Glass Half Full Theatre Will Present FRUTOS DE LA MUERTE at Ground Floor Theatre
The devised play follows a young Guatemalan woman navigating political turmoil through fungi and indigenous wisdom.
Glass Half Full Theatre, a company with a 15-year history of making award-winning, bold, original works in Austin, announces the latest version of their new devised play, Frutos de la Muerte playing June 4–13, 2026 at Ground Floor Theatre.
The play follows a young Guatemalan woman, Ixq'anil, and her aunt Adela, as they turn to fungi, science, and indigenous wisdom for guidance amid political turmoil in the US and Guatemala. Spectral figures emerge from the shadowy edges of their memories, in the hands of a skillful chorus of movement and puppetry artists. Frutos takes an unconventional approach to finding a way through the darkness when we are feeling lost. Brought to you by award-winning creators known for visual storytelling that explores natural environments, ecology, and humanity, Frutos builds on the success of acclaimed GHFT shows such as The Orchid Flotilla, the multiple award-winning Yamel Cucuy, and the clever, bilingual satire Don Quixote de La ReDo. Frutos is performed in English with some Spanish.
To develop Frutos de la Muerte, the team worked with a Mycologist Jesus Garcia, and accessed resources from the Benson Latin American Collection at UT Austin. That research was brought into the company's signature devising approach –drawing from the Lecoq tradition– that emphasizes personal connection to the material.
This version of the play builds on the company's work-in-progress showing at CRASHBOX, which delighted audiences for its fresh approach to a complex subject, its representations of Guatemalan culture, the cast's performances, and its luscious, mysterious designs.
Frutos brings together a team known by local and national reviewers for their craft and commitment to new and innovative work: GHFT Co-Artistic Directors and Austin Chronicles' “Best Onstage Duos 2014” performers Gricelda Silva and Caroline Reck are reunited onstage (“engaging, precise, humorous”, Austin Chronicle), alongside Isis Jasen Silva, Antonio Medrano, and Diana Guizado.
Designs by Delena Bradley (“ingenious”, Broadway World), Kade Conklin, K. Eliot Haynes (“striking sound design,” Austin Chronicle), Gavin Kenter (“perfectly lit”, Austin Chronicle), Joshua W. Martin and Caroline Reck. Fungal Dramaturgy by Jesus Garcia. Stage Management by Karla Zodapop. The script is devised by the cast and creative team of Glass Half Full Theatre with Caroline Reck as Story Runner. It is directed by Khristián Méndez Aguirre (“visually exciting” and “dynamic” direction, Sightlines) with Movement and Puppet Direction by Caroline Reck. Assistant Direction by Ariane Stier. Over 15 years, Glass Half Full has attained dozens of B. Iden Payne Awards and Austin Critics' Table nominations and citations, including 11 wins (out of 17 nominations) for Yamel Cucuy in 2023.
Frutos was selected for support by the New England Foundation for the Arts for an Artist Development Grant, which supports the development of ensemble-based original work across the United States.
Frutos de la Muerte | June 4 – 13, 2026
Frutos de la Muerte by Glass Half Full Theatre
Written and Devised by Glass Half Full Theatre
Directed by Khristián Méndez Aguirre
Story Runner, Movement, and Puppet Direction by Caroline Reck
Assistant Direction by Ariane Stier
Performances by Gricelda Silva, Isis Jasen Silva, Caroline Reck, Antonio Medrano, and Diana Guizado
June 4-13, 2026
Ground Floor Theatre | 979 Springdale Rd, Ste 122 | Austin, TX 78702
Tickets on sale now at glasshalffulltheatre.com/frutos.
Frutos de la Muerte follows a young Guatemalan woman, Ixq'anil, and her aunt Adela, as they turn to fungi, science, and indigenous wisdom for guidance amid political turmoil in the US and Guatemala. Spectral figures emerge from the shadowy edges of their memories, in the hands of a skillful chorus of movement and puppetry artists.
Glass Half Full Theatre is supported in part by funding from the City of Austin Thrive Grant and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For the creation of Frutos de la Muerte Glass Half Full Theatre was awarded grants from the New England Foundation of the Arts and City of Austin Economic Development Department. Frutos was also supported by the Paramount and State Theaters and the Rude Mechanicals' affordable rehearsal and performance space CRASHBOX. The project also received support from the Texas Commission on the arts and the Creative Fund.
About Glass Half Full Theatre
Glass Half Full Theatre was founded in 2011 on the belief that theater has the power to transform perspectives and inspire change. Embracing a philosophy of optimism and creativity, we dedicate ourselves to producing innovative performances that challenge, entertain, and uplift. Through our commitment to diverse storytelling and collaborative artistry, Glass Half Full Theatre seeks to illuminate human experience and foster a sense of hope and connection within our community. For more information visit glasshalffulltheatre.com.
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