Deborah Wicks La Puma Headshot

Deborah Wicks La Puma

Birth Place: San Diego, CA

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A composer, music director and orchestrator, Deborah Wicks La Puma is one of the most produced Theatre for Young Audiences artists working today. Her many and diverse works with playwright Karen Zacarías include "Ella Enchanted" (based on the book by Gail Carson Levine), "Olivério: A Brazilian Twist" (The Kennedy Center), "Frida Libre" (La Jolla Playhouse), "Chasing George Washington: A White House Adventure" (The Kennedy Center), "Looking for Roberto Clemente" (Imagination Stage) and "Einstein Is a Dummy" (The Alliance Theatre). With bestselling children's author Mo Willems she has created "Elephant and Piggie’s: We Are In A Play" (The Kennedy Center), and "Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience" (Seattle Children’s Theatre). With playwright Doug Cooney, La Puma created "Nobody's Perfect" (based on the book by Marlee Matlin), a bilingual musical in English and American Sign Language, commissioned by Very Special Arts and the Kennedy Center. Upcoming 2019 premieres include "She Persisted" (based on the book by Chelsea Clinton) with Adam Tobin at Bay Area Children’s Theatre, and "Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus: The Musical" with Mo Willems at the Kennedy Center. Her adult works include the lyric opera "Dakota Sky" and the Mexican folk musical "Perdita" (based on Shakespeare's Winter's Tale) with Kathleen Cahill; and Cornerstone Theater Company's "Making Paradise: The West Hollywood Musical". Recent music directing credits include "Destiny of Desire" (dir: José Luis Valenzuela) at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and "A Christmas Carol" (dir: Lauren Keating) at The Guthrie Theatre. She received her MFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and her bachelor's degree from Stanford University, and she studied folk music with ethnomusicologist Alfredo López Mondragón. Her honors include the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award, an NEA New American Works Grant, two Parents' Choice Awards, and a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical Adaptation. A proud Mexican-American and "Navy brat" who grew up in Brazil, Portugal and California, La Puma is a member of TYA USA/ASSITEJ, ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild. Mother to three daughters and Mimi the Cat, La Puma lives in Southern California with her PR Agent and loving husband, Chris.

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Westport Country Playhouse to Present DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS: THE MUSICAL


Westport Country Playhouse’s Family Festivities series will present “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets.

SHE PERSISTED: THE MUSICAL Comes to Oregon Children's Theatre This Month


Oregon Children’s Theatre will present She Persisted: the Musical at the Newmark Theatre, April 28 through May 26, 2024.

Virginia Repertory Theatre Announces WAITRESS, FAT HAM, And More for 2024-2025 SEASON


Virginia Rep has announced the 2024-2025 Season: an exciting line-up of musicals, plays, and special presentations at all three locations, including the Signature Season at the November Theatre downtown, the Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern, and the Family Season in the Jessie Bogese Theatre at the Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education. Partner productions in the Theatre Gym and additional community partnerships will be announced at a later time. 

ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S WE ARE IN A PLAY Comes To Charlotte


Mo Willems' dynamic duo Elephant & Piggie will go from the page to the stage starting on April 6, 2024, at Children's Theatre of Charlotte in the high-energy, vaudeville-style musical, “Elephant & Piggie's ‘We Are in a Play” 

Stages Theatre Announces 2024-2025 Season


Stages Theatre Company (STC) has announced their 2024-2025 season. It is 'A Mystical Season of Adventure' featuring a diverse blend of plays and musicals.

Photos: First Look At ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE'S 'WE ARE IN A PLAY!' At First Stage


First Stage has released first look photos of the return of ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN PLAY!”, a rollicking musical adventure written by Mo Willems and based on his award-winning Elephant & Piggie children’s books.

ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S WE ARE IN A PLAY! Returns To First Stage This Month


First Stage has announced the return of ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S “WE ARE IN PLAY!”, a rollicking musical adventure written by Mo Willems (Book and Lyrics) and based on his award-winning Elephant & Piggie children's books. Learn more about the production here!

ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S 'WE ARE IN A PLAY!' Returns To First Stage


First Stage announces the return of ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S 'WE ARE IN A PLAY!', a musical adventure based on Mo Willems' beloved children's books.

The 2024 National TYA/USA Award Recipients Revealed


 ​Theatre of Young Audiences/USA (​TYA/USA​)​, the national service organization connecting, cultivating, and advocating for the field of theatre for young audiences, will present the ​2024 National TYA/USA Awards​ in three categories. Learn more about the recipients here!

Mo Willems' Dynamic Duo, Elephant & Piggie, Come to Town at MET's Fun Company


Elephant and Piggie are coming to town at MET! Find out more about the upcoming show at Maryland Ensemble Theater here!

Bilingual CINDERELLA: A SALSA FAIRY TALE Coming To Imagination Stage


Imagination Stage, the metro DC region's largest professional theatre for young audiences and leader in positive youth development through the arts, continues its ‘Greatest Hits' season with writer/lyricist Karen Zacarías and composer Deborah Wicks La Puma's Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale, running February 15 - April 7, 2024.

Theatre For Young Audiences/USA Announces 2024 TYA/USA NATIONAL FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE Hosted By AllIance Theatre


Theatre for Young Audiences USA (TYA/USA), the national organization that provides advocacy and resources to the field of Theatre for Young Audiences, in collaboration with The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, will present the 2024 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference: POSSIBILITY on March 13-15, 2024.

Children's Theatre Of Charlotte's THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL Is Back For The Holidays


Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is bringing back their most popular show, 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical,' for the holidays. Don't miss this festive production!

Interview: Christina Freeman in ELLA ENCHANTED at The Growing Stage in Netcong


We had the pleasure of interviewing Christina Freeman who plays Olive in 'Ella Enchanted.'  She informed us about about her career and the upcoming show at The Growing Stage.

ELLA ENCHANTED Arrives At The Growing Stage In December


The Growing Stage presents ELLA ENCHANTED, opening on December 1st. Don't miss this holiday production!

Latiné Musical Theatre Lab Unveils 12 Teams of Writers for 2023 Julia de Burgos Cohort


he Latiné Musical Theatre Lab has revealed the writing teams for its Fall 2023 Julia de Burgos Cohort.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD to be Presented At Imagination Stage This Holiday Season


Imagination Stage will present 'A Year with Frog and Toad' as part of its 'Greatest Hits' season. Don't miss this Tony-award winning musical for young audiences.

The Growing Stage Announces 42nd Season


The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey has announced their 42nd Season, “Tell Me A Story.”  In addition to a full slate of shows, they have educational programming for young people grades Pre-K through High School and special events announced throughout the season.  

Single Tickets For First Stage's 2023/24 Season Go On Sale August 1!


Single tickets for First Stage's thrilling 2023/24 season will go on sale Tuesday, August 1 at 9:00 a.m..

First Stage 2023/24 Season Single Tickets On Sale in August


Single tickets for First Stage's thrilling 2023/24 season will go on sale on August 1st. Don't miss out on a variety of shows for all ages, including world premieres, musicals, and an exciting create your own adventure play. Get your tickets now and experience the exceptional theater First Stage produces.

Deborah Wicks La Puma FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Deborah Wicks La Puma written?

Deborah Wicks La Puma has written 1 shows including She Persisted, The Musical (Composer).

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