By Emma Couling
This past Monday, a day that the United States has set aside each year to celebrate a genocidal murderer who may reasonably be seen as the beginning of white terror in the Americas, The Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists (ALTA) held their inaugural award ceremony. The significance of the date was not lost on speech-makers and nominees.
“Tonight has been designated in honor of the violence and terror that has formed the heart of white power on this continent,” Lucas Garcia said in the night’s opening speech. “Although undoubtedly many of you have acknowledged and grappled with your own relationship to what today means in the history of the United States, I invite you all to take a moment right now to slow down, breathe, hold each other, hold the memories of your ancestors and loved ones in your heart and love courageously by remembering.”
It was a joyous evening focused on celebration and elevation as well as activism and movement toward a new and inclusive brand of theater in Chicago. The house exploded with cheers for every nominee and snaps, claps and tears of pride and joy for every winner. There are no losers in a space built for inclusivity.
Everything about the ALTA Awards is what award ceremonies should be, from structure to mood to the prioritization of what is important and should be celebrated. All arts awards ceremonies should include stage management, intimacy and fight direction, mentorship, and end with an award for activism. The Jeff Awards would benefit greatly by taking note.
Heartfelt congratulations to the winners, nominees, hosts, founders and core team of ALTA. Below are the winners in each category:
Outstanding Storyteller – Jasmin Cardenas for “Am I, or Am I Not the Keeper of My Brother?”
Outstanding Solo Performance – Nancy García Loza in “Eckhart Park Echoes” at Collaboraction
Outstanding Improvisor – (tie) – Ana Silva and Diego Sanchez
Outstanding Choreography – William Carlos Angulo for “La Havana Madrid” at Teatro Vista with Goodman Theatre
Outstanding Fight Choreography or Intimacy Design – Gaby Labotka for “A Story Told in Seven Fights” at the Neo-Futurists; “Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea” at First Floor Theater; “Hamlet” at The Gift Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design – Uriel Gómez for “The Madres” at Teatro Vista
Outstanding Lighting Design – Marcela Muñez and Augusto Yanacopolous for “Animales Nocturnos” at Aguijón Theater
Outstanding Sound Design – Sarah D. Espinoza for “The Displaced” at Haven Theatre
Outstanding Prop Design – Augusto Yanacopolous for “La Muerte y la Doncella” at Aguijón Theater
Outstanding Projection/Visual Design – Alberto Mendoza for “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” at Red Theater Chicago
Outstanding Scenic Design – Regina Garcia for “The Rembrandt” at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and “Fade” at Teatro Vista with Victory Gardens Theater
Outstanding Artistic Specialization – Stephanie Diaz for Puppet Design in “Anna Karenina” at Lifeline Theater
Outstanding Director of a Play – Ana Valazquez with Ricardo Gamboa for “Meet Juan(ito) Doe” at Free Street Theater
The María Irene Fornés Legacy New Play Award – Kristiana Rae Colón for “Tilikum” at Sideshow Theatre Company with Victory Gardens Theater
Outstanding Musical Production – “The View Upstairs” at Circle Theatre Chicago
Outstanding Musical Direction – Michelle J. Rodríguez for Vocal Direction and Roberto Carpacho for Band Direction for “La Havana Madrid” at Teatro Vista with Goodman Theatre
Outstanding Original Music in a Play – Coco Elysses, Melissa Duprey and Joyce Liza Rada Lindsey for “Tilikum” at Sideshow Theatre with Victory Gardens Theater
Outstanding Director of a Musical – Jon Martinez for “The Church of Modern Love” at With a Machete Productions with Haven Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble – “La Havana Madrid” at Teatro Vista with Goodman Theatre
Outstanding Sketch Ensemble – (tie) – Generation Latinx and Dominizuelan
Outstanding Improv Ensemble – Generation Latinx at iO
Outstanding Production of a Play – “La Havana Madrid” at Teatro Vista with Goodman Theatre
The Luis Alfaro Legacy Leadership Award – Nancy García Loza at ALTA
Outstanding Casting Direction – Stephanie Diaz at The Chicago Inclusion Project and 16th Street Theater
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play – Hannah Gomez in “Plantation!” at Lookingglass Theatre Company
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical – Selene Pérez in “The View Upstairs” at Circle Theatre Chicago
The Migdalia Cruz Legacy Mentorship Award – Isaac Gómez at DePaul University
Outstanding Performer in a Sketch or Review – Marvin Quijada in “Sound & Fury”
Outstanding Actor in a Principal Role in a Musical – Isa Arciniegas in “We’re Gonna Die” at Haven Theatre
Outstanding Actor in a Principal Role in a Play – Karen Rodríguez in “The Displaced” at Haven Theatre
Outstanding Stage Management – Cassie Calderone for “Pass Over,” “BLKS,” and “Straight White Men” at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and “Lettie” at Victory Gardens Theater
The Luis Valdez Legacy Arts Activism Award – Albany Park Theater Project
