Tori and Mabelle talk with Dominican-American playwright, screenwriter, and director Marco Antonio Rodriguez, whose unconventional path took him from New York to Florida and Dallas, with a boost from Carmen Rivera and a pivotal reading with the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre led by Miriam Colón. The conversation traces how writing in Spanish—once something he resisted—ultimately opened the doors to The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and productions at Repertorio Español, The Goodman, and The Old Globe. Marco shares hard-earned wisdom about wearing many hats and trusting collaborators. He reminds us that show business is, above all, a business—one that demands grace, flexibility, and integrity, and a deep respect for the collaborative process of making theater. Photo credit: Benjamin Allen
Writing Prompt (courtesy of Marco Antonio Rodriguez)
Marco Antonio leaves us with two prompts. The first is to journal longhand, as often as you can. And don’t burden yourself that it has to be everyday. And… it can literally be one word: “Boom!” Journaling provides a symbiotic relationship with your brain and your spirit. The second is to find the nuance in your own, personal life. Was there something that happened today that, for you, was special to you? [You got coffee at Starbucks and not only did the barista put oatmilk in your coffee without you asking, but the woman who gave it to you had your same name. And we had a conversation about our names, and hers came from… (etc…)] A simple moment becomes a story. Find something simple and small that happened in your life today and write about it. You never know how it will spark an idea or a story.
Connect with Marco Antonio:
Website: https://www.marcoantoniorodriguez.com/
IG:@marcosings1
Marco Antonio’s bio: Named Top 50 Figure-LatinX and Latin American Theatre by Routledge. Double M.F.A. in acting and television and screenwriting. Acclaimed plays Ashes of Light and Barceló on the Rocks performed all over the world and published by NoPassport Press (available-Amazon.com & lulu.com). Spanish stage adaptation-Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao-will celebrate six years Off-Broadway this fall-Spanish Repertory Theatre. Domino Effect-Off-Broadway, 2025 -The People’s Theatre, NY. Oscar Wao-The Goodman New Stages Festival and Old Globe Theatre-Powers New Voices Festival. World Premiere of English version-The Goodman Theatre-February, 2026. Half-hour pilot-Our Friendly Neighbors-short-film format-DominiRican Productions. The Movement Theatre Company x Black List Playwriting Commission winner. Bloom-Published in TRW x Black List Inaugural Collaboration (available at theatricalrights.com). Screenplay, Suffer the Children-Finalist-Fresh Voices Screenplay & Creative World Awards. The Black List named it one of the top three screenplays of the month! National Hispanic Media Coalition Scriptwriters Program Fellow. New Roots and New York Stage and Film residencies. Literary Manager/Head of the Playwrights Unit Program- The People’s Theatre, NY. Voices “Uncle Nestor” in Emmy nominated PBS Kids series, Alma’s Way.
Check out the website for Repertorio Español: https://repertorio.nyc
Check out Junot Díaz’s book here: https://www.junotdiaz.com/books/the-brief-wondrous-life-of-oscar-wao/
Go and see Marco Antonio’s play at the Goodman (tickets go on sale in December!): https://www.goodmantheatre.org/
Marco Antonio runs the Playwrights Unit at https://thepeoplestheatre.org/team/
You can hear Marco Antonio as the voice of Uncle Nestor on https://pbskids.org/almasway/