Teatro Luna Announces New Leadership Team

"The only job of the artist is to keep changing," Luis Alfaro, playwright of Victory Gardens' recent success Oedipus El Rey, told a room full of theater practitioners at a recent workshop in Chicago. His words especially resonated with Executive Director and newly minted Ensemble member Alexandra Meda of Teatro Luna, a company whose leadership transitions in recent years have evolved into a new organizational structure infused with lots of new blood. A company which has built its niche in autobiographical and ethnographic ensemble-devised work, Teatro Luna is no stranger to change and responding to challenges on its feet. In that spirit, Chicago's all-Latina theatre company bursts into its 12th season with the induction of a slew of new Latina talent.

Teatro Luna's new leadership structure eschews traditional models and embraces its ensemble-driven philosophy across the boundaries of arts and administration. Kristiana Rae Colón, former Artistic Associate and Crossed cast member, will become a new Ensemble member and the Director of Artistic Programs. Gabriela Ortiz Flores, former Artistic Associate and Crossed writing contributor, will also become a new Ensemble member and is the Lead Developer for TL's next devised work about Supermujeres, women who serve and protect. They join Liza Ann Acosta, playwright of the forthcoming Putas, and Executive Director Alexandra Meda to form Teatro Luna's Ensemble.Suzette Mayobre has moved on to become Ensemble Emeritus along with Lauren Villegas.

Teatro Luna's team of Artistic Associates will also be exploding with new energy in Season 12: Crossed cast memberPaula Ramirez will step up as TL's new Artistic Programs Coordinator, along with Crossed cast member Abigail Vega, who is the new Managing Director. Outgoing Interim Lunadas Reading Series Director Alyssa Vera Ramos, Director of Operations & Facilities Patricia Radford, Crossed cast member Sydney Charles, and Living Large cast member Amanda DeLaGuardia also join Petrucia Finkler, Desiree Castro, Melissa Duprey, Karla Estela Rivera, Christine Pascual, and Mac Vaughey as the league of Artistic Associates.

Making room for all of the talent streaming through the doors of Teatro Luna's new artistic home, Luna Central, a new membership option has been created - Artistic Affiliate. Its inaugural members include Elizabeth Nungaray, Teatro Luna Intern and Columbia College student, Emilio Williams, Director of New Business Development, and Melissa Huerta, new Literary Manager.

In true Luna fashion, the new blood will celebrate their induction in September at one of the upcoming Noches Calientes events that will occur every Wednesday at Luna Central through December. As summer cools down, Season 12 will just be heating up as the fresh faces of Teatro Luna flip the script. Stay tuned for our forthcoming Season Announcement that includes big moves in education, touring, one-night events, and our new media department, and of course our Mainstage performances that feature new stories that will change everything you thought you knew about how Teatro Luna dialogues about our role as Women in our families and communities.

 

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