The Sol Project Announces New Members Of Leadership Team

The Sol Project (Jacob G. Padrón, Artistic Director), the national theater initiative dedicated to amplifying Latinx voices and building a body of work for the new American theater, is proud to announce that founding member and artistic producer David Mendizábal will become the Associate Artistic Director, beginning immediately. Rebecca Martinez and Julian Ramirez will also join the company as members of the artistic collective.

Jacob G. Padrón, Founder and Artistic Director of The Sol Project stated, "This expansion of our leadership team marks a wonderful and important chapter in the life of The Sol Project. These artists represent the very best of what our initiative stands for as we continue the work of seeding systemic change, creating meaningful partnerships, and helping to build a more inclusive American theater."

David Mendizábal is a director, designer, and one of the Producing Artistic Leaders of The Movement Theatre Company, where he recently helped produce the NY premiere of WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN by Aleshea Harris, directed by Whitney White. At The Movement, David has developed and directed several new plays including: AND SHE WOULD STAND LIKE THIS by Harrison David Rivers, choreographed by Kia LaBeija, LOOK UPON OUR LOWLINESS by Harrison David Rivers, and BINTOU by Koffi Kwahulé, translated by Chantal Bilodeau. David was a participant in the Leadership U: One-on-One program, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications Group where he served as the Artistic Associate at the Atlantic Theater Company. He is a member of the Latinx Theatre Commons Steering Committee, Rattlestick Literary Team, and Wingspace. Alumnus of The Drama League, Lincoln Center Director's Lab, LAByrinth Intensive Ensemble, NALAC Leadership Institute, and artEquity. He received his BFA from NYU/Tisch.

"The Latinx theatre community is abundant with new voices and visions for an inclusive American Theatre, but too often these voices have been silenced or ignored. I am thrilled to continue working with The Sol Project to create space for the development of Latinx artists and to aid in connecting them with artistic homes in New York City and across the country," said David Mendizábal. "As an artist and leader the core values of joy, rigor and generosity, which steer The Sol Project's mission, resonant deeply with my own personal values and I can't wait to see the initiative grow."

The Sol Project is driven by an artistic collective of actors, directors and producers comprised of the founding members of the company: Claudia Acosta, Adriana Gaviria, David Mendizábal, Jacob Padrón and Laurie Woolery. Rebecca Martinez and Julian Ramirez will join this collective and will be instrumental in supporting the expansion of The Sol Project's work over the coming years. Founding members Elena Araoz and Kyoung Park have moved into advisory roles.

"Today, Latinx people throughout the U.S. (and beyond) are politicized, dehumanized, and criminalized, making it more critical than ever for our stories to be spoken and heard," said Rebecca Martinez. "But it's not enough for Latinx theatre makers to create work, it must be seen and produced. When I first learned of the conversations that sparked The Sol Project, I wanted to support them in any way possible. I am honored to be a part of the family and to work alongside these immensely talented artists. I have seen firsthand what the power of a collective, a movement, and our expansive theatre community can achieve."

Rebecca Martínez is a Brooklyn-based director, choreographer, deviser, and ensemble member of Sojourn Theatre. Her upcoming and current projects include Anna in the Tropics (Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs), Wolf at the Door (Milagro Theatre, NNPN rolling world premiere), DON'T GO (Sojourn Theatre), Songs About Trains (Radical Evolution/New Ohio). Recent projects: [Director] Antigonick (Fordham University), Pork Kidneys to Soothe Despair (Drama League DirectorFest), Tomás and the Library Lady (Oregon Children's Theatre). [Associate Director] How to End Poverty in 90 Minutes (Sojourn Theatre + Cleveland Public Theatre), The Cake (PlayMakers Repertory Company). Rebecca has worked with INTAR, Fordham/Primary Stages, Artists Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, the Lark, the 52nd Street Project, and Poetic Theater among others.

"I am extremely honored and thankful to Jacob and the entire team of The Sol Project for opening their doors to me at this time," stated Julian Ramirez. "I have been a fan of their mission and creative endeavors for a long time now and I am thrilled to be joining the collective at a time when Latinx visibility can be powerful tools artistically and politically. My passions marry beautifully with those of The Sol Project and I'm prepared to make the most out of this platform for the betterment of myself and the Latinx community."

Julian Ramirez is a talent manager at Lasher Group where he works with clients including Academy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winner Viola Davis, Academy and Tony Award-winner Alan Arkin, and Academy Award nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno, amongst other artists recognized in the film, television, and theater spaces. Prior to working as a talent manager, Julian worked in casting at Manhattan Theater Club and in production at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. He has returned to the Kennedy Center to associate direct the Artes de Cuba Festival as well as to work on the Hispanic Heritage Awards broadcasted on PBS.

Founder and Artistic Director Jacob G. Padrón will continue to lead The Sol Project as he begins his new position as Artistic Director at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut next year.

The Sol Project is a national theater initiative dedicated to producing the work of Latinx playwrights in New York City and beyond. Founded by Artistic Director, Jacob G. Padrón and driven by an artistic collective, The Sol Project works in partnership with leading theaters around the country to amplify Latinx voices and build artistic homes for artists of color. Through the writers we champion, Sol aims to create a bold, powerful, and kaleidoscopic body of work for the new American theater. The Sol Project launched with the world premiere of Alligator by Hilary Bettis in collaboration with New Georges, followed by the New York premieres of Seven Spots on the Sun by Martín Zimmerman (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater) and Oedipus El Rey by Luis Alfaro (The Public Theater). Last fall, The Sol Project partnered with Yale Repertory Theatre to produce the world premiere of El Huracán by Charise Castro Smith. The founding artistic collective is: Claudia Acosta, Elena Araoz, Adriana Gaviria, David Mendizábal, Kyoung Park, and Laurie Woolery. Brian Herrera is the Resident Scholar. Stephanie Ybarra is the Resident Dramaturg. Our partners include: Atlantic Theater Company, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Cara Mía Theatre Company, LAByrinth Theater Company, MCC Theater, New Georges, New York Theatre Workshop, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Playwrights Horizons, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, The Playwrights Realm, The Public Theater, WP Theater and Yale Repertory Theatre. Our honorary board includes: Raúl Castillo (HBO's Looking), Junot Díaz (Pulitzer Prize-winning author), Priscilla Lopez (Tony Award-winning actress), Sandra Marquez (Steppenwolf ensemble member), Edward James Olmos (Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor), John Ortiz (co-star, Silver Linings Playbook), Tony Plana (ABC's Ugly Betty), Chita Rivera (Presidential Medal of Freedom), Diane Rodriguez (OBIE-winning actress, member of National Arts Council) Rosalba Rolón (Artistic Director of Pregones/PRTT) and Daphne Rubin-Vega (Tony nominated-actress, original company of Rent).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT

WWW.THESOLPROJECT.ORG

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