Repertorio Español
# Repertorio Español

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 theater to broad-ranging audiences in New York City and around the country. Robert Weber Federico joined the company two years later as Resident Designer and Associate Artistic Producer and is currently the organization's Executive Director.

## History

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 Yolanda Arenas and Ofelia González, who was the first actress to win an Obie Award without having performed in English. Another addition was Pilar Rioja in 1973, marking the beginning of a relationship that has established Rioja as a legend in Spanish dance. In 1980, Musical Director Pablo Zinger initiated a musical ensemble that presented zarzuelas, operas, and elegant musical anthologies.

In 1984, the company began to present and commission new plays by Hispanic American playwrights, and in 1991 it inaugurated an infrared simultaneous translation system that provides an opportunity for non-Spanish-speaking audiences to enjoy the company's vast selection of plays.

More recently, Repertorio presented the world premiere in Spanish of Nilo Cruz's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Ana en el trópico (Anna in the Tropics). The play's cast included celebrities such as Spanish TV soap opera star Francisco Gattorno and Denise Quiñones (Miss Universe 2001).

Repertorio Español received the 2011 OBIE Award for Lifetime Achievement; a 1996 Drama Desk Special Award for presenting quality theater; a 1996 Obie Award for the play series Voces nuevas (New Voices); the New York State Governor's Award; as well as many citations by the Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos (ACE) and the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA).

## Works or publications

* CubaTeatro : a Study Guide for the Theatre of Abelardo Estorino. New York: Repertorio Español. 1999. OCLC 48202937.
* El burlador de Sevilla y El convidado de piedra. New York. 1988. OCLC 830033795.
* El público. New York. 1999. OCLC 51636651.
* El huésped. New York: Spanish Theatre Repertory. 1990. OCLC 37383739.
* Federico García Lorca : a Study Guide. New York: Spanish Theatre Repertory. 1993. OCLC 37383931.
* Gabriel García Márquez, La cándida Eréndira : a Study Guide. New York: Spanish Theatre Repertory. 1993. OCLC 37383796.
* La celestina : la tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea. 1978. OCLC 84143221.
* Latino Plays from Repertorio Español's MetLife Playwriting Competition. South Gate, CA: Nopassport Press. 2012. OCLC 813311097.
* Latino Plays from Repertorio Español's MetLife Playwriting Competition. South Gate, CA: Nopassport Press. 2012. OCLC 817971377.
* Nelson 2 Rodrigues. New York. 1990. OCLC 830033694.
* Romeo y Julieta. 1979. OCLC 77592294.
* The Don Juan Study Guide. New York: Spanish Theatre Repertory. 1988. OCLC 37383695.
* Two Latina Playwrights : a Study Guide for Café con leche by Gloria González and Botánica by Dolores Prida. New York: Spanish Theatre Repertory. 1991. OCLC 37383668.
* Vagos rumores (Obscure Rumors). New York. 1996. OCLC 54894648.
* Vagón (Boxcar). New York: Repertorio Español. 2009. OCLC 671240022.
* Yerma. New York. 1998. OCLC 82506638.
