Miami New Drama Reveals Recipients of Miami NEXT Drama Fellowship

​​​​​​As part of their 10th Anniversary Season, Miami New Drama, revealed the five recipients of the Miami NEXT Drama Fellowship. The season-long fellowship gives the Miami-based theatre artists access to a full professional season inside a Working Theatre company, with mentorship from industry artists, followed by dedicated studio time and resources to develop a new project of their own.

The five artists are Ariel Cipolla (Playwright/Producer), Ariana De La Hoz (Designer), Alex Gonzalez (Director), Sara Jarrell (Director) and Cristina Marie Pla-Guzman (Director/Playwright/Performer). These artists will have full access to Miami New Drama's 2026-27 season, including production shadowing, rehearsals and tech, readings, dress rehearsals and community gatherings. They'll also be included in select production and staff meetings, and take part in a series of workshops and Q&As with a guest artist from the season. Fellows will also have monthly cohort meetings to debrief on the season's work and get feedback from Miami New Drama staff and be provided with dedicated studio time and resources to build their own new work. 

Created as part of Miami New Drama's 10th Anniversary Season, the Miami Next Drama Fellowship is open to Miami-based directors, playwrights, producers, and designers (aged 19 and older), with some prior professional or practical theatre experience. Launched earlier this year, Miami Next Drama will now be an annual part of Miami New Drama's annual programming, with applications opening in August 2027 for the 2027-28 Season. 

Ariel Cipolla

(@arielonset) is a Mexican-Argentine theatre artist based in Miami, Florida, and a Next Drama Fellow at Miami New Drama. As a playwright, he has been the Daniel J. Sullivan Playwright-in-Residence at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2024) and a participant in City Theatre's HOMEGROWN (2023) and NextGen Young Playwrights (2017). His play NO PUEDO, I'M SORRY was an O'Neill National Playwrights Conference semifinalist, and his produced works include THE VULTURES and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN STAY? As a producer, he is Communications Manager for Juggerknot Theatre Company; he has produced with Abre Camino Collective, New City Players, and New Wave Drama; and he was Managing Director of the inaugural Coconut Grove Theatre Festival. Ariel is also an Emmy Award-winning television producer.

Ariana De La Hoz

is a Venezuelan theatre artist based in Miami. She currently works as a scenic designer, Costume Designer and prop master. Since beginning her full-time design career three years ago, she has helped shape productions at JCAT, including Little Shop of Horrors, Avenue Q School Edition, and the world premieres of Mystical Water and Four Women. She is a proud Broward College graduate with an Associate in Arts in Theatre, and she loves the exchange of ideas that comes from collaborating with other artists and directors. She brings care, creativity, and practical experience to her work and looks forward to learning from Miami New Drama's artists and mentors as she continues developing her voice as a designer 

Alex Gonzalez

is a Cuban-American director and theatermaker dedicated to creating collaborative spaces where bold, authentic storytelling can flourish. He is the founding Artistic Director of Latiné Theater Lab, a new company committed to uplifting Latiné voices and making theater more accessible to diverse communities. Favorite directing credits include Mud, Eurydice, and Reefer Madness. With a background in arts education, human resources, and leadership, Alex brings a unique blend of creative vision, strategic thinking, and community-building to every project.

Sara Jarrell

is thrilled to be a part of the inaugural cohort of Miami Next Drama. They are a founding member of Creators Under No Theater, and currently Artistic Director of Main Street Players. Some of their previous directing credits include "Ama.Egg.Oya" by Lori Felipe Barkin, "Medea" by Euripidies, "I'm Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire" by Sam Hurley, and “Ms.Holmes and Ms. Watson Apt. 2B” by Kate Hamill. She is currently working on Ann Gillespie's “Choreographing a Rape Scene to go into a Feminist Play” with Lakehouseranch.png. Sara's work is centered around uplifting fem/queer artists. They strive to tell stories that speak to the modern feminine experience through new work or reimagined classics. Through their work they hope to impact the South Florida community, and inspire important conversations. When not directing Sara can be found teaching. They have been a teaching artist in Miami for the last 10 years, and currently is the Drama Magnet Teacher at South Miami K-8 Center. A Miami native, Sara received their BFA in Theater Performance from New World School of the Arts, University of Florida. They would like to thank their fabulous husband, for continually holding down the fort so that they can pursue their dreams. You can follow them @singing_loudly on instagram. 

Cristina Marie Pla-Guzman