The title of the play stems from a Guatemalan custom of putting small “Worry Dolls” under one’s pillow at night to hopefully carry away stress and fears of the day. These worry dolls may be manifested with masks, colorful costumes or puppets. Teatro Milagro will be partnering with Multonomah County Health Department to support the creation of appropriate curriculum for elementary and middle schools.
Maya Malan-Gonzalez (she/ella) is a playwright, actor and teatrista. She is a lifelong member of Milagro in Portland and an ensemble member with Studio Luna in Los Angeles. She has also performed with Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Cara Mia Theatre, San Jose Stage Company, San Diego Rep, El Teatro Campesino, and Teatro Vision among others.
As a playwright, her theatrical productions include “Blast Off” and “Huelga” commissioned and presented by Teatro Milagro; “A Xmas Cuento Remix”, which had a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere with Milagro, 16th Street Theater and The Cleveland Public Theatre; and “A Christmas Treat” commissioned by Cleveland Public Theatre and featured in 10 Minutes to Midnight: 9 Quirky Plays for the Holidays.
Recently her holiday stories were featured in “Not So Merry and Bright: A Christmas Mixtape by Studio Luna”. Her piece, “Sunshine” was presented in “The Inbetweens” for El Centro Del Sur: Latinx Theatre Festival and her story “Down the Side of the Mountain” is in Teatro Luna’s Audible Original audiobook, “Talking While Female and Other Dangerous Acts”.
Maya received her B.F.A in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University and she is a graduate of the NALAC Leadership Institute. Visit www.mayamalangonzalez.com to learn more.