Tanya Saracho’s 'Kita Y Fernanda' Begins Sept. 25th

Tanya Saracho's

KITA Y FERNANDA begins September 25

16^th Street Theater is proud to announce its production of Tanya Saracho's Kita y Fernanda directed by Artistic Director Ann Filmer. Kita y Fernanda will run September 25 – October 25, 2008 at the Berwyn Cultural Center.

Kita y Fernanda is a look at class, immigration and women's friendships as it follows the lives of two girls growing up in the same household; one the privileged daughter of a rich Mexican family living in Texas, the other the child of an undocumented maid.

"I do what I do because I don't see images of myself onstage.

 I want to complicate the image of what a Latina woman is without standing on a soapbox. I'm dedicated to telling Her stories - to letting us look at life through her eyes. Politically and socially we have gone voiceless for so long and that is obviously reflected in the American Theatre.

 We have so much to say; I'm making it my job to make us listen."

Tanya Saracho was born in Sinaloa, Mexico and moved to Texas in the late 80's. As the proud Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Teatro Luna: Chicago's All-Latina Theater Ensemble, Tanya's writing has been featured in most of Teatro Luna's ensemble-built works including Generic Latina, Dejame Contarte, The Maria Chronicles, SOLO Latinas, S-E-X-Oh! and Lunatic(a)s. She is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists.

Tanya's play Kita y Fernanda received a full production at Luna in early 2003, along with a reading at Repertorio Español while a finalist for the 2003 Nuestras Voces playwrighting competition. Other Awards include: The Ofner Prize given by the Goodman Theatre, Finalist for the Christopher B. Wolk Award at Abingdon Theatre in NYC, nominee for the Wasserstein Prize and winner of the Khan Award. Her solo play Quita Mitos received a world premier with Teatro Luna, in November of 2006 and has toured colleges and festivals, including the International Hispanic Theatre Festival and the Goodman's Latino Theatre Festival.

Tanya is working on a fellowship in a collaboration between The Goodman Theatre and the Institute for Women and Gender Studies at Columbia College on an interview-based piece titled 27 where she will interview one woman from each of the 27 countries that make up the Latin Diaspora.

Tanya has directed many works including Lunatic(a)s, the remount of Generic Latina, Piece of Ass for Estrogen Fest, The Maria Chronicles for both the Goodman's Latino Theater Festival and the critically acclaimed full-length run at Teatro Luna, and S-e-x-Oh!, Que Bonita Bandera and Three Days for SÓLO Latinas. Also an accomplished actor, Tanya's performing credits include Migdalia Cruz' Another Part of the House with Teatro Vista, Living Out with American Theatre Co./Teatro Vista, Electricidad at Goodman Theatre, and Angels in America and La Casa De Bernarda Alba with Aguijon Theater. She was most recently seen in Neil LaBute's Fat Pig at Renaissance TheatreWorks in Milwaukee, WI and her voice can be heard around the country in radio and television commercials.

Belinda Cervantes, recently seen in Teatro Luna's MACHOS at 16^th Street and as Ix Chel in Teatro Luna's Lunatic(a)s, is Kita. Suzette Mayobre, recently seen in Lunatic(a)s, Solo Tu and S-E-X-Oh! is Fernanda. Charin Alvarez who plays Fernanda's mother Dona Silvia just closed Esparanza Rising at Chicago Children's Theatre, Dreamlandia with Teatro Vista and Nilo Cruz' A Park in Our House. Stephanie Diaz, who plays Kita's mother Concha, recently closed La Posada Magica at Teatro Vista and Tartuffe with Remy Bumppo.  Before moving to Chicago she was in Living Out with Seattle Rep and Missouri Rep. The design team includes Ian Zywica (scenic design), Mac Vaughey (lighting), Barry Bennett (sound), Whitney McBride (costumes) and Noel Henke (prop design).  Stage manager is Michelle Rossi.  The play is directed by Ann Filmer.  Full bios and photos soon available at www.16thstreettheater.org

FACT SHEET

KITA Y FERNANDA

by Tanya Saracho

-  Please visit www.16thstreettheater.org  -

16^th STREET THEATER is Berwyn's professional equity theater under the artistic direction of Ann Filmer.  2008 marks its first season.  

The BERWYN CULTURAL CENTER, a North Berwyn Park District managed facility, is dedicated to providing the highest quality and range of cultural arts programs, classes, workshops, events, and exhibitions providing opportunities for Berwyn residents and area artists.  The center will provide year-round programs engaging participants of all ages in visual, performing, literary, martial and media arts and 16th Street Theater's professional productions. The BCC also will serve as an incubator for emerging artists, artisans, writers, performers and musicians to develop and present new works.  The center is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and sustainability of our local communities by advancing appreciation for the beauty of cultural diversity.