Great Roles for Latine Actors

From an irrepressible bodega owner to a self-absorbed NFL running back to a successful middle-aged novelist, these characters demonstrate the width and breadth of the Latine experience. Check out this list of titles and roles exploring the varied histories and perspectives of people in the Latine community.

American Night: The Ballad of Juan José by Richard Montoya (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Political Satire / 3w, 6m)
As Juan José feverishly studies for his citizenship exam, his obsession to pass takes him on a fantastical odyssey through U.S. history, guided by a handful of unsung citizens who made courageous choices in some of the country’s toughest times. A provocative, irreverent, and hilarious mix of past and present, stereotype and truth with an excellent opportunity for actors either in the leading role of Juan José or in a range of characters for the supporting ensemble.

Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 3w, 5m)
This Pulitzer Prize winner is a poignant and poetic drama set in Florida in 1929 in a Cuban-American cigar factory, where cigars are still rolled by hand and “lectors” are employed to educate and entertain the workers. The arrival of a new lector is a cause for celebration, but when he begins to read aloud from Anna Karenina, he unwittingly becomes a catalyst in the lives of his avid listeners, for whom Tolstoy, the tropics, and the American dream prove a volatile combination. For more stories featuring Latine roles by the same author, check out Hortensia and the Museum of Dreams (US/UK).

Barrio Hollywood by Elaine Romero – Available in English (US) or Spanish (US)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 2w, 2m)
In this tense family drama, a young Mexican-American boxer dreams of fighting his way out of his family’s economic plight in his neighborhood. His sister, a passionate ballet folklorico dancer and dedicated cultural artist, dreams of owning her own dance studio to pass her Mexican traditions on to another generation. Their mother dreams of taking her poker winnings and going on an extended vacation to the Canary Islands. The family’s dreams are deferred when the young boxer sustains a brutal head injury in the boxing ring and the family learns how far they are willing to go in the name of love.

Bye Bye Birdie by Michael Stewart, Charles Strouse and Lee Adams (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 6w, 5m + ensemble)
A loving send-up of the 1950s, small-town America, teenage life, and rock ’n’ roll, this musical centers on teenage musical heartthrob Conrad Birdie. When Birdie is about to say goodbye because he gets drafted for the war, the heart of rock ’n’ roll and public farewell kisses make all the girls weak in the knees. The role of Rose Alvarez – a feisty young woman who is both part of Birdie’s management team with Albert Peterson and also Albert’s long-suffering girlfriend – offers triple-threat role for a strong woman to embody with determination.

Chimichangas and Zoloft by Fernanda Coppel (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 3w, 2m)
Suffering from a profound sense of disappointment after her 40th birthday, Sonia flees her family and goes on a binge of prescription Zoloft and greasy chimichangas. Sonia’s rebellious daughter Jackie and her best friend Penelope hatch a plan to lure Sonia back home, while their fathers struggle with a secret association of their own. This irreverent story examines the search for happiness and the mysteries of sexuality through the eyes of two brazen teenagers. With roles for both teenagers and parents, this show is great for a group of Latine actors.

Elliot, a Soldier’s Fugue by Quiara Alegría Hudes (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 1w, 3m)
Tracing the legacy of war through three generations of a Puerto Rican family, this story focuses on 19-year-old Elliot, a recently anointed hometown hero who returns from Iraq with a leg injury and a difficult question: Will he go back to war a second time? While on leave, the stories of his father and grandfather who served in Korea and Vietnam before him weave with Elliot’s processing of his own experiences. A poignant story for both the title character and the supporting generations. For more stories featuring Latine roles by the same author, check out Water by the Spoonful (US/UK).

In The Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Quiara Alegría Hudes (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 6w, 6m + ensemble)
In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. This musical, which celebrates the Latine communities of northern Manhattan, is full of numerous incredible leads for Latine actors.

2024 Kennedy Center production of Bye Bye Birdie (Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

Just Like Us by Karen Zacarías (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 7w, 2m)
Based on Helen Thorpe’s bestselling book, this documentary-style play follows four Latina teenage girls in Denver – two of whom are documented and two who are not – through young adulthood. Their close-knit friendships begin to unravel when immigration status dictates the girls’ opportunities, or lack thereof. When a political firestorm arises, each girl’s future becomes increasingly complicated. Just Like Us poses difficult yet essential questions about what makes us American and is a great vehicle for numerous Latina actors. For more stories featuring Latine roles by the same author, try Mariela in the Desert (US/UK).

Kiss of the Spider Woman by John Kander, Fred Ebb, Terrence McNally and Manuel Puig (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 3w, 15m)
This musical revamps a harrowing tale of persecution into a dazzling spectacle that juxtaposes gritty realities with liberating fantasies. As cell mates in a Latin American prison, Valentin is a tough revolutionary undergoing torture, and Molina is an unabashed homosexual serving eight years for deviant behavior. Over time, the men begin to connect as Molina shares his fantasies about an actress, Aurora, who famously portrayed a Spider Woman who can kill with a kiss. Over the years, this musical has showcased brilliant Latine actors, from Chita Rivera to Diego Luna.

Kissing Fidel by Eduardo Machado (US)
(Full-Length Play, Comedy / 2w, 4m)
In an upscale Miami funeral home, a Cuban-American family has gathered for its matriarch’s final rights. The black sheep of the family, a successful novelist who has used his relatives as the source material for his books, much to their horror and pride, unexpectedly returns, announcing that he plans to go back to Cuba to kiss and forgive Fidel Castro. A full cast of characters for the whole extended family.

La Gringa by Carmen Rivera-Tirado – Available in English (US) or Spanish (US)
(Full-Length Play, Comedy / 3w, 3m)
María Elena García goes to visit her family in Puerto Rico during the Christmas holidays and arrives with plans to connect with her homeland. Puerto Rico does not welcome her with open arms. The majority of the Puerto Ricans on the island consider her an American – a gringa – and Mari­a considers this a betrayal. If she’s a Puerto Rican in the United States and an American in Puerto Rico, Maria concludes that she is nobody everywhere. Her uncle, Manolo, spiritually teaches her that identity isn’t based on superficial and external definitions, but rather is an essence that she has had all along in her heart. Every role in the family is available to embody from aunts to cousins to neighbors who feel like family.

Latin History for Morons by John Leguizamo (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Comedy / 1 any gender or flexible casting)
When John takes a peek at his son’s history textbooks, he is shocked to find… well, nothing, at least when it comes to the impact of Latin culture over thousands of years. Excited to share his heritage with his son, John dives deep, exploring everything from the Mayans to modern-day heroes. To be performed by one person or an ensemble, this zippy, irreverent and laugh-out-loud investigation of the past will make you take a second look at the present. For a few other options for one actor or a small ensemble by the same writer, try Ghetto Klown in English (US/UK) or Spanish (US/UK) and Mambo Mouth (US/UK).

Laughs in Spanish by Alexis Scheer (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Comedy / 4w, 1m)
It’s Art Basel, and the stakes are high for the gallery that Mariana runs in the Wynwood Arts District in Miami. And when Mariana’s movie-star mother tries to help out, things get even more complicado. Laughs in Spanish is a fast-paced, cafecíto-induced comedy about art and success – and mothers and daughters. Great for a small ensemble of Latine actors from multiple generations. For another option for a small ensemble of Latine actors by the same playwright, try Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (US/UK).

Mala Hierba by Tanya Saracho (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 4w)
Liliana has a sparkle few can deny and no one can resist. The trophy wife of a border magnate living in Texas, she’s seemingly impeccable. But beneath that polished exterior lies a fierce determination to survive at any cost. When Liliana’s true desires break the surface, she’ll have to decide between the value of obligation versus the price of freedom. This play holds four great roles for young women!

2014 Second Stage Theater production of Mala Hierba (Joan Marcus)

Man Cave by John J. Caswell, Jr. (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 4w)
In this chilling political thriller, Imaculada has gathered her friends in the fortress-like mansion belonging to her absent employer, a wealthy Republican Congressman living high on a hill in Sedona, Arizona. Together they convert his luxurious basement man cave into their own spiritual war room and protective sanctuary from the violence of men, both real and supernatural. A strong showcase for two generations of Latinas.

Marisol by José Rivera (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 4w, 1m)
In this Obie Award-winning play, Marisol Perez, a young Latina woman, commutes from the Bronx to her job as a copy editor at a Manhattan publishing house. While heading home from a frustrating work day, Marisol narrowly escapes a vicious attack by a golf club-wielding madman, ushering in an apocalyptic urban fantasy involving her guardian angel, an old and senile God, and masses of displaced and unhoused people. Ultimately, Marisol and the oppressed masses join the angels in a war to save the universe.

Mojada by Luis Alfaro (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 4w, 1m, 1 child)
Medea and Jason have escaped the worst. After a harrowing journey across the Mexican-American border, the couple has made it safely to the States, where they can work toward a better life for their family. While Jason is convinced the future looks bright, Medea fears a darker fate as they face the challenges of living without documentation. Blending Euripides’ classic with Mexican folklore, Luis Alfaro examines the tragedy behind America’s immigration system and the destiny of one family caught in its grip. A great odyssey for a small ensemble of Latine actors.

Moreno by Pravin Wilkins (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 4m)
August 2016. The NFL is being shaken by Colin Kaepernick’s monumental decision. While other players join him in taking a knee, star running back Luis Moreno is all about his game – and his paycheck. When a destructive new reality hits close to home, Luis is forced to ask whether politics have a place on the field, and if he is willing to risk his career to take a stand for his own community. Moreno himself is a substantial role for a young man.

On the Wings of a Mariposa by Dinorah Márquez Abadiano, Barbara Joosse and Alvaro Saar Rios (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play with Music, Drama / 4w, 1m, 5 any gender)
Based on Barbara Joosse’s beloved children book, On the Wings of a Mariposa is a story about one girl’s quest to keep her abuelita’s memory alive set during the beautiful annual monarch butterfly migration. After her abuelita dies, 10-year-old Pilar uses an old shawl that smells like her grandmother to help her remember their adventures together. One whiff reminds her of the two of them making tortillas or visiting a special forest known as el Círculo Magico where her abuelita would converse with wildlife. But as the shawl’s scent fades, so too do Pilar’s memories. Once it’s gone, will she lose her grandmother forever? This play with music is a true celebration of life and bursts at the seams with warm memories and joy and roles for a number of whimsical hearts.

Rabiosa by Nelson Diaz-Marcano (US/UK)
(10-Minute Play, Drama / 1w)
A short one-woman show, Rabiosa pits a fiery Puerto Rican woman against Hurricane Maria, as she demands the hurricane give back what it took away. The battle is on, the lasso is ready, but will the island survive? Rocio is a great role for a woman between her 20s and 40s.

Santos & Santos by Octavio Solis (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 5w, 8m)
A crime saga about the Santos Family Law Practice in El Paso of the 1980s, loosely based on the Chagra brothers’ killing of Judge John Wood. Drugs, gambling, and trafficking fuel the law office of Santos & Santos, and the brothers are quick to incorporate the younger brother after the death of their father. He questions his relationship to his heritage as he sees his brothers so eagerly trying to live the life of the “American.” When one of the brothers is tried for murder, Tomas leads an elaborate plot to assassinate the presiding judge in the trial. The roles of the three Santos brothers offer a chance for actors to explore family relationships within the same generation.

Simona’s Search by Martín Zimmerman (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 1w, 2m)
Simona’s father is an enigma. Curious about his life in Latin America before moving to the United States, Simona obsesses over his secrets as her thoughts and dreams become haunted by the mystery that is his past. A riveting exploration of the bond between fathers and daughters, love and sacrifice, nature and nurture. A great piece for two actors to explore a father-daughter relationship across cultures.

So Go the Ghosts of Mexico (Part One) by Matthew Paul Olmos (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 1w, 4m)
The first of a three-play cycle exploring the U.S./Mexico drug wars, this chilling yet darkly humorous drama was inspired by the “Bravest Woman in Mexico.” When no one else will accept the position, a 22-year-old woman volunteers to replace the local police chief, who was recently beheaded. Her bold decision sets off a chain of reactions in her husband, the Narcos, and perhaps the entire country of Mexico. This show holds multiple opportunities for actors to take on serious roles with dramatic themes.

Somewhere Over the Border by Brian Quijada (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 3w, 3m)
Inspired by the real-life journey of the author’s mother, Reina Quijada, from El Salvador to the US, and by L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this musical embraces the factual and the fantastical in its depiction of one young girl’s pursuit of the American dream. As Reina travels north to the Mexican border, she gathers friends, faces down dangers, and holds tight to the memory of the little boy she left behind. Great for Latine musical theatre actors.

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 5m)
As a lifelong fan, Puerto Rican Macedonio Guerra has followed wrestling only to become a “jobber,” one who is paid to lose to bigger-name stars in the ring. Macedonio meets Vigneshwar Paduar, a young Indian man from Brooklyn, who he wants to team up with. The wrestling execs go for it, but pitch them as “terrorists” in the ring. Unspoken racism, politics and courage are all woven into this play that leaves it all on the mat.

The Lady from Havana by Luis Santeiro (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Comedy / 3w)
Mama, an elegant older woman from Cuba, arrives at the Miami home of her daughter, Marita, with her former maid, Zoila, in tow… and a host of misgivings about living in exile in the United States. As the mother and daughter circle each other warily, the clash of cultures, generations and character create one confrontation after another. The play then jumps ten years, where three women reminisce and converse in one of the funniest funeral scenes ever written, celebrating survival and the amazing, and often comical, resilience of the human spirit.

Torera by Monet Hurst-Mendoza (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 2w, 2m, 2 any gender)
Bullfighting in Yucatán, Mexico is a world nearly exclusive to men – yet for Elena María Ramírez, it is her life’s ambition. With the help of her best friend, a matador’s son, Elena begins secretly training to compete with the greatest. But when she discovers that her seemingly inherent talent can beat even the most accomplished toreros, this young woman must choose between accepting society’s limits or breaking boundaries. A powerful play written by a stunning new voice in the American theatre, Torera tells a poignant story about becoming your truest self by proudly stepping into the ring.

Wolf at the Door by Marisela Treviño Orta (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 3w, 1m)
Inspired by Latino folklore and mythology, Wolf at the Door is part of a cycle of fairy tales by Marisela Treviño Orta. In this piece, Isadora finds the strength to stand up to her abusive husband Septimo when he forces the very pregnant Yolot to stay against her will. While Septimo makes plans for the baby, Isadora and Yolot devise one of their own. And as a pack of wolves closes in on the hacienda, Isadora must decide what price she’ll pay for her own freedom. An entire cast of characters is available for Latine actors to explore in this haunting drama. For another story with great roles for Latine actors by the same author, take a look at The River Bride (US/UK).

For more plays celebrating the Latine experience, visit the Concord Theatricals in the US.