esperaré

“All of my best words were born from the palms of your hands.”

Written by Antonia Cruz-Kent
Directed by Siouxsie Easter

Staged Reading Presentation:
Saturday, June 8, 2024 – 3:00 PM

Language: English

Tickets:
General admission, one reading - $10
Two reading pass - $15
Cimientos full season pass (10 readings) - $50

Location:
IATI Theater Studio
64 E. 4th St 2 Fl
New York, NY, 10003

Hashtag: #Cimientos2024

Painting featured in poster “Found F.” by Myron “Bud” Weisberg.

Tickets

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Synopsis

Antonia Cruz-Kent’s esperaré is a tragicomedy, a tribute to the playwright’s family, and an oral-history inspired rumination on grief. This piece is about loving, mourning, and embracing your ancestors as a Jewish Boricua, with family coming from two different, complex worlds. When young Toñita/Toni parts with her ill-fated "big love", her guardian angel, Marian, appears to her in a place between waking and dreaming. She re-introduces Toñita/Toni to two beloved relatives who died when she was a child: her Great Uncle Bud (a lovable troublemaker) and her Abuelo (a fierce and friendly warrior). She walks in her ancestors' shoes, witnesses their mistakes and triumphs, and in the end, learns what "big love" really means.

About the Playwright

Antonia Cruz-Kent (she/her) is a Nuyorican-Jewish playwright and actor. She is a third-year MFA Playwright at Columbia University, an alum of the CalArts BFA Acting program, and a company member of Hero Theatre. Playwriting credits include Isolina and Hamburgerpillow in the Bronx (INTAR), esperaré (Columbia University), Eternity (Columbia University) & Sea and Sky (Columbia University). Acting credits include Richard II (Hip to Hip Theatre Company), The Conduct of Life (Hero Theatre), I've never planned... (Columbia University) & An Atlas to the Night… (CalArts CNP). She’s thrilled to be a part of Cimientos 2024! @antoniacruzkent / antoniacruzkent.com