Luis Alfaro

Playwrite

**Luis Alfaro** is a critically acclaimed playwright and an associate professor with tenure in the MFA Dramatic Writing Program at the University of Southern California (USC). He has been working in theatre, performance, poetry and journalism since the early 1980s. A Chicano born and raised in the Pico-Union district of downtown Los Angeles, he is a multi-disciplined artist: director, curator, producer, educator and community organizer. Alfaro is the recipient of a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation fellowship (popularly known as a “genius grant”) awarded to people who have demonstrated expertise and exceptional creativity in their respective fields. His extensive body of plays — some of which are collected in The Greek Plays of Luis Alfaro with Methuen Drama/Bloomsbury Press — and his solo work have been seen in productions throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Europe. He currently holds commissions with Denver Center, Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Repertory and Victory Gardens Theatre, and is a member of the artist collective at Center Theatre Group. Supported by the Andrew S. Mellon Foundation, Alfaro was the first playwright-in-residence in the 90-year history of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where he curated a yearly writer’s retreat (Brown Swan Lab), yearly conference (Latino Play Project) and was a member of the artistic staff. Other residencies include the Playwright’s Ensemble at Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theatre (2013-2020); the Ojai Playwrights Conference (since 2002); and ten years with the Mark Taper Forum as director of new play development, producing/developing over 150 new plays and the laboratory work of the company. Additional citations and awards include the 2018 PEN/America/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theatre Award for a Master American Dramatist; the United States Artists Fellowship supported by the Doris Duke Foundation; the Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellowship and the Annenberg Artist-in-Residence for the city of Santa Monica; and a Joyce Foundation Fellowship.