Maria Torres

Maria Torres is a world-renowned Choreographer, Director, Producer, and Performer whose contributions have led the way for Latinos in the arts. She is an active member of SDC and the League of Professional Theater Women and has served as an advocate for artists over the entire course of her career. Major stage and TV credits include current Bway hit On Your Feet! (Associate Choreo); Bway & National Tour of Swing!; Seagrams DJ Live Show (Clio Award); Latin Billboard Awards (Telemundo); Off- Bway productions of Latin Heat, Four Guys Named Jose (Carbonelle nom), The Donkey Show (A.R.T.), Mambo Kings, and Celia: The Life & Times of Celia Cruz; Don Omar's “King of Kings” (US Tour); and Disney’s Golden Mickeys (International Tour). Additional credits from feature to independent films include Dance With Me, Disney’s Enchanted, El Cantante (Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony), Fugly (John Leguizamo), and Physical Attraction. Current projects include Man Of La Mancha (5th Avenue); Havana Music Hall, and Pasion (Immersive theater). Maria carries an impact across new media platforms whether its creating choreography interactively on Jordan Roth's periscope Making Mondays, or she recently launched podcast “Hourglass: Time To Talk” offering insight into the professional performing arts industry while focusing on connections to humanity and to life.

Maria is a philanthropist with a strong desire to encourage aspiring artists, and create connections between supporting organizations, cultivating a solid network that will uplift, inspire and “pay it forward”. After years of teaching, mentoring and advocating, she founded the Maria Torres Emerging Artists Foundation (MTEAF) which also stands for Motivation, Teaching, Education, Action, and Fellowship. MTEAF is a rigorous, interdisciplinary educational and mentorship program in the performing arts empowering pre-teens and young adults, from multiethnic and underserved communities, to achieve their goals as professionals in the entertainment industry. Maria’s latest projects include strong partnerships that are aligned with similar goals which are why she looks forward to bringing her own extensive experience, industry resources and spirit of collaboration to the Chicago community is teaming up with The Miracle Center and with M.A.D.D. in Miami, FL to name a few.