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Spit in Your Face at Detroit Repertory Theatre
Dates: 5/29/2026 - 6/28/2026
📍 Theatre: Detroit Repertory Theatre
13103 Woodrow Wilson St
Detroit, MI 48238
Phone: 3138681347
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World Premiere Political Satire
by Paul Heller & Alberto Lomnitz
When an idealistic American producer hires Liliana—a young Mexican American woman of Indigenous descent—to assist a fiery, notoriously radical Mexican director, he thinks he’s building cultural bridges. Instead, he sets the stage for a theatrical battleground of egos and performative righteousness between the “anti-capitalist” producer and the “anti-colonialist” director. With Liliana caught in their crossfire, she must reclaim the narrative from the men who claim to speak for her.
This bombastic new work is a hilarious look at modern politics and absurd theatre.
This play has one fifteen minute intermission.
Spit in Your Face at Detroit Repertory Theatre Schedule
Anette Orellana as Liliana Tzintz n and Henry Ballesteros as Fernando Calder n in Spit in Your Face by Paul Heller and Alberto Lomnitz Credit: Christine Bedenis, Detroit Repertory Theatre
Anette Orellana as Liliana Tzintz n in Spit in Your Face by Paul Heller and Alberto Lomnitz Credit: Christine Bedenis, Detroit Repertory Theatre
Anette Orellana as Liliana Tzintz n and Henry Ballesteros as Fernando Calder n in Spit in Your Face by Paul Heller and Alberto Lomnitz Credit: Christine Bedenis, Detroit Repertory Theatre
Henry Ballesteros as Fernando Calder n in Spit in Your Face by Paul Heller and Alberto Lomnitz Credit: Christine Bedenis, Detroit Repertory Theatre
Matt Hollerbach as Tom Leary and Henry Ballesteros as Fernando Calder n in Spit in Your Face by Paul Heller and Alberto Lomnitz Credit: Christine Bedenis, Detroit Repertory Theatre
Henry Ballesteros as Fernando Calder n, Matt Hollerbach as Tom Leary, and Anette Orellana as Liliana Tzintz n in Spit in Your Face by Paul Heller and Alberto Lomnitz Credit: Christine Bedenis, Detr
Cast and Creative Team for Spit in Your Face at Detroit Repertory Theatre
Cast
Matt Hollerbach
Tom Leary
Matt Hollerbach has been a professional actor for 15 years and also serves as the Rep’s Administrative and Financial Director. He received a B.A. in Drama at the University of Michigan, apprenticed with the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, MI and the Barrow Group in New York, and studied acting with Labyrinth Theatre and T. Schreiber Studios in New York. He’s performed on stages around Southeast Michigan and in New York and appeared most recently on the Rep stage as Irvin in 2025’s hit August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. In addition to his theatre work, Matt is an organizer with Detroit Will Breathe.
Anette Orellana
Liliana Tzintzún
Anette Orellana is making her Detroit Repertory Theatre debut and has been a professional actor for a year. Her previous productions include Hair (The Ringwald), The Prom, Into the Woods, and The Usherette in The Rocky Horror Show (The Hillberry Gateway). She graduated with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Musical Theatre from Wayne State University last year.
Henry Ballasteros
Fernando Calderón
Henry Ballesteros has been a professional actor for 11 years and is making his Detroit Rep debut. He recently performed as Vinnie in Lucky Stiff and Pithetaerus in The Birds (The Flint Rep). Other recent credits include Officer/Ensemble in Twelfth Night (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Duke Senior/Adam in As You Like It (Shakespeare in Detroit), Bellomy in The Fantasticks (Open Book Theatre Co.), Warren in Ordinary Days (Penny Seats Theatre Co.), and Bruce Bechdel in Fun Home (Tooele Valley Theatre Co.). Henry received his BFA in acting from Southern Utah University.
Creative Team
Maurizio Dominguez
Co-Director
Maurizio Dominguez is a filmmaker by day and an actor by night, and is one of the co-founders of Break the Chain Theatre Company. He previously directed Loretta's Crematorium Hour for the 2022 One-Act Play Festival with Break the Chain. Onstage, he most recently worked with Rosedale Community Players for Eyes to the Stars, and with Shakespeare Royal Oak for Love's Labors Lost. When he’s not editing film or learning lines, Maurizio can be found singing karaoke, dancing Zumba, or air drumming.
Leah Smith
Co-Director
Leah Smith has been with the Detroit Rep since her first appearance in Jar the Floor in 2002. At the Rep, she has been an actor 14 times, directed 12 plays, stage managed 9 shows, and is now the executive artistic director of the DRT. She started her producing career when she was 23 with the company, POW (Pissed Off Womyn), and then later with RAT (Real Alternative Theatre) Productions. She is a proud member of AEA, and prouder to be a part of this legendary Detroit cultural institution. She thanks everyone who has given so much to the Rep over the past few years, especially the bartender.
Harold Jurkiewicz
Stage Manager
Harold Jurkiewicz most recently worked at the Rep as the Stage Manager for August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. In memory of Don Whisted and Richard Cowper. Enjoy the show.
Damian Bullis
Technical Director
Damian Bullis has been the Technical Director at the Rep since 2023. He received his education from Detroit Rep legends such as Robert Vogue Williams, Harry Wetzel, Lynch Travis, and of course Leah Smith and Bruce Millan. He’s also the resident barkeep; don’t be shy, head over and say hello!
Drew Hall
Set Design
Drew Hall has been working in theatre for 15 years professionally. Drew has worked as a Scenic Designer and Scenic Painter for the Birmingham Village Players and Stagecrafters Royal Oak, where he learned everything he knows under the guidance of stage crew veterans. He designed the sets for August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson and Eclipsed at the Rep. Drew is the Technical Theatre Director at Mercy High School.
Dan Morency
Lighting Design
Dan Morency has been the Rep’s lighting designer for a decade. His work was most recently a part of Primary Trust, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, and Eclipsed.
Krista Pennington
Sound & Projection Design
Krista Pennington has been the sound designer at the Rep since 2023 and has her degree in theatre based in sound design from Alma College. This is Krista’s 15th consecutive show she has designed at the Rep.
Sandra Glover
Costume Design
Sandra Glover has been a professional theatre worker for 30 years and is the costumer for Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and the Detroit Repertory Theatre. She studied at Henry Ford College and Wayne State University. She has been working with the Detroit Repertory Theatre for decades.
X’ydee Alexander
Property Design
X’ydee Alexander is continuing her exploration of property design with this production. She is the Rep’s Box Office Manager, an actor—recently seen in Eclipsed on the Rep stage—and a crafty, curious person.
James Herriotte
Property Design
James Herriotte is experimenting with property design with this production. He also works as the Outreach Director and the Light Board Operator here at the Rep. You may also remember his “warm and winning performance” (Detroit Free Press) as Sylvester in the 2025 hit production of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Oscar Rodriguez Quiroz
Dialect Coach
News About Spit in Your Face at Detroit Repertory Theatre
SPIT IN YOUR FACE World Premiere To Be Presented At Detroit Repertory Theatre
May 08, 2026 The Detroit Repertory Theatre closes its 69th season with the world premiere of SPIT IN YOUR FACE, a political comedy by Paul Heller and Alberto Lomnitz, co-directed by Maurizio Dominguez and Leah Smith.
THE PIANO LESSON, ECLIPSED and More Set for Detroit Repertory Theatre 69th Season
October 02, 2025 Detroit Repertory Theatre has announced its 69th season, running November 2025–June 2026. The lineup includes Eboni Booth’s Primary Trust, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, the Michigan premiere of Danai Gurira’s Eclipsed, and the world premiere of Spit in Your Face.About the Theatre
Similar Shows Nearby
Detroit Repertory Theatre Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What shows are coming up next at Detroit Repertory Theatre?
When We Were Young and Unafraid (11/06/26-12/13/26)
Purpose (01/08/27-03/14/27)
Rodeo Clown (04/02/27-05/02/27)
August Wilson's Seven Guitars (05/21/27-06/27/27)
Purpose (01/08/27-03/14/27)
Rodeo Clown (04/02/27-05/02/27)
August Wilson's Seven Guitars (05/21/27-06/27/27)
Where is Detroit Repertory Theatre located?
Detroit Repertory Theatre is at 13103 Woodrow Wilson St, Detroit, MI.
What shows have played recently at Detroit Repertory Theatre?
Eclipsed (03/27/26-05/17/26)
August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (01/09/26-03/15/26)
Primary Trust (11/07/25-12/28/25)
Covenant (05/16/25-07/07/25)
Hysterical! (03/14/25-05/04/25)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (01/10/25-03/02/25)
Alamo Shoes (11/01/24-12/22/24)
Between Riverside and Crazy (05/17/24-07/07/24)
August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (01/09/26-03/15/26)
Primary Trust (11/07/25-12/28/25)
Covenant (05/16/25-07/07/25)
Hysterical! (03/14/25-05/04/25)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (01/10/25-03/02/25)
Alamo Shoes (11/01/24-12/22/24)
Between Riverside and Crazy (05/17/24-07/07/24)
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