What's Next Lab

Tanya Saracho (Playwright)

Was born in Sinaloa, México and is a resident playwright emeritus at Chicago Dramatists, a current resident playwright at Teatro Vista, a Goodman Theater Fellow at the Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender at Columbia College, an Artistic Associate with About Face Theater, the founder of The Ñ Series and the Co-Founder and former Artistic Director of Teatro Luna: Chicago’s All Latina Theatre. Tanya has been the lead artist in most of Teatro Luna's ensemble-devised works including "Generic Latina," "Dejame Contarte," "The Maria Chronicles," "SOLO Latinas," "SOLO Tú," "S-E-X-Oh!" and "Lunatic(a)s." Her plays include: “El Nogalar” inspired by “The Cherry Orchard” opening in the Spring of 2011 at The  Goodman Theater, and commissioned by Teatro Vista;  an adaptation of "The House on Mango Street" for Steppenwolf Theater SYA (2009);  "Our Lady of The Underpass" with Teatro Vista (2009); "Surface Day" with Steppenwolf/Chicago Children's Humanity Festival (2008); "Jarred (A Hoodoo Comedy)" with Teatro Luna (2008); "Kita y Fernanda" at 16th Street Theatre (2008) and "Quita Mitos" with Teatro Luna (2006) and coming to Next Theater in March of 2011. Saracho is a recipient of an NEA Distinguished New Play Development Project Grant and winner of  the Ofner Prize given by the Goodman Theatre, a 3Arts Artists Award, named Best New Playwright of 2010 by Chicago Magazine, named one of nine Latino Luminaries by Cafe Magazine and recipient of the Revolutionary Award given by the National Museum of Mexican Art .  Coming up:  A historical fiction titled "The Good Private" for About Face Theater about a transgendered civil war soldier, a translation of a Juana Inés de la Cruz play to the English and two Mellon Foundation commission for Steppenwolf Theatre. Directing/co-directing credits include: "Jarred (A Hoodoo Comedy)", "SOLO Tú," "S-E-X-Oh!" and both productions of "Lunatic(a)s." the remount of "Generic Latina," "The Maria Chronicles," and "SÓLO Latinas." Tanya's performing credits include: Neil Labutte's "Fat Pig" with Renaissance Theatreworks in Milwaukee, Migdalia Cruz' "Another Part of the House" with Teatro Vista, "Living Out" with American Theatre Co./Teatro Vista, "Electricidad" at Goodman Theatre and "La Casa De Bernarda Alba" with Aguijon Theater. Tanya is a proud Chicago actor and her voice can be heard around the country in radio and television commercials.

Ricardo Gutierrez (Director)

This marks Ricardo’s initial collaboration with the talented folks at Next Theatre.  Ricardo is the Artistic Director and co-founder of Glass Onion Theatre where he is currently directing Romeo and Juliet.   He directed the world premier productions of Goods and Pasquini the Magnificent, both subsequent winners of the Samuel French Award for new plays. He is an ensemble member and directing associate with Teatro Vista and has served as the Artistic Director of Nosotros Theatre in Los Angeles and at the Canterbury Theatre in Indiana.  Ricardo is delighted to be collaborating with his colleague and friend, Tanya Saracho.

THE CAST:

Angelica Acebedo-Frint

Is thrilled to be making her Next Theatre Debut with this production of Quita Mitos. Soon after graduating from Northern Illinois University, where she double majored in Graphic Design and Corporate Communications, Angelica decided to pursue her passion and began studying acting in various theaters around Chicago. She has appeared in various TV commercials and was last seen performing at The Greenhouse Theatre with the talented ladies of Teatro Luna. Following this production, you can see her perform at Prop Theatre in No Roosters in the Desert opening in April.

Brenda Arellano (Connie)

is a film and theater artist based in Chicago. This is Brenda's first production with Next Theater. Previous credits include Antigona and Las Soldaderas with Aguijon Theater, Esperanza Rising with Chicago Children's Theater, and she helped generate and create the performance piece Exits and Smoke at Naropa University in Boulder, Co. She holds a BFA in Theater from Cornish College of the Arts.

Mari Stratton (Gracie)

Mari’s Chicago credits include: Company (Griffin Theatre), The Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare, school tour), The House on Mango Street (Steppenwolf Theatre), In Arabia We’d All Be Kings (Steep Theatre) (Non-Equity Jeff Award-Ensemble),  and will be in Roosters in the Dessert directed by Tanya Saracho this April with Prop Theatre. Mari has worked with Chicago Kids Company and is a proud company member of Barrel of Monkeys. She attended Simpson College and is a graduate of The School at Steppenwolf.   She would like to thank her family friends for their support and is excited to be working with Ricardo on such an amazing piece.