Founded in 1989 by actor/director Rosario Vargas, Aguijón Theater Company is celebrating its 35th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its journey of cultural enrichment and theatrical excellence. A cornerstone of the city’s vibrant arts scene, specializing in presenting Spanish-language plays to diverse audiences, Aguijón has been committed from its inception to showcasing the richness and diversity of Latino culture through compelling and impactful productions. The theater’s name, ‘Aguijón,’ meaning ‘sting’ or ‘stinger’ in Spanish, reflects its mission to provoke thought and stimulate dialogue through the power of theater.
Over the past 35 years, Aguijón Theater has curated a repertoire that spans the breadth of universal theater, encompassing classics from around the globe alongside commissioned works by local Chicago playwrights addressing contemporary social issues. The company has earned acclaim for its innovative interpretations, talented ensemble cast, and dedication to authenticity in storytelling.
Central to Aguijón’s mission is its dedication to showcasing the vibrant talent of Chicago’s Latino theater artists. The company provides a vital platform for emerging and established performers, directors, and playwrights, offering opportunities for artistic growth, professional development, and cultural expression, by nurturing and amplifying the voices of Latino theater artists, Aguijón enriches the cultural fabric of Chicago and beyond, ensuring their contributions are celebrated and their stories are heard.
Beyond its productions, the company has played a crucial role in fostering cultural exchange and understanding within Chicago’s diverse communities. Through outreach programs, educational initiatives, and collaborations with other arts organizations, Aguijón Theater continues to engage and inspire audiences of all backgrounds.
As Aguijón Theater embarks on its next chapter after 35 remarkable years, it remains steadfast in championing cultural diversity, celebrating artistic excellence, and inspiring meaningful dialogue that transcends language barriers and cultural boundaries.
AGUIJÓN THEATER COMPANY
Chicago’s Longest Running Spanish Speaking Latino Theater Company
Since 1989, Aguijón Theater Company has fostered the diverse cultural excellence of Chicago’s Latino artists while challenging and inspiring audiences to surmount language barriers and boldly cross cultural boundaries.
Join us for new and classic performances from the Aguijón Theater Company ensemble or expand your knowledge and join us for a virtual discussion on all things hispanic theater on Aguizoóm! We also offer acting workshops for adults and youth through Nuestra Cultura, an After School Matters program in partnership with the city of Chicago.
A COMMEMORATIVE BOOK
Aguijón 30 años | Aguijón 30 years
The book Aguijón 30 Años | Aguijón 30 Years displays in 146 pages, in Spanish and English, the history of this Latino company since its inception. It documents in eight chapters and in more than 300 photographs the story of Aguijón theater Company. The historical research was led by Peruvian journalist Elio Leturia and supported by Mexican writers Andrea Ojeda and Marcopolo Soto, who documented a story never written before, compiling year by year all the plays produced by the company.
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Aguijón Theater Company offers acting workshops and Theater Techniques Training for teens and adults in Chicago through world-class programs.
In partnership with the city of Chicago’s After School Matters program (ASM), we provide Chicago’s youth with a space to explore their passions and develop their talents through the magic of theater.
AGUIZOÓM!
Since our beginnings, we have conducted a monthly series called LET’S TALK THEATER WITH AGUIJÓN, which brings together directors, actors, playwrights, designers, and other performing arts workers in a kind of theater salon that provides a space for these creators to showcase their work and establish a direct dialogue with the public. The talks are generally held on the last Tuesday of each month but in recent times, for obvious reasons, they have been suspended. AGUIZOÓM is a way to resume this conversation through a new virtual platform.
MEET 4 PLAYWRIGHTS AND THEIR BEGINNINGS
Join us for a conversation with our guests, writers Rey Andújar, Guadalís del Carmen, Raúl Dorantes, and Teresa Dovalpage, who will discuss their beginnings in playwriting with Aguijón Theater, their current work, and other details about their process.
LET’S TALK THEATER
MEET OUR 2020 WINNER
- 1st prize: Jose Manuel Hidalgo with his play El no lugar
- Honor Mention, Teresa Diaz of the Glove, Monstruo bajo Tierra
Presented by our ensemble member Andrea Ojeda.
SUPPORT US THROUGH DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERING
Your support is invaluable to our mission of producing high quality Spanish language theater. There are a number of ways you can help.
Since 1989, Aguijón has been dedicated to producing the highest quality theatrical works in Spanish and to providing a home for Spanish-speaking artists in Chicago to grow and develop their work. We challenge and inspire our audiences, our communities and ourselves to surmount language barriers and cross cultural boundaries through theater — and we can’t do it without your support.
Every dollar donated to Aguijón makes it possible for us to continue to provide the best Spanish-language theater that Chicago has to offer. Donations help fund everything from set materials to actor stipends. We can do a lot with a little, and every little bit helps! We are a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Our work is possible through the generosity of our collaborators, audiences, family of actors, and donors.
