BREATH OF FIRE LATINA THEATER ENSEMBLE

‘Gathering the Fire’ Ensemble. Photo by Nicole Robles.

Hello Friends! We are Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble (BOFLTE), based in Santa Ana with a mission centered on amplifying the voices and experiences of Latinas/es/xs through powerful and authentic theatrical works and opportunities. Our unique focus and programming allows us to support the development, incubate, and explore stories, themes, and perspectives that are often underrepresented in mainstream theater.

Since our conception in 2003 with a non-profit status established in 2007, BOFLTE has produced 20 world premiere productions, 30+ co-produced productions, sponsored 10 New Works festivals, over 100 theater-making workshops, hosted 100+ in-house readings, and published three anthologies, and providing programming and ways for writers from all walks of life to hear their words and receive valuable and constructive feedback.

Photo by Nicole Robles - ‘Gathering the Fire’ - Diana Burbano and Tony Viramontes

In 2015, we reemerged, directing our mission, vision, and resources in providing new work development programming accessible to our community. And, through our artist residency at California State University of Fullerton’s Grand Central Arts Center in downtown Santa Ana, we have a space where we are able to facilitate these high quality theater making workshops (and online) with our seasoned teaching artists. No one is ever turned away for lack of experience. All still, while making an indelible mark on the Orange County arts scene, the greater Los Angeles area, and beyond.

On March 4th, 2023 we came together as an ensemble with “Gathering The Fire'' at our base in Grand Central Arts Center. This was the first public, in person ensemble event, since our “Staged Stories” production back on March 7th, 2020. Seven days before the shutdown.

At “Gathering the Fire,” we celebrated ourselves. Writers and actors shared and read their incredible works to a full house. Works that were generated from our online programming during the pandemic. The night was filled and ignited by words, lines, lyrics, songs, silence, laughs, tears, and cheers.

“It is time to take back our breath and gather the fire that can only be made by a real life community in a post-pandemic world. Breath of Fire began as a space to elevate voices of Latinas/xs/es in and to connect through creative relationships. Let's be reminded of who we are, why we write, and why organizations like Breath of Fire exist.”

Photo by Nicole Robles, ‘Gathering the Fire’ - Shanelle Darlene, Elizabeth Isela Szekeresh, and Angela Apodaca

And more recently, BOFLTE was awarded a grant from the National Latinx Theater Initiative (NLTI), a Los Angeles-based Latino Theater Company program! This multi-year grant provides general operating support, ensuring we can continue contributing and significantly impacting our community.

AND also BOFLTE wins Best Play for its ‘The COVID Monologues' by the International Latino Book Awards (ILBA). The ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on October 21. Created by Empowering Latino Futures, the ILBA has grown over the past 25 years to become the largest Latino literary and cultural awards in the United States. The Covid Monologues was curated and edited by Diana Burbano, literary director of BOFLTE and available for purchase @libromobile or @dramabookshop or amazon

To learn MORE, because there’s so much, visit us at: breathoffire.org or follow @boflte

BREATH OF FIRE LATINA THEATER ENSEMBLE

TeAda Productions

ARTISTS AT PLAY!