Showing posts with label ¡VOS!. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ¡VOS!. Show all posts

27 April, 2025

Adios, ¡VOS!

the one & only ©Michael Kushner

 Gracias, VOS. And adiós por ahora.
 
This experience has meant so much to me.
It has been a chance to portray two glorious, full-bodied, mature, brilliant Latin women.
It has been to create these characters in its world premiere.
It has been an honor participating in Christina’s debut as a playwright.
 
But it has been an antidote to a rewarding tough few years in the American theatre. Thanks to Nicole A Watson and Christina Pumariega — not only was my whole self welcome, it was celebrated. And that’s a gift indeed. 

In truth, it has been years. Years since the fire has dimmed to embers. 

The thought of stepping into a rehearsal room made my ribs tighten like a too-small corset. I thought I’d lost it—the hunger, the deep ache for the theatre. 

Then came this strange, quiet miracle: Nicole's room. A space built from listening. A director who saw past the residue of my disillusionment and asked nothing more than presence, than truth. And Christina—with her words like spiritual scaffolding. Her script didn’t demand performance; it extended a hand and whispered, "you're home."

And then there was the theatre itself—Two River. A sanctuary in red brick and soft light, where ghosts and futures meet. It held us gently. No, reverently. I found myself walking into the building and exhaling without realizing I’d been holding my breath for years. In that rehearsal room, beneath the soft hum of collaboration and care, I remembered. Not just how to act. But why. I found myself again in the silence between cues, in the sparkling mischief in the eyes of a scene partner, in the courage to stand still and let something real arrive. 

After all the disillusionment, the heartbreak, the long winter of burnout, this was spring. And its name was VOS.

Thank you Puma for your beautiful play and for being a generous and glorious scene partner and creator.
Thank you Nicole for the room you created and the vision you fostered.
Thank you to our incredible SM team lead by Jynelly Rosario. 
Thank you to our designers who enhanced the beauty of this 1000 fold. 
And to Two River Theater — one of the greatest theatres I have ever worked with, who treat their artists so well. 
 
And thank you Ana and Dr. Cossí—it was an honor to serve you. 
“Okay we done” 




24 April, 2025

The Dressing Room Project: ¡VOS!

The Dressing Room Project is the brain child of Michael Kushner (my friend and fave photographer of my face), where he takes his camera, his discerning eye, his incredible person-ability to bring the best out of actors preparing to go onstage, all married with his unparalleled taste to bring you images unlike any other. Actors preparing. Actors before the world sees them. Intimate, Engaging. 

 Michael was generous enough to come out to Two River Theater to photograph Christina and I before VOS, and how lucky we were and are. Enjoy. 

©Michael Kushner
 
©Michael Kushner

©Michael Kushner

©Michael Kushner

©Michael Kushner

©Michael Kushner

©Michael Kushner

©Michael Kushner

©Michael Kushner

©Michael Kushner

©Michael Kushner

11 April, 2025

¡VOS! – a world premiere

Opening Night of the world premiere of ¡VOS! at Two River Theatre.
 
All hail this female TRIUMPH of a play. This glorious, funny, warm, loving, moving, beautiful story full of history and heart. It has been an honor to be a part of the BIRTH of this piece, create these characters alongside the brilliant actor/playwright Christina Pumariega and with the peerless leadership of Nicole A Watson. 
 
What a rehearsal room (of all women— including our glorious SM team, dramaturg and AD!) This also marks my first theatre contract as a Latina actor (this one is for you Noriega family—finally!), my 7th world premiere, and marks my 20th year in the professional theatre. 
 
I’m so proud to be a part of this show I could burst.
 
As Dr. Cossí says: “Okay we done!” 
 
Let’s party.

photo by @motendesigns (also our phenomenal scenic designer)


A play is nothing without the team that makes it. It takes a village. 

That village is:

Playwright: Christina Pumariega
Director: Nicole A. Watson
Scenic Designer: Lawrence E. Moten III Costume
Designer: Raquel Barreto
Lighting Designer: Carolina Ortiz Herrera Sound
Designer: Sinan Refik Zafar
Projection Designer: Kelly Colburn
Dramaturg: Sarah Rose Leonard
Dialects: Rosie Berrido
Intimacy Coordinator: Alex Might
Production Stage Manager: Jynelly Rosario
Rehearsal Assistant Stage Manager: Gracie
Carleton
Assistant Stage Manager: Abigail Medrano
Casting: Caparelliotis Casting and Joseph Gery
Assistant Director: Jessi Stier
Associate Scenic Designer: Danielle Delafuente
Assistant Lighting Designer: Hayley Garcia Parnell
Hair and Makeup Consultant: Carissa Thorlakson
Projections Consultant: Dylan Uremovich