In This Program

• From the Artistic Director
• About the Show
• For Our Patrons
• Cast
• Creative Team
• ¡Bienvenidos a Miami! / Welcome to Miami!
• Welcome to Seattle Rep’s 2025/26 Season
• Introducing Seattle Rep Studios
• An Interview with Playwright Alexis Scheer 
• Print Edition
• More About Seattle Rep

Dear Friends,

Bienvenidos to Seattle Rep and our production of Alexis Scheer’s Laughs in Spanish. It seemed fitting to welcome you to the theater today with just a hint of “Spanglish,” which you’ll occasionally hear from the bilingual characters in this popular Miami-set comedy about creating art, striving for success, and the choices we make in pursuit of each. It’s also about how we define ourselves and which versions of ourselves we choose to reveal or obscure—to whom and when.

Scheer explores these themes and others using a classic comic set-up (though this sitcom-whodunnit-telenovela structure will shift into something else as the story unfolds), and her title contains multiple, poignant meanings, which I won’t spoil here.

I also couldn’t help but be drawn to characters who felt so familiar to me. Mari, Caro, Estella, and Juan are first- and second-generation characters of Cuban and Colombian descent who defy the simplistic stereotypes too often depicted in media, politics, and popular culture. Yet, I don’t see their depiction as caricatured or radical. These are people I know. I recognize myself and my friends and family on stage. Scheer conveys these complex characters with a natural and nuanced specificity because she is writing who and what she knows (see our playwright interview and Scheer’s bio).

Choosing this play as Seattle Rep’s artistic director, and taking on the role of director, is a way of sharing a bit more of myself with my new community in Seattle. I was born in Miami and have maintained a close relationship to the city throughout my life. It’s one of the places I think of as home and where I have returned throughout my life to my big, boisterous, warm, and welcoming extended Cuban American family. It’s where I learned to speak Spanish and English simultaneously, surrounded by immigrants. These were my childhood heroes, whose stories of rebuilding their lives—of remaking themselves in a new country and in pursuit of new beginnings—shaped my character. I hope you’ll love Scheer’s characters as much I do, and as she clearly does. And I hope that you, too, will see all that you have in common with them—whether or not you’re a fellow Spanglish speaker.

Like always, I hope you’ll enjoy today’s play, find much to discuss with your fellow theatergoers, and make plans to return to Seattle Rep in the future. Soon, Montreal’s extraordinary cirque company The 7 Fingers will be back on the Bagley stage with their latest internationally acclaimed theatrical circus piece called Duel Reality. Make note of the spelling of “Duel.” It’s a hint as to the exhilarating acrobatic face-offs you can expect, each inspired by the two feuding families of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Bring the whole family!

It’s hard to believe we are already approaching summer in Seattle and the final production of our 2024/25 Season. Behind the scenes, however, our Seattle Rep staff, workshops, and creative teams have been hard at work for many weeks on the recently announced 2025/26 Season. I hope you’ll subscribe to the full lineup, which offers a dynamic mix of some of the most popular and acclaimed plays of the past decade. 

From new Seattle Rep productions of Broadway and West End hits (The Play That Goes Wrong, Appropriate, Mary Jane), to new plays by leading writers (Fancy Dancer, The Heart Sellers), to the national tour of the renowned docudrama Here There Are Blueberries from Tectonic Theater Project, and our brand-new 10th anniversary reimagined production of the beloved Seattle-made musical Come From Away—the 2025/26 Season is designed to bring us together, to celebrate our resilience, to laugh, to cry, get chills, share stillness, and spark conversation.

We invite you to join us. I hope you’ll say yes!

With gratitude,

Dámaso Rodríguez
Artistic Director

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Dámaso Rodríguez   |   MANAGING DIRECTOR Jeffrey Herrmann

By
Alexis Scheer

Directed by
Dámaso Rodríguez

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Originally produced at the Denver Center Theatre Company
Chris Coleman, Artistic Director

Laughs in Spanish is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. concordtheatricals.com

Student Matinee and additional artistic support is generously provided by David Robinson

Producing Partners

Terri Olson Miller & Tom Miller

Title Sponsors

Bruce G. Cochener Foundation

Production Sponsor

Season Sponsor

April 17 – May 11, 2025 | Bagley Wright Theater

Thank You to our Production Sponsor

The arts are a significant part of making Seattle an amazing place to live and work. U.S. Bank believes in the power of play, which includes the arts, because it brings joy, encourages creativity, teaches problem-solving skills, and builds emotional learning. That is why U.S. Bank is a longtime supporter of the magnificent programs and spectacular performances at Seattle Rep.

We are proud to sponsor this run of Laughs in Spanish. We hope you enjoy this hilarious romp that is sure to keep you on your toes.

We welcome you to take pictures of the set before and after the show.

Share Your Photos 

#LaughsInSpanishSREP
@seattlerep

Photography, recording, and use of cell phones are strictly prohibited during the performance. 

Mission 

Seattle Rep collaborates with extraordinary artists to create productions and programs that reflect and elevate the diverse cultures, perspectives, and life experiences of our region. 

Vision 

Theater at the heart of public life.  

Values 

Artistic Vitality
Sustainability
Generous and Inclusive Practices 

Code of Conduct 

Seattle Rep is committed to being a racially, culturally, and socially just organization. We promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the work we do, and uphold a safe environment wherein all people are welcome to our space and are treated with respect and dignity.

It is our expectation that all patrons and those affiliated with Seattle Rep will align with this code of conduct and we reserve the right to relocate or remove any person from our theater who disregards this expectation.

Land Acknowledgment 

Seattle Rep acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Coast Salish people. We honor with gratitude the land itself and its innumerable stewards, past and present. We recognize Washington’s tribal nations, all of the Tribal signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliott, and the urban Native communities who continue to live and thrive in this space. This acknowledgment does not take the place of authentic relationships with Indigenous communities, but serves as a first step in honoring the land we are on and the people and cultures it has nurtured.

Learn more about how Seattle Rep is working to support and build relationships with Native communities.

Emergencies 

In an evacuation, wait for an announcement for further instructions. Ushers will be available for assistance. Familiarize yourself with the exit route nearest your seat.   

Accessibility 

Seattle Rep is committed to accessibility for all and will work with patrons to accommodate requests. We offer a variety of options to help make our performances accessible.

ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES: We offer select English and Spanish Open Captioned, Audio Described, ASL-Interpreted, Sensory-Friendly, and mask-required  performances. Find dates here or contact the Box Office for more information.

HEARING LOOP: Seattle Rep is equipped with hearing loops that transmit sound directly to t-coil enabled hearing devices. There are also receivers and headphones available to borrow at Coat Check. Look for the Hearing Loop signs which indicate coverage at performances, ticket windows, concierge, and concessions.  

WHEELCHAIR SPACES, WIDER SEATS (BAGLEY), TRANSFER SEATS, AND ADDITIONAL SEATING OPTIONS: Please see an Usher or House Manager to see what accessible seating options are available for your performance.  

SENSORY GUIDES & KITS: Scene-by-scene guides of the sensory impact of this show and kits containing headphones, fidgets, sunglasses, and communication cards are available at Coat Check.  

LARGE PRINT & BRAILLE PROGRAMS: Available at Coat Check. 

ALL GENDER RESTROOMS are located on the second floor of the Leo K. Theater and a single-stall restroom is located near the Bagley Wright Theater restrooms on the first floor.  

WELLNESS ROOM is located near the Bagley Wright Theater restrooms on the first floor.  

Contact Us 

BOX OFFICE 
Call 206.443.2222
Text 206.565.2996 

ADMINISTRATIVE
206.443.2210 

ADDRESS 
155 Mercer St.
Seattle, WA 98109 

Cheyenne Barton

Jenny

Cheyenne Barton (she/they) is stoked to be making their Seattle Rep debut! She’s previously worked at Seattle Rep understudying for Little Women and Teenage Dick. Other favorite credits include The Wolves (ACT), Sense and Sensibility (Village Theatre), and Everything You Touch (Washington Ensemble Theatre). When not acting, she works full-time as a freelance illustrator and content creator! She would like to thank her family for their unyielding support in all her artistic endeavors, with an extra special thanks to Ares, Pepper, Sophie, and Ace. Ganbatte! cheyennebarton.com, @chey.barton

Diana Burbano

Estella

Diana Burbano, recognized by the Los Angeles Times as part of “La Vanguardia,” is a Colombian-born playwright, actor, and resident artist with Center Theatre Group, The Latino Theatre Company, and Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble. Known for works like Ghosts of Bogotá and Fabulous Monsters, her storytelling highlights Latinx voices. Diana’s plays have been staged across the U.S., and she has received accolades including the Advance Gender Equity in the Arts Grant and the Jane Chambers Award. dianaburbano.com, @ladianaburbano

Diana Garle

Carolina

Diana Garle is ecstatic to be making her Seattle Rep debut! Her work on screen and on stage has been seen internationally in 45+ countries. Recent films include 9 Windows, Omni Loop, and The Serenade Charade (Best Supporting Actress Award, Lady Filmmakers Festival). Theater credits include The Cancellation of Lauren Fein (Palm Beach Dramaworks), 21 Chump Street (City Theatre), The Glass Piano (Theatre Lab), and Native Gardens (GableStage), which earned her the Carbonell Award for Best Lead Actor in a Female Role. Diana was named one of American Theatre Magazine’s “People to Watch.” @dianagarle

Beth Pollack

Mariana

Beth Pollack (she/her) is a Seattle-based actor, dramaturg, and teaching artist. You may have seen her work with Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Village Theatre, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, or Dacha Theatre. She is the Dramaturg & Curriculum Specialist at The 5th Avenue Theatre and Associate Producer of Literary Management at Dacha Theatre. Beth holds a B.A. in Theatre Studies and the Historicization of Dramatic Literature from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study and would be happy to explain what that means. beth-pollack.com

Gabriell Salgado

Juan, Dance Captain

Gabriell Salgado is thrilled to make his Seattle Rep debut! He recently reprised the role of Juan Julian in Anna in the Tropics at Asolo Repertory Theatre after performing in the play’s 20th-anniversary production, directed by Nilo Cruz. Last summer, he made his Off-Broadway debut in The Actors at Theatre Row and landed his first TV role on CBS’ “Blue Bloods.” Since making his professional debut a little over three years ago, he’s starred in over a dozen productions including The Pillowman, 4000 Miles, Clyde’s, Red Speedo, Frankenstein, and more. gabriellsalgado.com, @gabriellsalg

Alexis Scheer

Playwright

Plays: Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (New York Times Critics Pick, John Gassner Award, Latinx Theatre Commons Carnaval of New Latinx Work, Kilroy’s List), Laughs in Spanish (Kennedy Center’s Harold & Mimi Steinberg Award), ’Til Death, Christina (Roe Green Award). Musicals: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bad Cinderella (book adaptation), Jerry Herman’s Mrs. Santa Claus (book). Her work has been produced on Broadway, Off-Broadway at Second Stage and WP Theater, and regionally at Center Theatre Group, Denver Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Hartford Stage, and more. Television: “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” (Max). @scheer_madness

Dámaso Rodríguez

Director

Directing credits: The Skin of Our Teeth (Seattle Rep); The Heiress, The Little Foxes, Orson’s Shadow (Pasadena Playhouse); Paradise Lost (Intiman); Romeo and Juliet (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Kings (South Coast Repertory); We the Invisibles (Actors Theatre of Louisville); Wolf Play, Magellanica, La Ruta, An Octoroon, Everybody, Tribes, Exiles, The Humans, The Miracle Worker, ...Prudencia Hart, Cuba Libre, 1984 (Artists Repertory Theatre); El Huracán (GableStage); Desire Under the Elms, Blithe Spirit, The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, The Doctor’s Dilemma (A Noise Within). damasorodriguez.com

Sara C Walsh

Scenic Designer

Regional: Sanctuary City (Seattle Rep), The Magician’s Daughter (Geva Theatre), JORDAN (Northern Stage), Song of a Convalescent Ayn Rand... (American Repertory Theater). Off-Broadway: Gentleman Caller (Abingdon Theatre Company), The Tempest (Classic Stage Company), A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of Great Lakes (WP Theatre, New Georges), Hasan Minhaj’s Homecoming King. Sara also creates immersive performances with her company Wolf 359, including Memory Room 302 and temping (seen at Lincoln Center, The Wild Project, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival). saracwalsh.com

Danielle Nieves

Costume Designer

Danielle Nieves is honored to be back at Seattle Rep. Her work has been seen previously at Seattle Rep (Lydia and the Troll, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, The Winter’s Tale), The 5th Avenue Theatre, The Old Globe, Dallas Theater Center, South Coast Repertory, Goodman Theatre, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, ACT Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Village Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Cleveland Playhouse. Off-Broadway: Pity in History, No End of Blame, Gertrude – The Cry, and Lovesong of the Electric Bear for PTP/NYC at The Atlantic Stage 2. USA 829 member. daniellenieves.com

Robert J. Aguilar

Lighting Designer

Designs for Seattle Rep: Fat Ham, Lydia and the Troll, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Indecent, In the Heights, MAC BETH, I Am My Own Wife, Lizard Boy, and others. Regional credits include Portland Center Stage, ACT, The 5th Avenue Theatre, The Old Globe, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Intiman Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Milwaukee Rep, and Village Theatre. Film: The Jinkx and Dela Holiday Special, Potato Dreams of America. Robert is the Lighting Director at Seattle Rep and a member of USA 829. robertjaguilar.com

Rodolfo Ortega

Sound Designer & Composer

Rodolfo Ortega received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of Arizona and his Master’s of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music where he studied piano and composition. He has composed and designed sound for Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Romeo and Juliet, The Tenth Muse), Denver Center for the Performing Arts (The Three Musketeers, Romeo and Juliet), Santa Cruz Shakespeare (Hamlet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar), Artists Repertory Theatre (Caught, The Liar, Feathers and Teeth), Cleveland Playhouse (Native Gardens), and South Coast Repertory (The Monster Builder).

Zeina Salame

Associate Director

Zeina Salame is a director, dramaturg, and performer. Assistant Directing: Guthrie Theater (Cabaret), New York Theatre Workshop (A Knock on the Roof). Dramaturgy: South Coast Repertory (The Red Man), Playwrights Horizons (In the Amazon Warehouse Parking Lot), Eugene O’Neill Theater Center (5, House of India, Chinese Republicans, Hurt People, Gavin Creel's Walk On Through, Fountain, Lighthouse). Performance: Artists Repertory Theatre: Today is My Birthday (Halima), Refugee Rhapsody (Sakinah), Fight Call (Stage Manager). Assistant Professor of Theatre, University of Vermont (Ph.D., M.S., M.A.).

Vanessa Villalobos

Choreography

Vanessa is a distinguished performance artist and choreographer from Lima, Peru. With a repertoire of over 90 works, her expertise spans salsa, American ballroom, cabaret theater, ballet, modern, jazz, Peruvian folk, and Afro-Latino dance. Film: MadHot Ballroom and Walt Disney’s Enchanted (principal role). Notable works: “Milagros" and "Visceral Translations" for ArtXContemporary and live music piece “Reflections of Oya" for the Seattle Latin Dance Festival. B.A. Dance and B.A. Theatre from University of Washington, M.F.A. from Seattle University. Founder of BALORICO Dance, www.balorico.dance

Kate Drummond

Intimacy Consultant

Kate is a Seattle-based director, intimacy choreographer, and teaching artist. She is the co-Artistic Director and founder of Dacha Theatre and a founding member of the PNW Theatrical Intimacy Collective. She's worked locally with The 5th Avenue Theatre's Rising Star Project, ArtsWest, and the University of Washington School of Drama, among others. Recent intimacy credits: The Skin of Our Teeth (Seattle Rep); Late: A Cowboy Song (UW); Emma and the Dice Series (Dacha). Associate Member, SDC. M.F.A. in Directing, University of Washington. kate-drummond.com

Shaina Pierce

Stage Manager

Shaina Pierce is thrilled to be back at Seattle Rep! She was last at Seattle Rep as the assistant stage manager for Blues for an Alabama Sky and Fat Ham. Other select stage management credits include The Wiz (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Loving and Loving and Dracula (Actors Theatre of Louisville); Hot Wing King, Trading Places: the Musical, and A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre); Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid (Alabama Shakespeare Festival). Shaina received her M.F.A from The University of Alabama (Roll Tide). She thanks her friends and family for their support.

Jeffrey K. Hanson

Assistant Stage Manager

Jeffrey K. Hanson (he/him) has been a proud member of the Seattle theater community and Actors’ Equity for over 35 years. He has worked extensively as a production stage manager at ACT and The 5th Avenue Theatre. He is thrilled to return to Seattle Rep where he previously stage-managed Metamorphoses (2023), Selling Kabul, Metamorphoses (2000), True West (1997), The Cider House Rules – Parts I & II, Private Eyes, and All in the Timing. Additional regional credits include Seattle Children’s Theatre, Intiman, and two seasons each at Arizona Theatre Company and New Mexico Repertory Theatre.

Special Thanks

ACT Theatre
Joel Herrera

As you immerse yourself in the world of Alexis Scheer’s Laughs in Spanish, here are some places, people, and things you will hear mentioned in the play:

Art Basel: an international art fair held annually in Basel, Switzerland, as well as Miami, Hong Kong, and Paris. 

Banksy: a British street artist and political activist whose real name and identity are unknown. 

Guerrilla Girls: an anonymous group of feminist female artists devoted to fighting sexism and racism within the art world. 

Las Meninas: Spanish for “The Ladies-in-Waiting,” a 1656 painting by Diego Velázquez that depicts the Infanta (Princess) Margarita and members of her court. 

“Miami Vice”: a 1980s TV show about two police detectives investigating drugs, murder, and other crimes in Miami. 

“Spring Breakers”: a 2012 film about four college women who rob a diner to fund a wild spring break trip to Florida. 

Wynwood: A neighborhood in Miami known for its colorful murals, outdoor art installations, and hip galleries.  

Many of the Spanish words or phrases you hear today will be recognizable through their context or surrounding dialogue, but here are a few to keep in mind:

Ay dios mio: oh my God 

brujería / Tu eres una bruja: witchcraft / You are a witch 

Cállate: shut up 

Cálmate: calm yourself 

Carajo:  In the context of the play, this word is used as an interjection to express anger or irritation. It can also be used to mean "to hell with" or "to go to hell."  

Coquito: a coconut-based alcoholic beverage similar to eggnog. It originated in Puerto Rico and is traditionally consumed around Christmas. 

Mija: my daughter 

Oye: listen 

Paisa: someone or something from the northwest region of Colombia 

Pastelitos: little cakes 

Pendejo: idiot or coward 

Picadillo: a traditional dish in many Latin American countries made with ground meat and tomatoes, as well as raisins, olives, and other ingredients that vary from country to country. 

Quién haría algo como esto?!: The opening line of the play, meaning “Who would do something like this?” 

Quince: short for quinceañera, a celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday that traditionally marks her transition from girlhood
to adulthood. 

Sí, señora: yes, ma’am 

Telenovela: a Spanish-language soap opera 

Vamos: let’s go 

An Interview with Playwright Alexis Scheer

Beyond the Stage

Seattle Rep: Both you and director Dámaso Rodríguez have roots in Miami. What makes that city a prime place to set this story? Where did your initial inspiration for this play begin? 

Alexis Scheer: I was really inspired by the art-ification of the Wynwood neighborhood in Miami. Formerly the garment district, where my family had deep roots, Wynwood turned into a hotspot for art, food, and nightlife seemingly overnight. This play was a way for me to imagine who would populate the space that was once my parents’ button company or grandparents’ dress shop, and it’s a love letter to the city and community of artists who raised me. 

And while the mother character in the play is nothing like my own mother, I do have to shout her out as a source of inspiration. My mom is a Colombian immigrant who I watched code switch between her personal and professional life every day, and is the kind of woman who models for me what it looks like to be successful both with work and family. 

SR: You have described Laughs in Spanish as “a play about Latinas with agency.” Could you expand on what that means to you? 

AS: This is a story centered on an ambitious mother and daughter who both start the play from places of professional success. I was really interested in writing something, particularly about Latinas, where the narrative wasn’t about the struggle to become successful but rather what it costs to be successful. 

SR: Laughs in Spanish is being staged all across the country this year. Why do you think it is particularly connecting with audiences right now? 

AS: I think audiences need joy. But not simply for escapism. I personally believe joy is the most sustainable resource we have when it comes to resistance. And in these terribly divisive times, especially with so much hateful rhetoric being spewed towards immigrants, I’m very proud to be all over the country telling a story that puts the heart and humor of the Latiné community in the spotlight. 

SR: What do you hope people take away from this show?  

AS: Hopefully a curiosity to engage with more Latiné culture—go dancing, go eat (we have GREAT food)! And, as always, I hope you leave with a desire to keep seeing and supporting new plays! Also, if you like what you see and want to keep up with the work I’m doing, you can follow me on Instagram @scheer_madness.

Our upcoming season will explore and celebrate the different ways we remain resilient in the face of life’s challenges and draw strength from each other to keep going. With six of seven productions #BuiltBySeattleRep in our backstage workshops, we’ll continue to showcase Seattle’s immense pool of artistic talent, featuring local actors, directors, designers, and artisans producing extraordinary art as only Seattle Rep can.

Spring Studio Series 

Scene Study & Partner Work
with Deanna Martinez 

Saturdays, May 10, 17, & 24 and
June 7, 2025 from 1–3 p.m.

For the next generation of bold storytellers, Young Rep offers an exciting opportunity for young actors (ages 13–20) to develop the essential skills needed to perform at a professional level.  

Led by Seattle Rep’s Education & Community Programs Director, Deanna Martinez, this dynamic four-week series will guide students through foundational acting techniques, scene study, and partner work—building confidence, precision, and artistry along the way. 

Actor’s Studio
with Dámaso Rodríguez 

Mondays, May 12 & 19 and
June 2 & 9, 2025 from 6–9 p.m.

Step into the rehearsal room like never before. Seattle Rep is proud to introduce Rep Pro, a new, one-of-a-kind adult theater class experience (ages 18+).  

Over four weeks, pre-professional and professional actors will have the rare opportunity to bring in material they are actively working on and receive in-depth feedback from Seattle Rep’s Artistic Director, Dámaso Rodríguez. This intimate, process-driven series is designed for serious actors looking to sharpen their craft, push artistic boundaries, and engage in the kind of rigorous exploration that defines professional rehearsal spaces. 

Space is limited. Register online by May 4, 2025! 

Visit our website for more information about these programs as well as our new Rep Educators program for teachers and Rep Connect program for businesses. 

Print Edition

More About Seattle Rep

• Up Next: Duel Reality! Adapted from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, The 7 Fingers bring their signature combination of incredible physical feats, theatricality, and music together to tell this story of love and honor.
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• Cheer on Seattle Rep’s 2025 Next Narrative Monologue Competition National Finalists and watch the livestream of the National Finals (May 3–4) from the Apollo Theater in New York City! Learn more »
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