Teatro Bravo Welcomes New Artistic Director Ricky Araiza

The Board of Teatro Bravo, one of Phoenix's bilingual theater companies which performs plays about the U.S. Latino experience, has appointed Ricky Araiza as the new artistic director starting in January 2013.

Founding member and former Artistic Director Guillermo Reyes has joined the Board of Directors and says, "Ricky Araiza will lead Teatro Bravo in a new generation of leadership but the mission of Teatro Bravo will continue, producing a combination of classic plays and developing contemporary new plays that deal with the U.S. Latino life."

From 2010-2012, the company was led by interim director Fernando Teson. Last year, under Mr. Teson's leadership, the company won the AriZoni for best performance by an actress, Erica Mathlin for her role in Frida by Ruben Amavizca, as directed by Israel Jimenez. The company was also declared Best Ethnic Theater company by New Times, and the spring 2012 production of Lorca in a Green Dress by Nilo Cruz as the number two production of the season. "The board of directors thanks Fernando for his interim leadership during the past two years," says Reyes, "and we will continue to work with him as an artist, actor and director."

Ricky is an Arizona based theatre artist and movement specialist. A graduate from Arizona State University with a B.A. in Theatre in 2004, Ricky went on to become an ensemble member of Childsplay Inc., in Tempe, AZ from 2004 to today. In 2009 he decided to challenge himself, and enrolled in a year long study of Physical Ensemble Based Theatre at Dell'Arte International in Blue Lake, CA. In 2010, Ricky returned to Phoenix and continues to work as an actor, director and teaching artist throughout the Valley.

The company will concentrate its efforts on fundraising, but in fall 2013 expects to begin a new season of performances. In the spring 2013, Teatro Bravo will conduct a fundraising event to be announced at a later date.