PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
by Ian Robles
Directed by Mario Colón
March 15-31, 2024
At Teatro Círculo
by Ian Robles
OUR STAFF
José Cheo Oliveras,
Founding Artistic Director
Virginia Louloudes,
Development Director
Edna Lee Figueroa,
Marketing Director / Social Media Manager
James Figueroa,
Financial Manager
Eva Vásquez,
Co-Founder & Educational Program Director
Verónica Caicedo,
Facilities Manager
Rubén Darío Cruz,
Director of Audience Development
& ‘Abuelito, dime tú’ Program Coordinator
Camila Caicedo,
Box Office Manager
Cinzia Meneghello,
Web Designer / Web Master
Mariano de Paco Serrano,
Associate Artistic Director
Dean M. Zayas,
Associate Artistic Director, Emeritus
Pablo Zinger,
Musical Director
Israel Franco-Müller,
Resident Production Designer
Omayra Garriga Casiano,
Technical Production Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eric Rivera, Chair
Special Assistant to the Commissioner/Chief Diversity Officer, NYC Department of Aging
Rocky Lizardi, Treasurer
Sony Music Entertainment
Paul Marín, Secretary
Director of Communications, Hispanic Federation
José Cheo Oliveras
Founding Artistic Director, Teatro Círculo
Eva Vásquez
York College
Fernando Travesí
International Center for Transitional Justice
Laura Aguinaga
Actress, Producer, Writer
Barbara Matos
Founder & CEO – Socorro Strategies
MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS…
National Endowment for the Arts
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul
New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council
Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment
New York City Council Members Carlina Rivera – District 2, Shaun Abreu – District 7, Diana Ayala – District 8, Amanda Farías – District 18, Francisco Moya – District 21, Sandy Nurse – District 37
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Daniel S. Goldman, U.S. House of Representatives
Small Business Administration
The Tow Foundation
The Howard Gilman Foundation
New York Community Trust
The National Latinx Theater Initiative
The Shubert Foundation
The Emma A. Sheafer Charitable Trust
The Hispanic Federation
Jeffrey & Paula Gural
The Mid-Atlantic Arts, through USArtists International
Lily Auchincloss Foundation
The Kaplen Brothers Fund
The Cory & Bob Donnalley Charitable Foundation
The Michael Tuch Foundation
The Lucille Lortel Foundation
Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation
Con Edison
Bank of America
Ian Robles is a member of the 2023-24 cohort of The Tow Foundation Playwright Residency Program.
Tow Playwright Residency program offers playwrights the opportunity to focus on their craft, gain experience and insight into all aspects of the nonprofit theater world and debut their work.
For more information on how to make a tax-deductible donation visit:
Lío is made possible in part, by the generous support of:
For more information about touring productions contact us at
(347) 581-2857 or at rcruz@teatrocirculo.org
Our rehearsal space and theaters are available for rent
at very affordable rates.
Contact us at (347) 967-4765 / vcaicedo@teatrocirculo.org or visit:
Tell us what you think of Lío on Show Score
PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
by Ian Robles
Directed by Mario Colón
March 15-31, 2024
A Puerto Rican drama about colonialism and a trampled national identity.
Running time: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. No intermission.
WORLD PREMIERE
CAST
Jorge Sánchez Díaz* (Lío)
Boricua actor. He has worked with Theatre for a New Audience (The Skin of our Teeth, dir. Arin Arbus), Repertorio Español (Los empeños de una casa), The Public Theater (Weasel Festival 2019), Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (Next Stage Ensemble’s tour of Twelfth Night), Classical Theatre of Harlem (The Three Musketeers), Theatre Raleigh (Ayad Akhtar’s Junk), INTAR (One Minute Play Festival, dir. Lou Moreno), and Lincoln Center Education (Trusty Sidekick’s Shadow Play). He obtained his MFA in Acting from Brooklyn College, where he performed in the New York premiere of Erin Courtney’s I Will Be Gone and the world premieres of Heloise Wilson’s La Folie and Jerry Lieblich’s Tongue Depressor at the Public Theater’s Weasel Festival. He is a proud company member of Wombat Theatre Company, where he played Hamlet, Lysander, Christian de Neuvillete in Cyrano de Bergerac, and Leonard Irving in Sarah Ruhl’s In the Next Room, or the vibrator play. Jorge is also a professor of acting and public speaking at CUNY – City College of New York and Brooklyn College. He lives in Brooklyn with his cat, Tata.
SAG-AFTRA / AEA
jorgesanchezdiaz.com
*Appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
Bryan J. Cortés* (Chris)
Born and raised in Puerto Rico. While he was young, he developed the artistic gene. He started his career as a dancer with companies like Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, Ballet Teatro de Puerto Rico, Odyssey Dance Theater, and Bad Boys of Dance.
Expanding his horizons, Bryan began training with famed acting studios William Esper Studios and Terry Knickerbocker Studios. Shortly after graduating, Bryan joined Repertorio Español where he made his debut in ‘Filomena Marturano, matrimonio a la caribeña’. He was nominated for Best Actor for his role as Miguel (ATI Awards). He recently made his Broadway debut in the musical ‘New York New York’ in the role of Mateo.
When not acting you can find Bryan dancing, personal training, or healing as a Reiki therapist. “I am beyond thrilled to join Teatro Círculo in such a special project!”
Instagram @bryan_j_cortes
*Appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
Karina Curet (Tere)
Born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Holds a BFA in Acting from SUNY Purchase and an MFA from NYU Grad Acting. Won 3rd place in Repertorio Español’s 2022 Voces Latinx Playwriting Competition for her play ‘Agua por todas partes’. Was a member of the NYU Continuum Project in 2023 with the play ‘Romeo y Julieta: Un poco de mier*** y poesía’ directed by James Calder and presented in Florence, Italy. Has worked as a casting assistant, Shakespeare coach, and theatre teacher. NYU credits include: ‘Queens’, ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’, ‘Three Sisters’, ‘The Tempest’, and ‘Learned Ladies of Park Avenue’.
CREATIVE TEAM AND CREW
Ian Robles (Playwright)
Puerto Rican theatre-maker who writes theatrical, bold and chaotic plays about colonialism, failure and the resilience of the human spirit. He’s currently a Tow Foundation Playwright-in-Residence member. 2023 The O’Neill Theater Center (National Playwrights Conference) semifinalist in CT, The Orchard Project’s 2022, Adaptation Lab finalist, and The Bushwick Starr 2022 Reading Series finalist. Abniel Marat Award recipient for Best Playwright at the FUERZAfest 2018 with Mr. Mr. & Dr. Dr. His works have been produced at Teatro LATEA, Pregones/PRTT and the Julia de Burgos Performance and Arts Center. Member of the LatinX Playwright’s Circle, The Omnivores and the Puerto Rican theatre company La Bicicleta. MFA in Playwriting, 2023, Hunter College (with Christine Scarfuto, David Adjmi, Mia Chung, Lisa D’Amour and Maria Striar).
Mario Colón (Director)
Graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus. He is a theater director, educator, and cultural manager. He has more than 30 years of experience in the performing arts. His work as a director has been presented in more than thirty international festivals throughout Europe, North, Central and South America. Some of his most outstanding directing credits: El olor del pop corn, Salsa gorda, Bohemia 18’ altos, Cuando Gloria llame, Tres lirios cala, Corona de amor y muerte, Asdrahur, Mujeres de ojos grandes, Emigrados, Cosas que encontré en el camino; among others.
In New York, his recent directing credits are Tierra del fuego (HOLA and ATI Awards-Best Director) and Cuarto interior (ATI Award-Best Director, Short Format).
He is Vice President of Special Initiatives for the Hispanic Federation.
Mario wants to dedicate this play to all his teachers in the theatrical arts, especially to Dr. José Luis Ramos Escobar.
Ana Gabriel (Assistant Director & Stage Manager)
From Mexico City. Her professional experience includes theater and television productions. In television she worked as Production Coordinator and General Producer. Some programs and reality shows in which she collaborated include: ‘Mexico’s Next Top Model 1st season’,’ E! Latin News’, ‘Fashion Police México 2nd season’, ‘La sopa’, ‘Cámbiame el Look 2nd season’, ‘Big Brother US’, ‘MasterChef México 3rd season’, among others. Her experience in theater was mostly as a Stage Manager and Assistant Director. Before moving to New York, she was Resident Director of the play ’12 Princesses in Fight’.
In NY she has served as Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager and Assistant Director. She has collaborated in some productions, mostly for Teatro SEA and Boundless Theater Company (Assistant Stage Manager for the award-winning play ‘How to Melt ICE’).
Omayra Garriga Casiano (Lighting Designer)
NYC based theater maker. Born and raised in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico. Production design of Teatro Círculo’s CALLBACKseries2023 and DANCEseries2023. Boundless Theatre Company Associate Artist. Lighting design: La Carta-Danza (2021). Set Design: Mercado libre (2022) El Barrio Raíces (2018- 2021). Credits in lighting design: Teatro Círculo’s La caída de Rafael Trujillo (2023), CALLBACKseries (2016-2021), The One Festival (2017-2021), La celestina (2019). Credits in set design: Teatro Círculo’s CALLBACKseries (2015 & 2022). El barbero de Sevilla (2019), The Lesson (2018), The Waters of Friendship (2018), Nanas (2018). Holds a BA in Theater Education from the University of Puerto Rico and an MFA in Theater Design from Brooklyn College. Omayra has taken classes with international groups like Theater of the Oppressed (Brazil), Malayerba (Ecuador) and Yuyachkani (Peru).
Israel Franco Müller (Set Designer)
Production Manager and Set, Lighting & Costume Designer. International theatre designer whose works have been seen in: Alcalá and Almagro’s Classical Theater Festival in Spain 2022, Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival in Scotland, Cuba, Mexico, among other countries. Awards: Outstanding Costume Design- ‘Fuente Ovejuna’ (Teatro Círculo, ATI 2023), Outstanding Production Designer- ‘El caballero de Olmedo’ (Teatro Círculo, HOLA 2018), Best Set and Costume Design- ‘El burlador de Sevilla’ (Teatro Círculo, ATI 2019). Franco-Müller holds a Ph.D. in Theater Design and Technical Production from the Complutense University of Madrid.
Eliana Michelle Yost (Costume Designer)
Actress, model, Assistant Director, Stage Manager, Set & Costume Designer. BA in Performing Arts, UNC. Winner of the Creation Scholarship 2020 (National Art Fund, Argentina). With Teatro Círculo: ‘La caída de Rafael Trujillo’ (Costume Design, Assistant Director, Stage Manager) and ‘Fuente Ovejuna’ (Costume Design Assistant), ‘Perfecta invisible’ (Boundless Theatre Company), ‘Empeño de una casa’ (Repertorio Español), ‘LLONTOP’ (Anonymous Ensemble), ‘Magníficas’ (UNC), ‘Cama adentro’ (Intrus teatro), ‘Vamos al rescat’e (Magníficas Teatro), ‘La clínica de la doctora Lola’ (Magníficas Teatro), ‘Pluvium’ (UNC), ‘Transversión’ (UNC), ‘¿Y cómo no se pudrió Blancanieves?’ (Intrus teatro), ‘Humanidad expuesta’ (UNC), ‘¿Dónde está mi zapato?’ (Potrero Teatro), ‘El náufrago’ (Potrero Teatro).
Instagram: @eluyost
Luis Sanz (Cuatro Music Composer & Musician)
Is a talented cuatro player, composer, musical director of Hermanos Sanz and professor at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. He began playing the Puerto Rican cuatro at the age of four; by age nine he had appeared with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. Luis’ creative development and talent in improvisation brought him to arranging and composing works that has been perform in China, France and the United States. He has produced three recording albums. Luis headlined the Latin Grammy Award 2017 show with Residente, and collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda on music for a new film about Puerto Rican culture. In 2018, Luis composed the film score and music performance for the documentary “Pa’ lante”. Also, he was selected as the ambassador of the cuatro for the Puerto Rican Parade at New York and was awarded of the Chancellor’s Artpreneur Grant by the Kenan Institute for the Arts at UNCSA, 2019. He continues to open new paths to connect traditional Puerto Rican forms and sonorities with contemporary Classical techniques in order to create a legacy for future generations.
Luis earned his BA in Music Composition at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music with his mentor Alfonso Fuentes. At the same time, he earned a BA at Inter-American University of Puerto Rico in Bass performance with Professor Samuel Morales, with a minor in Education. Luis holds an MA in Music Composition at UNCSA with Professor Lawrence Dillon.
Projections Design: Milton M. Cordero / miltoncordero.com
Body Movement Coach: Daniel Irizarry
Sound Design and Mixing / Translation for Overtitles: Ian Robles
Makeup Artist / Overtitles Operator: Kareliz Michelle
Boat Construction: Manuel Gómez Crespo, Matías Ulibarry
Painted Floor: Israel Franco Müller
Set Designer Assistants: Margarita Sánchez Hernández, Emma Michelle González De La Cruz
Stage Crew Assistants: Manuel Gómez Crespo, Matías Ulibarry, Andrés López Alicea, Lizeth Pasco, Victoria Alexandra
Promotional Photos: Rubén Darío Cruz, Mario Colón
Graphic Design & Performances Photos: Edna Lee Figueroa
SPECIAL THANKS FROM PLAYWRIGHT IAN ROBLES
I first want to thank the people that made all of this possible, starting with the one and only, Mario. Not only did he connect me with Teatro Círculo to apply for this opportunity, but he made sure I was well taken care throughout the entire creative process. Aside from being an amazing director and human being to work with, Mario’s unique commitment and dedication to bringing this play up has been the greatest gift.
I also want to thank the actors (Jorge, Karina and Bryan) who have significantly contributed to the craft and creation of this play, along with Mario. Without them, this play wouldn’t be where it is today.
Of course, I want to thank José Cheo Oliveras for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to have this experience and for trusting me along the way.
Also, my infinite thanks to Leonard, Eileen and the Tow Foundation for their immense support with this residence.
Last, but not least, I also want to thank some amazing people I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with: Ana Gabriel, Omayra Garriga, Daniel Irizarry, Milton Cordero, Michael Vélez, Eli Yost, Israel Franco Müller, Edna Lee Figueroa, Manuel Gómez, Matías Ulibarry, Luis Sanz, and The Hispanic Federation
SPECIAL THANKS FROM DIRECTOR MARIO COLÓN
Hispanic Federation, Jorge Reyes, José Cheo Oliveras, Teatro Círculo
Teatro Círculo would like to thank The Tow Foundation; and our audience, thank you for your continuous support throughout the years and for celebrating with us our 30th Anniversary.
The Tow Foundation promotes expanded access to opportunities that improve people’s lives and strengthen society. Grounded in its decades of work in Connecticut and New York, the Foundation supports nonprofit organizations and visionary leaders to find and enact innovative solutions to persistent inequality. It works to ensure people can become full participants in their communities, achieve transformative and lasting progress, and develop approaches that allow everyone to reach their full potential.
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