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Alicia Kaplan (Producing Artistic Director)
As the driving force behind Danisarte
for the past 19 years, Alicia is grateful for the support of the many creative individuals and institutions that have been
inspirational in the achievement of our artistic mission.
After having worked her entire life in all facets of
the performing arts, Alicia felt that there was a need to provide a venue for novice actors, directors, writers and technicians
to develop their potential and compete seriously for the still limited number of roles available in theatre, television, film,
and radio. This can only be accomplished by having the opportunity to work in a professional capacity, and by being mentored
and nurtured by accomplished professionals.
A member of SAG, AFTRA, and AEA, Alicia's career began as a ballet
dancer in Venezuela. As an actress, she has worked in more than 250 productions in English and Spanish in Venezuela, the United
States, and Mexico, and they encompass the stage, television, film, and radio. She has worked with most of the Hispanic companies
in New York. Alicia starred at Teatro Thalia in Moncada's "Cena para dos" for an unprecedented four seasons, receiving
Palmas de Oro and Reconocimiento Valores Humanos Awards. She reprised her role with the Gala Hispanic Theatre in Washington,
D.C.. In 2006 she returned to Gala, performing to critical and popular acclaim in Lope de Vega's "El Rufian Castrucho.
In the summer of 2008 Alicia performed with the Zach Theatre in Austin,Texas. She has also performed at I.A.T.I. in Sartre's
"No Exit, at The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre in Bardallo's "Tiene la Muerte Atada", Lorca's "The Butterfly's
Evil Spell","Tirso de Molina's "Don Gil de las Calzas Verdes" (A.C.E. Award 2006); at the Latin American
Theatre Ensemble in Reguera Saumell's "Sara en en traspatio"(ACE Award), and in Lorca's "Blood Wedding"
and "Yerma" at Repertorio Espanol. She has also worked at The Public Theatre, Theatre 22, The Pearl Theatre, among
others. She has appeared on television on One Life to Live, Saturday Night Live, and as Gladys on "The Tertulia Bar"
series. Alicia can also be seen in films like "Almost A Woman",by Esperanza Santiago, "The Taxman", "The
Summer of My Dreams", and "Joe The King". Alicia served as the Vice-Chair of HOLA's Advocacy Committee and
Actor Equity's Committee of Racial Equality. She was awarded the prestigious Joseph C. Riley Service award "for outstanding
contributions to the welfare of the American Screen Actor through strong participation on the Equal Ethnic Opportunities Committee".
She was also a Founding Member of The East Harlems Council for Cultural Arts and Tourism. In 2008 Alicia received the Diplome
De Medaille D'Argent from the Societe Academique D'Education Et D'Encouragement of France.
Alicia has taught acting
throughout the New York metropolitan area. One of her students was Kathleen Herles, the voice of the popular Dora the Explorer. She founded Danisarte because many of her students did not have the opportunity
to develop their talents, workshop their plays, and perform in front of live audiences. Alicia has directed more than forty
plays in English and Spanish ranging from the classics to musicals and modern comedies. In 2007 she received a nomination
for Best Director of a Comedy by the Association of Latino Critics of New York (A.C.E.). In 2009 Danisarte was honored
by A.C.E. as the recepient of the Award as Artistic Organization of the Year for a historical second time. Danisarte's workshops
give the participants a sense of belonging to the larger artistic community by working side by side with experienced and dedicated
professionals. Since Danisarte's roots are in the Latino theatre in East Harlem, Danisarte is able to attract individuals
of all ages, some with little exposure to the theatre, and turn them into theatregoers and artists. ___________________________________________________________
Founded in 1992, Danisarte became a not-for-profit in 1997,and a 501-C3 in 1998. Danisarte has been funded by in-kind contributions
from the Producing Artistic Director, El Taller Boricua, and many volunteers. Danisarte also has received grants from The
Fund for Creative Communities/NYS Council on the Arts Decentralization Program and the Manhattan Community Arts Fund administered
by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Goya, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, A
Public Service Award from the Department of Cultural Affairs and DYCD.
___________________________________________________________
INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS FOR THE CONTINUATION OF OUR MISSION, THAT ARE DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW CAN BE SENT
TO: DANISARTE, P.O. Box 286146, Yorkville Station, 1617 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10128-002
Telephone: 212-561-0191
Email: Danisarte@aol.com or akdanisarte@gmail.com
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Cervantes Interludes: PRTT Summer Tour 2007
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