PRODUCING
ARTISTIC/STAGE/WORKSHOP/
DIRECTOR
Alicia Kaplan
As the driving force behind Danisarte for the past 30 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 260 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 & Reconocimiento
Alicia Kaplan 2024 Director Resume
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 in Sara Ruhl's "The Clean House", and in 2012, the same play, in Vermont. Alicia participated in the play "No Problemo Amigo", by Jaime Espinal, opening the International Festival of Manizales, and then touring Colombia, with appearances in Medellin and Bogota, Colombia. In New York, 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 el 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. In 2014, Alicia received the Distinción de Honor/Honorof Distinction from "Casita Mata Con Hacha" (Galería y Museo de arte Caborrojeño) Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. In 2015, Alicia received the Reconocimiento "Gabriela Mistral, Frida Kahlo, Julia De Burgos" from the Galo Plaza International Committee for her work as an Actress, Director, and Cultural Activist.
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.