Basura
Coca-Cola Stage
Best enjoyed by audiences 8 and up.
World Premiere
Musical
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Nine-time Grammy Award® winner Gloria Estefan joins her daughter and acclaimed singer-songwriter Emily Estefan, to co-write the music and lyrics for BASURA.
Music & Lyrics by Gloria Estefan and Emily Estefan
Book by Karen Zacarías
Directed by Michael Greif
Choreography by Patricia Delgado
Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements by Alex Lacamoire
Dramaturgy by Ken Cerniglia
Nine-time Grammy Award® winner Gloria Estefan — whose music has sold over 100 million records worldwide — has shaped generations through song. Now, she joins her daughter and acclaimed singer-songwriter Emily Estefan, to co-write the music and lyrics for BASURA, a powerful and bold new musical inspired by the true story of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra, where young artists turn scrap material into instruments and music into possibilities. This world premiere musical continues Estefan’s global legacy — proving that music can rise from anywhere and change everything.
What do you do when the world gives you nothing? You build something beautiful. In a community against all odds, an inspired music teacher starts an orchestra for the students, but they have no instruments. Empty paint cans, a fork, and a bent license plate become a violin, an oil drum transforms into a colorful cello, and the newly formed orchestra hits every note to the beat of something bigger. When the students' instruments become symbols of possibility, the sound is heard around the world.
BASURA is directed by the Broadway stage visionary Michael Greif (Rent, Dear Evan Hansen), and written by National Latino Playwriting Award-winner Karen Zacarías (Native Gardens, Destiny of Desire). Grammy Award® and Tony Award® winner Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton, In the Heights) is the musical supervisor, orchestrator, and arranger. Patricia Delgado (Buena Vista Social Club) will choreograph, and Ken Cerniglia (Hadestown, Newsies) rounds out the team as dramaturg.
Based on the award-winning documentary film Landfill Harmonic, the new musical carries the sound of Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra farther than anyone could have ever imagined. BASURA is an unforgettable journey of rhythm, resilience, and extraordinary music — a radiant, heart-swelling reminder that even in the most unlikely places, you can build something beautiful.
Tickets start at $25.
Coca-Cola Stage
The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre is a state-of-the-art proscenium theater offering significant enhancements for patrons including an intimate, comfortable, and sound sensitive environment.
Creative
KEN CERNIGLIA (dramaturg) is a veteran dramaturg, writer, creative executive, and organizational leader. His dramaturgy is currently represented on Broadway in Redwood (2025), Hadestown (2019, 8 Tony Awards), and Aladdin (2013). During 16 years as dramaturg and literary manager at Disney Theatrical, he developed over 70 titles for Broadway, touring, international, and licensed productions, including Peter and the Starcatcher (5 Tony Awards), The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Freaky Friday, Newsies (two 2012 Tony Awards), The Little Mermaid, High School Musical, and Tarzan. He adapted several Disney librettos for young performers and developed a new series of Marvel plays for teens. Regional dramaturgy credits include Romeo y Juliet (CalShakes); Blood Moon (2020 PROTOTYPE Festival, NYC); the new musical Bridges (Berkeley Playhouse); and OLIVERio: A Twist on Dickens (Kennedy Center). He is incoming board co-chair and a past president of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) and is a graduate of UC San Diego, Catholic University, and the University of Washington, where he earned a Ph.D. in theatre history and criticism. www.kencerniglia.com
Ken Cerniglia
Dramaturgy
KEN CERNIGLIA (dramaturg) is a veteran dramaturg, writer, creative executive, and organizational leader. His dramaturgy is currently represented on Broadway in Redwood (2025), Hadestown (2019, 8 Tony Awards), and Aladdin (2013). During 16 years as dramaturg and literary manager at Disney Theatrical, he developed over 70 titles for Broadway, touring, international, and licensed productions, including Peter and the Starcatcher (5 Tony Awards), The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Freaky Friday, Newsies (two 2012 Tony Awards), The Little Mermaid, High School Musical, and Tarzan. He adapted several Disney librettos for young performers and developed a new series of Marvel plays for teens. Regional dramaturgy credits include Romeo y Juliet (CalShakes); Blood Moon (2020 PROTOTYPE Festival, NYC); the new musical Bridges (Berkeley Playhouse); and OLIVERio: A Twist on Dickens (Kennedy Center). He is incoming board co-chair and a past president of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) and is a graduate of UC San Diego, Catholic University, and the University of Washington, where he earned a Ph.D. in theatre history and criticism. www.kencerniglia.com
PATRICIA DELGADO (Choreographer) she/her, first generation Cuban-American, was born in Miami, Florida. She was a principal dancer with the Miami City Ballet where she worked for 20 years and is currently a freelance artist and Award-Winning choreographer living in NYC and a member of the dance faculty at The Juilliard School. She’s danced works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Anthony Tudor, Richard Alston, Edward Villella, as well as “Coppelia”, “Giselle” and “Don Quixote” and John Cranko's “Romeo and Juliet”. Patricia has created feature works with choreographers Alexei Ratmansky, Justin Peck, Pam Tanowitz, Jamar Roberts, Lauren Lovette, John Heginbotham, Andrea Miller and Jodi Melnick. She has performed at The Bolshoi, Theatre du Chatelet, Chicago Dancing Festival, Vail International Dance Festival, New York City Center, Joyce Theater and at the Koch Theatre, Lincoln Center. She performed in the musical “Brigadoon”, directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon at Encores! She starred in the music video “The Dark Side of the Gym” for The National. As a repetiteur for Justin Peck she has worked with Boston Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Semperoper Ballet, ABT and NYCB. She was an Associate Producer on the 2020 Broadway revival of West Side Story and Associate Choreographer on the feature film West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg. She was named a “Mujeres Imparables” by Telemundo in February 2022. And is a member of the Advisory Committee at the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. She cofounded and is artistic advisor of Adriana Pierce’s queer the ballet. She is the Co-Choreographer on Buena Vista Social Club, a new Broadway musical, and the recipient of the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography for its Atlantic Theatre Production. She is devoted to creating a nurturing and positive environment of diversity, authenticity, inclusivity, vulnerability and belonging in all that she embarks upon. She and her husband, Justin Peck welcomed their daughter, Lucia Isabella into this world in March 2021.
Patricia Delgado
Choreography
PATRICIA DELGADO (Choreographer) she/her, first generation Cuban-American, was born in Miami, Florida. She was a principal dancer with the Miami City Ballet where she worked for 20 years and is currently a freelance artist and Award-Winning choreographer living in NYC and a member of the dance faculty at The Juilliard School. She’s danced works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Anthony Tudor, Richard Alston, Edward Villella, as well as “Coppelia”, “Giselle” and “Don Quixote” and John Cranko's “Romeo and Juliet”. Patricia has created feature works with choreographers Alexei Ratmansky, Justin Peck, Pam Tanowitz, Jamar Roberts, Lauren Lovette, John Heginbotham, Andrea Miller and Jodi Melnick. She has performed at The Bolshoi, Theatre du Chatelet, Chicago Dancing Festival, Vail International Dance Festival, New York City Center, Joyce Theater and at the Koch Theatre, Lincoln Center. She performed in the musical “Brigadoon”, directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon at Encores! She starred in the music video “The Dark Side of the Gym” for The National. As a repetiteur for Justin Peck she has worked with Boston Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Semperoper Ballet, ABT and NYCB. She was an Associate Producer on the 2020 Broadway revival of West Side Story and Associate Choreographer on the feature film West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg. She was named a “Mujeres Imparables” by Telemundo in February 2022. And is a member of the Advisory Committee at the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. She cofounded and is artistic advisor of Adriana Pierce’s queer the ballet. She is the Co-Choreographer on Buena Vista Social Club, a new Broadway musical, and the recipient of the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography for its Atlantic Theatre Production. She is devoted to creating a nurturing and positive environment of diversity, authenticity, inclusivity, vulnerability and belonging in all that she embarks upon. She and her husband, Justin Peck welcomed their daughter, Lucia Isabella into this world in March 2021.
EMILY ESTEFAN (Music & Lyrics) is a Grammy Award-nominated musician, songwriter, producer, actress, activist and Emmy Award-nominated talk show co-host. She began playing instruments as a child and that developed into a passion for all things music. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Estefan wrote and released her debut album, “Take Whatever You Want” and founded her own music label, Alien Shrimp Records. Estefan’s career has spanned across several domains including writing, producing, arranging, and performing music. She has performed in music festivals all over the US like SXSW and Essence Festival, and on the esteemed stages of the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize and Kennedy Center Honors. Estefan has also shared the stage with a variety of reputable performers including Bette Midler, Dave Navarro, Carole King, Billy Gibbins, The Wailers, Cyndi Lauper, Karol G, and recorded virtual performances with Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Allen Stone, and more. Estefan has been with her partner, Gemeny Hernandez, in love and business since 2016. Together, the two have a podcast with iHeart Radio called “In Our Own World” that was named one of Spotify’s “Best Podcasts of the Month.”
Emily Estefan
Music & Lyrics
EMILY ESTEFAN (Music & Lyrics) is a Grammy Award-nominated musician, songwriter, producer, actress, activist and Emmy Award-nominated talk show co-host. She began playing instruments as a child and that developed into a passion for all things music. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Estefan wrote and released her debut album, “Take Whatever You Want” and founded her own music label, Alien Shrimp Records. Estefan’s career has spanned across several domains including writing, producing, arranging, and performing music. She has performed in music festivals all over the US like SXSW and Essence Festival, and on the esteemed stages of the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize and Kennedy Center Honors. Estefan has also shared the stage with a variety of reputable performers including Bette Midler, Dave Navarro, Carole King, Billy Gibbins, The Wailers, Cyndi Lauper, Karol G, and recorded virtual performances with Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Allen Stone, and more. Estefan has been with her partner, Gemeny Hernandez, in love and business since 2016. Together, the two have a podcast with iHeart Radio called “In Our Own World” that was named one of Spotify’s “Best Podcasts of the Month.”
GLORIA ESTEFAN (Music & Lyrics) International Superstar, Gloria Estefan, is a Grammy Award-winning singer, actress, songwriter, author of two New York Times best-selling children’s books, philanthropist and humanitarian. She is considered one of the world’s most recognizable and beloved performers and the most successful Latin crossover artist in music history, per Billboard Magazine. Having sold over 100 million records worldwide, Estefan has garnered nine Grammy Awards and an Oscar nomination for her performance of the song “Music Of My Heart.” She has received an American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2015, President Obama honored Emilio & Gloria Estefan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the United States, to world peace, and cultural endeavors. In 2017, Gloria was the first Cuban-American singer-songwriter to receive The Kennedy Center Honors.
On Your Feet!, the Tony Award nominated Broadway musical is based on the lives and music of Emilio & Gloria Estefan. As Executive Producers, it is the story of two people who—through an unwavering dedication to one another and their pursuit of the American dream— showcased their talent, music and heritage to the world in a remarkable rise to global superstardom. On Your Feet! has received rave reviews and nominations for Tony Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, Drama League Awards and is now on tour worldwide.
She is the founder of the Gloria Estefan Foundation whose mission is to support charitable programs for disadvantaged children and empower young people through education and opportunity. The Foundation also supports spinal cord research through the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
In 2020 her Grammy-winning album, Brazil305 topped the charts worldwide while she served as one of three hosts for her four-time Emmy nominated and Emmy winning & GLAAD Award nominated Facebook Watch series, Red Table Talk: The Estefans. Its 20 episodes are streaming now. In 2021 she voiced the character Marta in the critically acclaimed animated film “Vivo,” with music written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and released on Netflix.
In the summer of 2022, Estefan starred in ‘Father of the Bride’ opposite Andy García airing on HBOMAX. The movie amassed HBO Max’s biggest audience for a streaming-only film and soared to the No. 1 title spot across HBO Max worldwide.
Released in November of 2022, the ‘Estefan Family Christmas’ album featuring Gloria alongside her daughter, Emily and grandson, Sasha was one of the first albums of its kind to combine three generations. It includes 12 Christmas classics and two original songs, one of which was written by Gloria, Emily and Sasha.
In June of 2023, Gloria was the first Latina in history to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Recognizing her for the iconic songs that she has written, for example, “Anything for You, Don’t Wanna Lose You, Words Get In The Way, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Let’s Get Loud…” among many others that have enriched and transformed music and the lives of billions of listeners all over the world.
2025 celebrates Gloria’s 50 year career anniversary! Starting the year with winning her 9th Grammy Award for her collaboration with Sheila E on the track “Bemba Colora” and releasing an all new Spanish language album. The album, titled “Raices” is all original songs with legitimate rhythms and lyrics that highlight her rich Latin culture. www.gloriaestefan.com
Gloria Estefan
Music & Lyrics
GLORIA ESTEFAN (Music & Lyrics) International Superstar, Gloria Estefan, is a Grammy Award-winning singer, actress, songwriter, author of two New York Times best-selling children’s books, philanthropist and humanitarian. She is considered one of the world’s most recognizable and beloved performers and the most successful Latin crossover artist in music history, per Billboard Magazine. Having sold over 100 million records worldwide, Estefan has garnered nine Grammy Awards and an Oscar nomination for her performance of the song “Music Of My Heart.” She has received an American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2015, President Obama honored Emilio & Gloria Estefan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the United States, to world peace, and cultural endeavors. In 2017, Gloria was the first Cuban-American singer-songwriter to receive The Kennedy Center Honors.
On Your Feet!, the Tony Award nominated Broadway musical is based on the lives and music of Emilio & Gloria Estefan. As Executive Producers, it is the story of two people who—through an unwavering dedication to one another and their pursuit of the American dream— showcased their talent, music and heritage to the world in a remarkable rise to global superstardom. On Your Feet! has received rave reviews and nominations for Tony Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, Drama League Awards and is now on tour worldwide.
She is the founder of the Gloria Estefan Foundation whose mission is to support charitable programs for disadvantaged children and empower young people through education and opportunity. The Foundation also supports spinal cord research through the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
In 2020 her Grammy-winning album, Brazil305 topped the charts worldwide while she served as one of three hosts for her four-time Emmy nominated and Emmy winning & GLAAD Award nominated Facebook Watch series, Red Table Talk: The Estefans. Its 20 episodes are streaming now. In 2021 she voiced the character Marta in the critically acclaimed animated film “Vivo,” with music written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and released on Netflix.
In the summer of 2022, Estefan starred in ‘Father of the Bride’ opposite Andy García airing on HBOMAX. The movie amassed HBO Max’s biggest audience for a streaming-only film and soared to the No. 1 title spot across HBO Max worldwide.
Released in November of 2022, the ‘Estefan Family Christmas’ album featuring Gloria alongside her daughter, Emily and grandson, Sasha was one of the first albums of its kind to combine three generations. It includes 12 Christmas classics and two original songs, one of which was written by Gloria, Emily and Sasha.
In June of 2023, Gloria was the first Latina in history to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Recognizing her for the iconic songs that she has written, for example, “Anything for You, Don’t Wanna Lose You, Words Get In The Way, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Let’s Get Loud…” among many others that have enriched and transformed music and the lives of billions of listeners all over the world.
2025 celebrates Gloria’s 50 year career anniversary! Starting the year with winning her 9th Grammy Award for her collaboration with Sheila E on the track “Bemba Colora” and releasing an all new Spanish language album. The album, titled “Raices” is all original songs with legitimate rhythms and lyrics that highlight her rich Latin culture. www.gloriaestefan.com
MICHAEL GREIF (Director) is a five-time Tony Award nominee for his original direction of the groundbreaking musicals Rent, Next to Normal (which both won the Pulitzer Prize), Grey Gardens, Dear Evan Hansen, and Hell's Kitchen. Other notable productions include War Paint (Broadway), If/Then (Broadway), The Low Road, Fucking A, Dogeaters, Giant, Machinal, The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide... (The Public Theater), Our Lady of Kibeho, Landscape of the Body, Angels in America (Signature Theatre), A Parallelogram, Make Believe (Second Stage), Far From Heaven and Spatter Pattern (Playwrights Horizons), Man in the Ring (Huntington). In the 2024 Broadway season, Michael directed Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen and Days of Wine and Roses, and co-directed The Notebook (with Schele Williams). Off-Broadway, he's received Obie Awards for Machinal, Dogeaters (Public), and Rent (NYTW), and has directed new plays and musicals at Playwrights Horizons, Roundabout, MTC, MCC, New York Theatre Workshop and at Second Stage, where he directed Next to Normal and Dear Evan Hansen. Regional work includes premieres and revivals at Williamstown Theatre Festival (ten seasons), La Jolla Playhouse (Artistic Director, five seasons), The Goodman, Arena Stage, Center Stage, Mark Taper Forum, Dallas Theater Center, Trinity Repertory Company. Michael holds a BS from Northwestern University and an MFA from the University of California, San Diego.
Michael Greif
Director
MICHAEL GREIF (Director) is a five-time Tony Award nominee for his original direction of the groundbreaking musicals Rent, Next to Normal (which both won the Pulitzer Prize), Grey Gardens, Dear Evan Hansen, and Hell's Kitchen. Other notable productions include War Paint (Broadway), If/Then (Broadway), The Low Road, Fucking A, Dogeaters, Giant, Machinal, The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide... (The Public Theater), Our Lady of Kibeho, Landscape of the Body, Angels in America (Signature Theatre), A Parallelogram, Make Believe (Second Stage), Far From Heaven and Spatter Pattern (Playwrights Horizons), Man in the Ring (Huntington). In the 2024 Broadway season, Michael directed Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen and Days of Wine and Roses, and co-directed The Notebook (with Schele Williams). Off-Broadway, he's received Obie Awards for Machinal, Dogeaters (Public), and Rent (NYTW), and has directed new plays and musicals at Playwrights Horizons, Roundabout, MTC, MCC, New York Theatre Workshop and at Second Stage, where he directed Next to Normal and Dear Evan Hansen. Regional work includes premieres and revivals at Williamstown Theatre Festival (ten seasons), La Jolla Playhouse (Artistic Director, five seasons), The Goodman, Arena Stage, Center Stage, Mark Taper Forum, Dallas Theater Center, Trinity Repertory Company. Michael holds a BS from Northwestern University and an MFA from the University of California, San Diego.
ALEX LACAMOIRE (Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements) is a four-time Grammy Award, three-time Tony Award, three-time Olivier Award, and Emmy Award winner for his work on Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, In The Heights, and FX’s miniseries “Fosse/Verdon.” His other credits as musical director, arranger and/or orchestrator include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2023 Broadway Revival), The Wrong Man (Off-Broadway), Bring It On: The Musical, 9 to 5 (Drama Desk and Grammy Award Nominations), Wicked, Bat Boy: The Musical, and Godspell (2001 National Tour). He also served as the executive music producer for the films, including ”The Greatest Showman”; ”In The Heights”; ”VIVO”; ”Dear Evan Hansen”; and ”Tick, Tick...Boom!” He was the recipient of a first-of-its-kind Kennedy Center Honors for his contribution to Hamilton. @alacamoire
Alex Lacamoire
Music Supervision, Orchestrations, & Arrangements
ALEX LACAMOIRE (Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements) is a four-time Grammy Award, three-time Tony Award, three-time Olivier Award, and Emmy Award winner for his work on Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, In The Heights, and FX’s miniseries “Fosse/Verdon.” His other credits as musical director, arranger and/or orchestrator include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2023 Broadway Revival), The Wrong Man (Off-Broadway), Bring It On: The Musical, 9 to 5 (Drama Desk and Grammy Award Nominations), Wicked, Bat Boy: The Musical, and Godspell (2001 National Tour). He also served as the executive music producer for the films, including ”The Greatest Showman”; ”In The Heights”; ”VIVO”; ”Dear Evan Hansen”; and ”Tick, Tick...Boom!” He was the recipient of a first-of-its-kind Kennedy Center Honors for his contribution to Hamilton. @alacamoire
KAREN ZACARÍAS (Book) has been hailed by American Theater Magazine as one of the most produced playwrights in the US. Karen recently completed the Broadway bound telenovela play Destiny of Desire at The Old Globe in San Diego. Her comedy Native Gardens continues to be one of the most produced plays in the nation. Notable productions for 2025 include her explosive adaptation the western Shane at Dallas Theater Center and The Oregon Shakespeare Theater, her adaptation of The Age of Innocence at Arena Stage, her time-travel comedy Legacy of Light at McCarter Theater in March. The Book Club Play revival at Cincinnati Playhouse, and Native Gardens at Westport Country Players. Her other plays include The Copper Children, Legacy of Light, Mariela in the Desert, The Sins of Sor Juana, and adaptations of Just Like Us, Into the Beautiful North, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent and a bilingual Romeo y Juliet. She has ten TYA musicals with composer Deborah Wicks La Puma. In film, Karen has worked with director Pedro Almodóvar on his first bilingual movie script, set in Mexico and the US. She has also been commissioned to write the adaptation of the bestselling romantic comedy “You Had Me at Hola” and the biopic “Ascención”. She is core founder of the Latino Theatre Commons- a large national organization of artists seeking to update the American narrative with the stories of Latinos, and the founder of the award-winning Young Playwrights’ Theater. Karen was voted a 2019 Washingtonian of the Year and awarded the 2019 Sine Fellowship at the American University School of Public Policy, 2019 Lee-Reynolds-Award for “social, cultural, or political change with theater” and the 2019 Medallion by the Children’s Theater Foundation. She is a 2021 recipient of the United Artists Fellowship. Karen lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband Rett, their three children, and two dogs. Represented by the Gersh Agency and published by Concord Theatricals, Dramatic Publishing and has a collection of plays with Oberon Books. www.karenzacarias.com
Karen Zacarías
Book
KAREN ZACARÍAS (Book) has been hailed by American Theater Magazine as one of the most produced playwrights in the US. Karen recently completed the Broadway bound telenovela play Destiny of Desire at The Old Globe in San Diego. Her comedy Native Gardens continues to be one of the most produced plays in the nation. Notable productions for 2025 include her explosive adaptation the western Shane at Dallas Theater Center and The Oregon Shakespeare Theater, her adaptation of The Age of Innocence at Arena Stage, her time-travel comedy Legacy of Light at McCarter Theater in March. The Book Club Play revival at Cincinnati Playhouse, and Native Gardens at Westport Country Players. Her other plays include The Copper Children, Legacy of Light, Mariela in the Desert, The Sins of Sor Juana, and adaptations of Just Like Us, Into the Beautiful North, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent and a bilingual Romeo y Juliet. She has ten TYA musicals with composer Deborah Wicks La Puma. In film, Karen has worked with director Pedro Almodóvar on his first bilingual movie script, set in Mexico and the US. She has also been commissioned to write the adaptation of the bestselling romantic comedy “You Had Me at Hola” and the biopic “Ascención”. She is core founder of the Latino Theatre Commons- a large national organization of artists seeking to update the American narrative with the stories of Latinos, and the founder of the award-winning Young Playwrights’ Theater. Karen was voted a 2019 Washingtonian of the Year and awarded the 2019 Sine Fellowship at the American University School of Public Policy, 2019 Lee-Reynolds-Award for “social, cultural, or political change with theater” and the 2019 Medallion by the Children’s Theater Foundation. She is a 2021 recipient of the United Artists Fellowship. Karen lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband Rett, their three children, and two dogs. Represented by the Gersh Agency and published by Concord Theatricals, Dramatic Publishing and has a collection of plays with Oberon Books. www.karenzacarias.com
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