Gente de Teatro-Houston (GdT) was founded after several members performed in Mario Benedetti’s “Primavera con una esquina rota,” directed by Ricardo Yamal at Rice University. Its founding members, Esteban Gago, Marcela Salas, and Claudia Soroka, recognized Houston’s need for a Spanish-language theatre company to present renowned Latin American plays in their original written language.

In 2008, Gente de Teatro started including Spanish playwrights in its repertoire. In September 2011, it introduced English surtitles during its performances for the first time. It was the first theater company to perform in Spanish at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. In 2021, GdT expanded its mission to include plays from acclaimed international authors. Since 1995, Gente de Teatro has presented 38 plays. GdT is the only non-profit theater company in Houston that has continuously performed in Spanish since 1995, primarily at Rice University’s Hamman Hall and MATCH. GdT was nominated for “Most Improved Theater Company” at the Broadway World Houston Region Awards in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

 In 2018, GdT received the inaugural Premio Puente (The Bridge Award) at the Sin Muros Theater Festival, honoring its work and involvement in Houston’s art community. In 2019, Madenusa, written by GdT member and playwright Claudia Soroka, was nominated for Best New Play at the Broadway World 2019 Houston Region Awards. GdT has also been recognized by the General Consulate of Argentina in Houston and the Cultural Cabinet of the Argentine Chancellery. In November 2022, Toc Toc by Laurent Baffie, adapted into Spanish by Julián Quintanilla, was nominated for Best Play and Best Ensemble Performance at the Broadway World 2022 Houston Region Awards. In 2022, GdT received special acknowledgment from the Consulate General of Spain in Houston for its work and support of the “Octubre Ibérico” program.

Gente de Teatro relies on the generous sponsorship of Blue Wave Supplier Development Program and the support of these organizations: the Consulate General of the Argentine Republic in Houston, the Consulate General of Spain in Houston, the Theatre Network of TX, Casa Argentina de Houston, La Casa de España, the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston, Cámara de Empresarios Latinos de Houston, the Argentina Texas Chamber of Commerce, Asociación Uruguaya en Houston, Alief ISD Education Foundation, Doray Castillo Productions, Qué Hacer en Houston, TX, and El Venezolano en Houston.

Gente de Teatro members work tirelessly to enrich the quality of life for Houston’s community through education, cultural awareness, and entertainment. Gente de Teatro boasts a loyal, primarily bilingual audience that grows in size year after year.

www.gentedeteatro.org * mail@gentedeteatro.org * 713-826-0445