She has directed and developed the new work of some of the most prominent new playwrights in the last fifteen years including Nilo Cruz, Lynn Nottage, and Migdalia Cruz, among many others.
With Luis Alfaro, Rodriguez co-wrote “Los Vecinos: A Play for Neighbors” and “The Ballad of Ginger Esparza.” For ten years she was a resident artist and Director of the Latino Theatre Initiative at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Currently, she is Associate Producer and Director of New Play Production for the Center Theatre Group. In 2007, she won an Off Broadway OBIE Award in performance (Best Ensemble). She was awarded a NEA/TCG Early Career Director Development Award in 1998, and in 2003 as well as 2007 she was awarded a TCG/NEA New Generations Mentorship grant. She received a Directors/Choreographers Foundation Award in 1997 to support the direction of
her play, “Los Vecinos”.
About Teatro Luna
Teatro Luna is Chicago’s only all-Latina theatre dedicated to creating original devised and single-author work by Latinas that honors Latina lives and showcases the talents of Latina/Hispana artists.
Founded in 2000, Teatro Luna is dedicated to expanding the range of Latina/Hispana roles visible on the Chicago stage and beyond. Some of our most well-known work includes: Generic Latina, The Maria Chronicles, S-E-X-Oh!, Lunatic(a)s, Machos, GL 2010: Not Your Generic Latina, & Crossed (Immigrant = Mexican?). TL tours colleges/universities, festivals and venues across the country with a blend of ensemble-created performances, workshops, and lectures.
Central to its mission is Teatro Luna’s commitment to nurture Latina talent and develop new plays, and this is primarily served by our ambitious Luna Labs. Additionally, our education department offers unique year-round programs to both Adult Women of Color and Youth. Teatro Luna is the country’s only Pan-Latina Theatre Company to have a physical home. Come and spend some time with the Ladies of Luna at Luna Central: An Arts Center for New & Diverse Work, 3914. N Clark St.