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Water People Theater is a Latina and immigrant-led nonprofit organization that believes in the transformative power of theater. We have produced socially engaged bilingual and inclusive programming for over two decades.
Our mission is to leverage the power of high-quality performances and educational offerings to advance social values and defend human rights. We aim to inspire diverse audiences to become changemakers contributing to more equitable, just, and inclusive communities.
Our name, “WATER PEOPLE” is born from our Venezuelan roots and is inspired by the term that names one of our indigenous ethnicities: Yekuana, people on the wood that opens paths in the water.
The very essence of our organization is rooted in our Venezuelan heritage, where we draw inspiration, passion, and a deep reverence for the stage. We are driven by an unwavering commitment to upholding Human Rights and embracing the principles of social and environmental responsibility.
RESPECT JUSTICE INCLUSION EQUITY EXCELLENCY
Since our birth, we have worked intensely with four goals:
Born in Venezuela. At age five, Rebeca began playing the piano and at age 17 was selected to join the first National Youth Theater Ensemble of Venezuela. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism/Media Communication and Music, Rebeca continued her training in London and NYC for both acting and directing. She has played leading roles in over 38 theatrical productions, soap operas, and films including those as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Frida Kahlo, Camila O’Gorman, and Yerma. Rebeca was an ensemble member at the Repertorio Español-NYC. She has written six plays, four short films, and one children’s book. She has produced 23 plays and directed and produced four short films focused on denouncing violence. “Gone with The Sea”, in memory of all victims of violence, was Official Selection FIACINE-2019-Academia de Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas, Spain. “The Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon” at Steppenwolf Theater was recognized as outstanding by specialized critics and the audience.
Venezuelan playwright, director, producer, and scriptwriter, Iraida Tapias is a Jeff Award Nominee for Best Director. With over 51 years of experience in theater, she has specialized in producing and directing plays by Spanish American authors. Mrs.Tapias has authored seven plays and produced over 32 theatrical performances. She has directed 12 theatrical pieces and 6 musicals, including “The House of Bernarda Alba” by F.G. Lorca, “MUSES” by Néstor Caballero, “Orchids in the moonlight” by Carlos Fuentes, “Orinoco” by Emilio Carballido, “The Delicate Tears of Waning Moon” by Rebeca Alemán, ” Lorca – Living the Experience” with texts and lyrics Federico Garcia Lorca, “It never was you” texts and lyrics by Kurt Weill, “The Man of La Mancha”, the musical written by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion. Awards: Her awards include National Artist Award, Venezuela – Best Director. Premio Municipal de Cine, Venezuela – Scriptwriter and La Habana Film Festival Award – Best Producer.
Constanza Mendoza (she/ella) is a Venezuelan-born, Chicago-based cultural organizer, facilitator, and nonprofit consultant. With over a decade of experience in strategy and community engagement, she founded Terra Cotta in 2023 to support BIPOC arts and cultural organizations. Her work spans legacy institutions like the South Side Community Art Center and Joel Hall Dancers & Center, as well as transformative organizations like Black Girls Code, Enrich Chicago, and Water People Theater. A 2024-2025 fellow at the Intercultural Leadership Institute, Constanza also serves as a grant panelist for the NEA, NALAC, and DCASE. She holds a master’s in Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a Post-Bac in Museum Studies from UASB-Quito, and a bachelor’s in Art History from the Université Paris-Sorbonne.
Marisabel Muñoz
Scenic and Props Designer
Isadora Villamizar
Production Assistant
Carlos Trujillo
IT Coordinator
Ramón Camín
Samuel Ocean
Teresa Hernando
Fernando Then
Michelle Skiba
Giulio Pedota
Madeline Nesbitt
Kenneth Martin
Sandra Bernal
Estefania Mena
JOSÉ R. SÁNCHEZ – CHAIR
Humboldt Park Health President and CEO
THAIS LOPEZ VOGEL -VICE CHAIR
Co-Founder/Trustee at Volo Foundation.
PHILLIP BARREDA –TREASURER
Executive Vice President | Chicago MSDC
MARTA MEDINA – SECRETARY
Journalist – President – M2 Communications.
CASPER SANDERSON –DIRECTOR
VP, Sales – Americas Markit.
REBECA ALEMÁN –DIRECTOR
President & Founder – Water People Theater
PEPE VARGAS
Founder & Executive Director of the International Latino Cultural Center.
VANESSA VALECILLOS
Dancer – Faculty at Northwestern University, Chicago.
OSCAR PERDOMO MARÍN
Writer | Journalist | Poet.
Water People Theater was created in NYC and Caracas on September 21, 2001, the International Day of Peace. In 2011 we relocated to Chicago and continued working between the US and Venezuela. In 2014 it became a nonprofit.
For 23 years, we have opened roads for human rights through the inclusive and transformative power of theater. We believe in its ability to bring people together, inspire action, and foster harmony among diverse communities.
We are committed to subjects and content that build a sense of community and cross socioeconomic boundaries, reaching underserved individuals and communities who may not have been exposed to art.
We view theater as a space of freedom that offers opportunities to create and strengthen equitable connections between diverse cultures, ethnic groups, and languages.
We have found that theater has a profound capacity to move both performers and audiences, generate empathy for what is happening onstage, and unite spectators against injustice, pain, racism, and violence.
During these 23 years we have achieved:
