Las Borinqueñas - a new play by by Nelson Diaz-Marcano - extended to May 5h - 1950's Puerto Rico

 

 Ashley Marie Ortiz in Las Borinqueñas. Photo by Valerie Terranova.

It’s the 1950's in Puerto Rico

Las Borinqueñas: Where Freedom and Empowerment Collide in 1950s Puerto Rico

Directed by Rebecca Aparicio. Written by Nelson Diaz-Marcano.

1950s Puerto Rico. María, Fernanda, Yolanda, Rosa, and Chavela dream of a life beyond societal constraints. Their yearning for autonomy seems distant, yet a glimmer of hope emerges from across the miles.

In the United States, Dr. Gregory Pincus nears a scientific breakthrough - the birth control pill. But finalizing research requires willing participants for human trials. 

Enter the women of Puerto Rico, facing circumstances that make them prime candidates.

Las Borinqueñas, a play by Nelson Diaz-Marcano and directed by Rebecca Aparicio, explores this captivating and unsettling chapter in history. It's a story that goes beyond the science behind the pill. It reveals the sacrifices made by these women who dared to challenge societal norms and fight for control over their bodies and futures.

Las Borinqueñas is a must-see for anyone interested in women's history, the ethics of medical research, and the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy. It's a story with themes that continue to resonate today.

Maribel Martinez & Ashley Marie Ortiz in Las Borinqueñas. Photo by Valerie Terranova. 

Maribel Martinez & Ashley Marie Ortiz in Las Borinqueñas. Photo by Valerie Terranova. 

Nelson Diaz-Marcano (Playwright)

Nelson Diaz-Marcano (Playwright) is a Puerto Rican NYC-based theater maker, advocate, and community leader whose mission is to create work that challenges and builds community.

He currently serves as the Literary Director for the Latinx Playwright Circle where he has helped develop over 100 plays in the past three years.

His plays have been developed by the Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Road Theatre Company, Pipeline Theatre Company, Clubbed Thumb, The Lark, Vision Latino Theater Company, The Orchard Project, The William Inge Theatre Festival, Classical Theatre of Harlem, and The Parsnip Ship, among others. Recent credits include: World Classic (Bishop Theatre Arts Center), Y Tu Abuela, Where is She? Part 1 (CLATA), When the Earth Moves, We Dance (Clubbed Thumb, Teatro Vivo), The Diplomats (Random Acts Chicago), Paper Towels (INTAR), Misfit, America (Hunter Theatre Company), I Saw Jesus in Toa Baja (Conch Shell Productions), and Revolt! (Vision Latino Theatre Company).

Rebecca Aparicio (Director)

Rebecca Aparicio (Director) is a Cuban American, New York-based, bilingual director and writer. Recent directing: Jardin Salvaje by Karen Zacarias (GALA Hispanic Theatre, Helen Hayes recommended), Beastgirl, based on the chapbook by Elizabeth Acevedo, book by C. Quintana and music by Janelle Lawrence (Kennedy Center, Helen Hayes nominated); The House on the Lagoon by Caridad Svich (Gala Hispanic Theatre, Winner Best Direction Broadway World-DC), Sarita by Maria Irene Fornes (Roundabout Theatre Refocus Series), and Siluetas, book by Erlina Ortiz and music by Robi Hager (Powerstreet Theatre Company). As a director, she’s developed new work with American Repertory Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, McCarter Theatre, O'Neill Theatre Center, Playwrights Center, Powerstreet Theatre Company, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Musical Theatre Factory, The Flea Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem, National Black Theatre, and more. Past Fellowships include Roundabout Theatre’s Inaugural Directing Group, MTC Jonathan Alper Directing Fellow, The COOP’s Clusterf**k Writing Cohort, and a two-time SDCF Observership Award recipient. As a writer, her work includes the award-winning musical Pedro Pan (New York Musical Festival, Musical Theatre Factory, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, FringeNYC), Tree Tales (Prospect Theatre), Hindsight 2020 (Live & In Color), Legacy (Prospect Theatre), and The Garcia Sisters (Red Mountain Theatre. Rebecca is a CRNY artist-in-residence with the Latinx Playwrights Circle, a steering committee member of the Latinx Theatre Commons, and is a founding member of Magic Forest Theatre (dedicated to creating new musicals for young audiences). She also serves as a board member at The Flea and Rhinebeck Writers Retreat.