Our History

The Latinx Playwrights Circle (LPC) started as a "pop up" playwright circle in October 2017. Since 2018, the group has been spearheaded and organized by playwrights Guadalís Del Carmen and Oscar A. L. Cabrera with Janio Marrero serving as Executive Director. Programming began with a monthly meeting of playwrights committed to community development. In 2020, LPC became a non-profit organization launching our first season of digital programming and community events. Recent programs like the Greater Good Commission & Festival and The Intensive Mentorship Program have proven to be important milestones including reaching audiences across the nation. Our mission is to build a network of Latinx Playwrights nationwide in order to promote, develop and elevate their work while making their plays accessible to theater makers looking to find the next generation of American storytellers. With New York as their headquarters, they are a national network of committed playwrights of Latinx heritage of all racial and class backgrounds. We are currently in residence at Kabayitos Theater in the Clemente Soto-Velez Cultural and Education Center. Our organization operates with a volunteer staff of seven playwrights running all aspects of programming, community events, grant writing, and general operations.

our Mission

We aim to build a network of Latinx/é Playwrights nationwide in order to promote, develop and elevate their work in order to make their plays accessible to theater-makers looking to find the next generation of American Storytellers.

Our Values

We believe in Pluralism and Multiple Perspectives. We embrace the ever evolving landscape of Latinidad and the names used to describe this community, including Latiné, Latinx, Hispanic, and the next generation of names to come. In addition, we believe the full spectrum of Latinidad (Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, Asian, Disabled, etc.) must be served, represented, and celebrated. We embrace the complexities around who is considered “American” and the various ways many may relate or identify as “American.” When defining “American storytellers,” we value a definition that knows no borders. 

We believe in the living spirit of “Pa’lante y Pa’rriba.” In order to go onwards and upwards, we must be sensitive and responsive to the world around our community. We innovate development opportunities and programs to increase equal access as a response to the gatekeeping practices of the theater industry at large. 

We believe in Community. Creating nurturing and transparent communities is an essential component of our play development process. Communal space for human connection enables the environment for mental wellness, equity, transparency, and nourishment that helps artists flourish in life and art. Introducing our community to the larger American Theater community fosters advancement in equity, inclusion, and diversity of storytelling. 

The work

According to the 2020 Census, 29.1% of New York City’s population identified as Latinx. However, according to the Asian American Performers Action Coalition’s 2018-2019 report, only 0.5% of writers produced in New York City (Broadway and non-profit theaters combined) identified as Latinx. LPC is committed to increasing the inclusion of Latinx playwrights in the American theater landscape. Due to theater closures throughout the pandemic, LPC had to reimagine visibility for its members and their plays. Spearheaded by playwright and Literary Director, Nelson Diaz-Marcano, Club Casa opened up digital doors to create a safe space for Latine artists at a time when most were needing to be shuttered. n support of the Black Mutual Aid fund, LPC also produced a virtual dance party fundraiser to provide further COVID-19 relief to the community. LPC’s relief and recovery efforts also focused on the mental health of our members. LPC’s pivot to virtual programming provided a strong showcase of work by underrepresented Latinx playwrights to industry professionals nationwide as exemplified in our Sunday Service, a free virtual bi-monthly space to bring in pages you are currently working on as well as connect with your peers. Free, virtually accessible community engagement and audience-building programs were also crucial ways for our members to foster creativity and combat isolation during the pandemic.

GOALS

With New York as our epicenter, we are committed to nurturing and developing work by playwrights within the Latinx affinity. Partnering with other theater companies we offer annual residencies, along with fostering key partnerships in the field.

LPC Community Guidelines

These guidelines were inspired by the Ethical Guidelines of Experimental Bitch Presents, as authored by Tatiana Baccari, Wednesday Derrico, Aliyah Hakim, Hannah Goldman, Sophia V. Heinecke, Gabriel Rodriguez, and Madeline Wall in 2019.

As an organization, we are Pro-Black, Pro-Indigenous, Pro-LGBTQIA+, Pro-Science, Pro-Choice, Pro-People, Pro-Decolonization, Sex Positive, Body Positive. We welcome and embrace people to come as they are. We also acknowledge our imperfections, and that we are in a process of constantly learning. We cultivate a culture of forgiveness, accountability, and perpetual learning. We believe in restorative practices. We collectively seek out and participate in workshops & training programs to expand our understanding of how inequity works and allow for better and more equitable art practices in our company. 

“Be Good” Adaptation for our collaborators, members, volunteers, and the greater community server.

We welcome you to help foster a space where we energize the community by nourishing the art as well as each other’s mental health.

We aim to respect and cultivate each other's artistic visions by uplifting with positive feedback and wise criticism throughout development.

We acknowledged that Latinx/é is an umbrella term that encompasses many cultures. As such, we welcome and practice an open mind to learn from and be respectful of each other.

When conflict, disagreement, or a mistake occurred, we request that it is approached with understanding for growth, healing and resolution. 

We welcome you to build, sustain, and maintain a community no matter your level of expertise or the discipline you practice in the arts. We are open.