Gente de Teatro 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 initially written language.

In 2008, Gente de Teatro began including Spanish playwrights in its repertoire. In September 2011, it first incorporated English su​rtitles during its performances. It was also 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. 

Gente de Teatro has presented 38 plays since 1995. GdT is the only non-profit theater company in Houston that has performed in Spanish continuously since 1995, mainly at Rice University’s Hamman Hall and MATCH. In 2017, 2018 & 2019, GdT was nominated for “Most Improved Theater Company” (Broadway World Houston Region Awards). GdT has also been a proud member of the Sin Muros Latinx Theater Festival Task Committee, celebrating the range of Latinx voices and stories reflecting the diversity of local Texas Communities (2017-2021).  In 2018, GdT received the inaugural Premio Puente (The Bridge Award) (Sin Muros Latinx Theater Festival, at Stages) in recognition of its body of work and its involvement in Houston’s diverse arts community. In 2019, Madenusa, by GdT member & playwright Claudia Soroka, was nominated for Best New Play (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 with a Spanish version by Julián Quintanilla, was nominated for Best Play and Best Ensemble Performance (Broadway World 2022 Houston Region Awards). In 2022, GdT received a special acknowledgment from The Consulate General of Spain in Houston to recognize GdT’s work and support of the “Octubre Ibérico” program.

Gente de Teatro relies on the generous support of Blue Wave Supplier Development Program, the Consulate General of Argentina in Houston, the Consulate General of Spain in Houston, Casa Argentina de Houston, the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston, La Casa de España en Houston, Ferguson Enterprises, Doray Castillo Productions, 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