Repertorio Español
Encyclopedia
Repertorio Español was founded in 1968 by producer Gilberto Zaldívar
and Artistic Director René Buch to introduce the best of Latin American, Spanish and Hispanic-American theatre in distinctive, quality productions, and to bring theatre to a broad audience in New York City and across the country, including seniors, students and Hispanics of all national backgrounds. Robert Weber Federico joined the company two years later as Resident Designer and Associate Artistic Producer and is currently the organization’s Executive Director.
In 1972, Repertorio Español moved to the Gramercy Arts Theatre where the company has since remained. The critical success of the company’s first production, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? set the stage for years of admiration by English and Spanish newspaper critics and the company’s audiences.
From its earliest days, Repertorio has maintained a dramatic ensemble, attracting many talented veterans and emerging Hispanic actors, including Ofelia González, the first actress to win an Obie Award
without having performed in English. Another very special addition was Pilar Rioja in 1973, marking the beginning of a relationship which has established Ms. Rioja as a legend in Spanish Dance. In 1980, Pablo Zinger, Musical Director, initiated a musical ensemble that presented zarzuela, operas, and elegant musical anthologies.
In 1984, the company began to present and commission new plays by Hispanic-American playwrights and in 1991 inaugurated an infrared simultaneous translation system which provides an opportunity for non-Spanish speaking audiences to enjoy the company’s vast selection of plays.
Recently, Repertorio presented to critical acclaim, the world premiere in Spanish of Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Ana en el trópico (Anna in the Tropics). The play had a renowned cast that included celebrities such as Spanish TV soap opera star Francisco Gattorno
and Denise Quiñones
(Miss Universe
2001).
Repertorio Español received a 1996 Drama Desk Special Award
for presenting quality theater, a 1996 OBIE Award for the play series VOCES NUEVAS (New Voices), and The New York State Governor’s Award, as well as many citations by ACE, Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos and HOLA, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors
.
The artistic achievement of Repertorio Español; the support of its audiences; the contributions from individual donors; the participation of America’s most respected corporations and foundations, building bridges to the Hispanic-American community; and the ongoing support of government agencies have enabled the company to become a national treasure, providing a rich cultural environment which is unmatched by any other Spanish language theatre company in the United Stateshttp://www.repertorio.org/about/.
Gilberto Zaldívar
Juan Gilberto Zaldívar was the Cuban-born American co-founder of the Repertorio Español a Spanish language theater company based in New York City that presents classic Spanish plays, modern works from Hispanic playwrights and adaptions of works from other languages...
and Artistic Director René Buch to introduce the best of Latin American, Spanish and Hispanic-American theatre in distinctive, quality productions, and to bring theatre to a broad audience in New York City and across the country, including seniors, students and Hispanics of all national backgrounds. Robert Weber Federico joined the company two years later as Resident Designer and Associate Artistic Producer and is currently the organization’s Executive Director.
In 1972, Repertorio Español moved to the Gramercy Arts Theatre where the company has since remained. The critical success of the company’s first production, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? set the stage for years of admiration by English and Spanish newspaper critics and the company’s audiences.
From its earliest days, Repertorio has maintained a dramatic ensemble, attracting many talented veterans and emerging Hispanic actors, including Ofelia González, the first actress to win an Obie Award
Obie Award
The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given by The Village Voice newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City...
without having performed in English. Another very special addition was Pilar Rioja in 1973, marking the beginning of a relationship which has established Ms. Rioja as a legend in Spanish Dance. In 1980, Pablo Zinger, Musical Director, initiated a musical ensemble that presented zarzuela, operas, and elegant musical anthologies.
In 1984, the company began to present and commission new plays by Hispanic-American playwrights and in 1991 inaugurated an infrared simultaneous translation system which provides an opportunity for non-Spanish speaking audiences to enjoy the company’s vast selection of plays.
Recently, Repertorio presented to critical acclaim, the world premiere in Spanish of Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Ana en el trópico (Anna in the Tropics). The play had a renowned cast that included celebrities such as Spanish TV soap opera star Francisco Gattorno
Francisco Gattorno
Francisco Alejandro Gattorno Sánchez , better known in the show business world plainly as Francisco Gattorno, is a Cuban actor. He owns property in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida.-Biography:...
and Denise Quiñones
Denise Quiñones
Denise Marie Quiñones August is a Puerto Rican actress and beauty pageant titleholder who was the fourth woman from her country to win the Miss Universe contest...
(Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
2001).
Repertorio Español received a 1996 Drama Desk Special Award
Drama Desk Special Award
The Drama Desk Special Award is presented by the Drama Desk, a committee comprising New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors. It is a non-competitive award that honors an individual or an organization that has made a significant contribution to Broadway, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway,...
for presenting quality theater, a 1996 OBIE Award for the play series VOCES NUEVAS (New Voices), and The New York State Governor’s Award, as well as many citations by ACE, Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos and HOLA, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors
Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors
The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors is an active arts service and advocacy organization. It is in the United States and dedicated to Hispanic artists and actors....
.
The artistic achievement of Repertorio Español; the support of its audiences; the contributions from individual donors; the participation of America’s most respected corporations and foundations, building bridges to the Hispanic-American community; and the ongoing support of government agencies have enabled the company to become a national treasure, providing a rich cultural environment which is unmatched by any other Spanish language theatre company in the United Stateshttp://www.repertorio.org/about/.