Chicago’s leading Latinx theater company, Teatro Vista, announced plans today for its 2021-22 season, the first guided by new Co-Artistic Directors Lorena Diaz and Wendy Mateo.
Futurology, or "the study of current trends that forecast future developments," is the unifying theme for Teatro Vista’s 31st season, signaling a new future powered by ensemble-driven work.
Under this banner, Chicago’s largest, longest-running Latinx theater ensemble will present live and virtual productions that push boundaries of theatrical expression, propelling the company and its ensemble to a new future of work that encompasses many disciplines of art, genres and expression.
Click here to download or above to screen Teatro Vista's season announcement video.
(from left) Teatro Vista Co-Artistic Directors Lorena Diaz and Wendy Mateo announced the company’s 2021-22 season featuring new virtual works by Gabriel Ruiz and Marvin Quijada, the world premiere of Brian Quijada’s new musical Somewhere Over the Border, and a digital commission for writer Issac Gómez and director Monty Cole.
Futurology exemplifies how Teatro Vista plans to apply a theatrical process to the medium of film, taking the time to develop three-dimensional characters and new forms of storytelling.
First, three world premiere virtual productions will roll out over the course of 2021-22: The Fifth World, a serial audio play by Gabriel Ruiz sure to appeal to true crime podcast fans starting later this fall; Detective Q, a moving graphic novel by Marvin Quijada and Gabriel Ruiz, in winter 2022; and La Vuelta, a new digital experience next spring commissioned by Teatro Vista, devised by its ensemble members, written by Isaac Gómez and directed by Monty Cole.
In addition, Teatro Vista will return to the live stage in spring 2022 with Somewhere Over the Border, a world premiere musical by Brian Quijada, creator and star of Teatro Vista’s 2016, smash hit world premiere, Where Did We Sit on the Bus?
“Our ensemble is in full use of multimedia to explore what theater and artistic expression is meant to be for Teatro Vista and its future,” said Diaz. “As artistic directors, Wendy and I feel like we won the golden ticket to meet Willy Wonka in the chocolate factory, surrounded by an eccentric and brilliant ensemble ready to make magical experiences that our audience will remember.”
“I am so energized by this group of artists. We leave a meeting and I am literally buzzing because we are about to start telling stories from a perspective that hasn't truly been explored on America’s stages and media,” Mateo confirmed. “The American Latinx experience...for us, by us. This content is for our community created by the very representation we seek.”
Teatro Vista’s virtual productions will drop and be easily accessed via its website, teatrovista.org. Sign up for Teatro Vista’s e-newsletter to receive first notice of new shows, episodes, and behind-the-scenes content, or follow Teatro Vista on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Tickets to next spring’s in-person presentation of Somewhere Over the Rainbow will go on sale in early 2022.
Futurology presents:
More details about Teatro Vista’s 2021-22 season:
The Fifth World
- A serial audio play by Gabriel Ruiz
- Directed by Gabriel Ruiz and Lorena Diaz
- Tune in via teatrovista.org, Apple iTunes and Spotify
- Free with suggested donation
- Late fall 2022
The Fifth World is an original audio play by ensemble member Gabriel Ruiz, who is currently in New York rehearsing for MJ The Musical on Broadway this December.
Ruiz’s latest writing project, The Fifth World, is a six-episode, serial audio play rooted in Aztec mythology set in modern times in the middle of a pandemic. Sebastian Reyes arrives in the small desert town of Palomas, Arizona to make his name producing a true crime story about a missing child in the desert, but finds himself in a whole other world.
The Fifth World is voiced by an eight-member, all-ensemble cast, the most ever in a Teatro Vista production: Gabriel Ruiz as Seba, Sandra Márquez as Sandra, Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel as Florentina Perez, Nate Santana as Deputy Raines, Eddie Martinez as Eduardo, Cheryl Lynn Bruce as Ruthie, Salome Martinez as Tlolac, Ayssette Muñoz as Christina, and Jon Lyon as Simon.
“I think this is the story of a need to find and connect with another human being when the future of the world depends on it,” said Ruiz.
Watch The Fifth World teaser video
Detective Q
- A moving graphic novel by Marvin Quijada and Gabriel Ruiz
- Free with suggested donation
- Tune in via teatrovista.org, Teatro Vista’s YouTube page, or social media feeds
- Winter 2022
Film noir meets mime in Detective Q, a moving graphic novel born on the stage, now set to be unleashed in digital form on Teatro Vista’s YouTube and social media pages.
Detective Q is an animated work with interactive elements audiences can engage with directly, and immersive experiences captured in different spots around the city.
“I am thrilled for Teatro Vista’s upcoming seasons that’ll explore new paths and mediums of creativity,” said Quijada. “As a great philosopher once said, ‘to infinity and beyond!’ “
Somewhere Over the Border
- A world premiere musical by Brian Quijada
- Presented in-person at a location TBA
- Spring 2022
Inspired by his mother Reina Quijada’s journey from El Salvador to the U.S., remixed with L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Somewhere Over the Border embraces the factual and the fantastical in its depiction of one young girl's pursuit of the American dream.
As Reina travels north to the Mexican border, she gathers friends, faces down dangers and holds tight to the memory of the little boy she left behind. Set in the 1970s and propelled by a guitar-driven score, this new musical is both fable and family history – and a testament to the determination born of love.
Somewhere Over the Border is a rolling World Premiere ending/opening at Teatro Vista in spring 2022.
"I've been waiting to see a brown, Central-American Dorothy,” said Quijada, “and soon, the American Theatre will be introduced to her."
La Vuelta
- A digital experience written by Isaac Gómez
- Directed by Monty Cole
- A ticketed virtual production accessed via teatrovista.org
- Summer 2022
Teatro Vista has commissioned ensemble member Isaac Gómez to write and produce a digital experience for Teatro Vista, working with director Monty Cole to foster their relationship as a prolific writing/directing duo.
Healing isn’t linear and neither is living. Neither is sickness and neither is life. La Vuelta is a filmed theatrical experience interrogating the circuitous relationship between oneself and others, and how our existence in the world has ripple effects beyond us even in times of great crisis and isolation.
Gómez and Cole are guiding the project, devised by Teatro Vista ensemble members Charín Álvarez, Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel, Ayssette Muñoz, Eddie Martinez, Marvin Quijada, Ramón Ybarra, Eddie Torres, Sandra Márquez, Sandra Delgado, Cheryl Lynn Bruce,and Jon Lyon.
“I wanted an opportunity to co-create something meaningful with the incredible artists and ensemble members at Teatro Vista,” said Gómez. “Something where their voices are integral in the creative process to showcase their skills not solely as actors but as storytellers in their own right. To be reunited with my creative brother Monty Cole in rethinking what theater can and should be is simply beyond."
“Teatro Vista is building something really unique - the future of American Theatre companies - and Isaac and I are so excited to build something new with this talented ensemble,” echoed Cole.
Futurology presents: About Teatro Vista
Teatro Vista is Chicago’s largest, Equity-affiliated professional Latinx theater company and one of the nation’s premier Latinx arts organizations.The company’s primary focus is producing new works by Latinx theater artists from its own ensemble, a group of multi-generational, multi-ethnic and multi-disciplinary artists.
Teatro Vista ensemble members include Charín Álvarez, Max Arciniega, Desmín Borges, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Ramón Camín, Ivonne Coll, Laura Dahl, Sandra Delgado, Liza Fernández, Khanisha Foster, Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel, Isaac Gómez, Ricardo Gutiérrez, Erik Juárez, Jon Lyon, Sandra Márquez, Eddie Martinez, Salome Martinez, Joe Minoso, Ayssette Muñoz, Christina Nieves, Marvin Quijada, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Gabriel Ruíz, Nate Santana, Cecilia Suarez and co-founder Edward Torres.
In July, 2021, following a national search, Lorena Diaz and Wendy Mateo were appointed Co-Artistic Directors of Teatro Vista.
Teatro Vista Co-Artistic Directors Lorena Diaz (left) and Wendy Mateo
“We are deeply energized by Teatro Vista and its ensemble, with its tapestry of talent, innovation and unique perspectives,” said Mateo. “There is a depth to the American Latinx experience that has fueled our 20 years of storytelling and collaboration together. With this particular ensemble, we’ll be able to deepen that storytelling and bring in a kind of nuance and complexity to our stories that our audiences will be inspired by.”
Diaz added, “the opportunities in an ensemble-led theater company are many and Teatro Vista has an abundance of thought-provoking artists who are exploring different genres of creative expression, from writing for television, to audio plays with visual components, to full-fledged plays with music like La Havana Madrid. Expect that kind of excitement going forward.”
Diaz and Mateo succeed previous Teatro Vista artistic directors Ricardo Gutiérrez (2012-2020), Eddie Torres (1996-2012) and Henry Godinez and Eddie Torres, who co-founded the company in 1990.
Teatro Vista’s Board of Directors includes Adela Cepeda, President, Joan Pantsios, Secretary, Julieta LaMalfa, Treasurer, and Kareem Mohamednur, Carina Sanchez and Jose Vasquez.
Teatro Vista is supported by the Joyce Foundation, Alphawood Foundation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Bayless Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, The MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity, and the Arts at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, The Shubert Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, CLATA (Chicago Latino Theater Alliance), DCASE (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events), Venturous Foundation and the Arts Work Fund.
For more, visit teatrovista.org, or follow the company on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Futurology presents: 2021-22 Artist Bios
Gabriel Ruiz (he/him/his, creator, The Fifth World, co-creator, Detective Q) is a Teatro Vista ensemble member. Ruiz will be originating a role on Broadway in MJ The Musical in December 2021. New York credits: Blood and Gifts (Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts). Chicago credits include The Wolf at the End of the Block, White Tie Ball (Teatro Vista), I Hate It Here, The Upstairs Concierge (Goodman Theater), The Secret of My Success (Paramount Theater), You Got Older, The Rembrandt, The Way West, How Long Will I Cry?, The Motherf**ker with the Hat (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), Next to Normal, Company, Arcadia (Writers Theatre), Cry it Out, Mansfield Park (Northlight Theatre), Photograph 51, Agamemnon, Man in the Ring (Court Theatre), Native Gardens (Victory Gardens Theater), Singin' in the Rain, City of Angels (Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire), Creditors (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company), Working (Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place) and Arabian Nights (Lookingglass Theatre Company). Regional credits include Native Gardens (Cincinnati Playhouse), Harvey (Milwaukee Repertory Theater), Why Torture Is Wrong... (Forward Theater Company) TV/Film: Christmas Again (Disney), Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Chicago Justice (NBC), APB (Fox), Electric Dreams (Channel 4) and Boss (Starz). Music composition credits: In the Time of Butterflies (Teatro Vista), An Epic Tale of Scale (Chicago Children’s Theatre), Vietgone (Writers Theatre), I Hate it Here (Studio Theater, The Goodman Theater). He also performs music with the duos 'Sinfolk' and 'With This Song' which can be found on Spotify and www.WithThisSong.com.
Marvin Quijada (he/him/his, a.k.a silent marvin, co-creator, Detective Q) is a Chicago based clown and mime, electronic composer and DJ. He is a Teatro Vista ensemble member where his credits include La Havana Madrid, I Put the Fear of Mexico in ‘Em and Momma’s Boyz. Teatro Vista plans to present the world premiere of his play The Dream King in 2022-23.
Brian Quijada (he/him/his, playwright, Somewhere Over the Border)is an actor, playwright, and composer whose original work has been developed and produced all across the country. His hip hop solo show Where Did We Sit on the Bus? has been produced at Victory Gardens, Geva Theatre (Emmy Nomination for digital stream), Teatro Vista (Jeff Award), Ensemble Studio Theatre (Drama Desk Nomination), Boise Contemporary, 1st Stage, City Theatre Pittsburgh and a digital production at Actors Theatre of Louisville (Drama League Nomination). His play Kid Prince and Pablo premiered at The Kennedy Center in 2019. His plays have been developed at The Kennedy Center, Pittsburgh CLO’s Spark Festival, Victory Gardens’ Ignition Festival, New Stage and Film’s Powerhouse Festival and The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Musical Theatre Conference. Commissioning institutions include Hero Theatre, A.R.T., 1st Stage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Woolly Mammoth and The Kennedy Center. His song “The Always Song” was the 2021’s Hispanic Heritage Month Song for Nickelodeon. Select acting credits include Bobbie Clearly at Roundabout, Oedipus El Rey at The Public Theater, My Mañana Comes at Playwrights Realm, How We Got On and Airness at Actors Theatre of Louisville's Humana Festival. TV credits include Blue Bloods and Manhattan Love Story. Quijada is an ensemble member of The Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York.
Isaac Gómez (she/they/he, writer, La Vuelta) is an award-winning Chicago and Los Angeles based playwright and screenwriter originally from El Paso, Texas/Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. He is currently under commission with LCT3, Steppenwolf Theater Company, South Coast Repertory, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, IAMA Theatre Company and Teatro Vista. Her plays have been produced and/or developed by Audible Theater, Steppenwolf Theater Company, Primary Stages, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Goodman Theatre, the Alley Theatre and many others. They are the recipient of the 2018 Dramatists Guild Lanford Wilson Award, the 2017 Jeffry Melnick New Playwright Award at Primary Stages, and an inaugural 3Arts “Make A Wave” grantee. He is an ensemble member at Teatro Vista and Victory Gardens Theater — both in Chicago. Her television credits include the Netflix original series Narcos: Mexico, the first writers room for Kings of America on Netflix, and most recently the upcoming Apple TV+ Limited Series The Last Thing He Told Me starring Julia Roberts. She currently has a series in development with Stacey Sher and FX. On the feature side, they are currently under development with a full-length feature at Focus Features.
Monty Cole (he/him/his, director, La Vuelta) is an award-winning theater and film writer-director from Oak Park, Illinois. He has directed for The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Center Theatre Group, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Victory Gardens Theater, the Center for New Performance, Cape Cod Theatre Project, Alley Theatre and others. His plays include American Teenager and Black Like Me, an adaptation of the 1961 novel. Cole is a Goodman Theatre Playwrights Unit alum and is currently an Artist in Residence at the Center for New Performance, a fellow at Hermitage Artist Retreat and a Research Scholar of the Bridge to Faculty at UIC. This past summer, Cole directed three short films: Six Feet Apart by Isaac Gómez, Sons of Toledo, written by Cole and Matt Foss, and his own short, Whole. Cole has a BA in Theatre Studies from Emerson College and an MFA in Directing from the California Institute of the Arts.
Lorena Diaz (she/her/hers, Co-Artistic Director, Teatro Vista), a “Made in Chicago” hybrid of Peruvian Indigenous descent and American Latinx swagger, has bounced between Chicago’s theater and comedy scenes for 15 years. She is familiar to Teatro Vista audiences for portraying Carolina in the company’s acclaimed 2018 world premiere The Madres by Stephanie Alison Walker. She subsequently co-directed with Ricardo Gutiérrez Teatro Vista’s 2019 premiere of Walker’s sequel, The Abuelas. Her many other collaborations include work with Jo Cattell and Steppenwolf 1700 (Tumbao, a live radio play), iO Chicago (People in the City), Mike Oquendo Productions, Goodman, Playground Theatre and The Second City. She is most commonly known for her work over six seasons as the snarky Nurse Doris on Dick Wolf's Chicago Med, Fire and PD franchise.
Wendy Mateo (she/her/hers, Co-Artistic Director, Teatro Vista) is a Chicago-based actor, writer, director and producer. Mateo has stepped on the boards of some of Chicago’s historic theaters: The Lookingglass Theatre (Big Lake Big City, Beyond Caring), The Steppenwolf 1700 Theatre (Tumbao: A Radionovela), The Second City, and The Playground Theater to name a few. Sometimes she gets to be on your TV playing a super serious crime scene technician in NBC’s Chicago PD, or a playwright in Netflix’s Easy, or as a car auction teller in the movie Widows starring Queen Viola Davis, and even on the small device screen making funnies with Fred Armisen. She gets to create work with her silly ass best friend and it leads to things like articles about us in the Chicago Tribune, on a list in Latina Magazine or a spot on NPR.