esperaré

CimientosReading2024

Jun 8

*“All of my best words were born from the palms of your hands.”*

Written by **Antonia Cruz-Kent**
Directed by Siouxsie Easter
Staged Reading Presentation:
**Saturday, June 8, 2024** – **3:00 PM**
Language: **English**
Tickets:
*General admission, one reading -* **$10**
*Two reading pass -* **$15**
*Cimientos full season pass (10 readings) -* $50
Available at the door and ***online >>***
Location:
**IATI Theater Studio**
64 E. 4th St 2 Fl
New York, NY, 10003
Hashtag: **#Cimientos2024**
*Painting featured in poster “Found F.” by Myron “Bud” Weisberg.*

Synopsis

Antonia Cruz-Kent’s esperaré is a tragicomedy, a tribute to the playwright’s family, and an oral-history inspired rumination on grief. This piece is about loving, mourning, and embracing your ancestors as a Jewish Boricua, with family coming from two different, complex worlds. When young Toñita/Toni parts with her ill-fated "big love", her guardian angel, Marian, appears to her in a place between waking and dreaming. She re-introduces Toñita/Toni to two beloved relatives who died when she was a child: her Great Uncle Bud (a lovable troublemaker) and her Abuelo (a fierce and friendly warrior). She walks in her ancestors' shoes, witnesses their mistakes and triumphs, and in the end, learns what "big love" really means.

Playwright

Antonia Cruz-Kent

(she/her) A Nuyorican-Jewish playwright and actor. She is a third-year MFA Playwright at Columbia University, an alum of the CalArts BFA Acting program, and a company member of Hero Theatre. Playwriting credits include Isolina and Hamburgerpillow in the Bronx (INTAR), esperaré (Columbia University), Eternity (Columbia University) & Sea and Sky (Columbia University). Acting credits include Richard II (Hip to Hip Theatre Company), The Conduct of Life (Hero Theatre), I've never planned... (Columbia University) & An Atlas to the Night… (CalArts CNP). She’s thrilled to be a part of Cimientos 2024!

@antoniacruzkent / ‣ antoniacruzkent.com

Staged Reading Artistic Team

Siouxsie Easter, Director

A theatre director, deviser, and educator. She relishes working with playwrights and theatre makers on new works. Siouxsie helped found the Advanced Studies in England Theatre Summer School in Bath, England and was Professor of Theatre at Wells College. She recently relocated to Texas where she is the Director of Upper School Theatre at FWCD and teaches Improv at Stage West Theatre. Siouxsie is thrilled to be back directing at IATI!