Dallas Theater selects fresh face Alyssa Carrasco to guide adolescent drama 'The Other'
Rewritten Article:
Alyssa Carrasco, a young talent who's no stranger to local productions, made waves with her stellar performances in "Is Edward Snowden Single?" at Second Thought Theatre and "Cloud Tectonics" at Teatro Dallas. Now, she's diving headfirst into directing, marking her professional debut with Teatro Dallas.
A 2021 theater program graduate from the University of Oklahoma, she caught the attention of Teatro Dallas producer Mac Welch after her outstanding performance in "Snowden." Despite her lack of prior experience with Teatro Dallas, she was keenly aware of the company and its reputation.
Teatro Dallas, a 40-year-old troupe, has resurfaced with a mission to nurture rising artists. One of their initiatives, Nuevo Mundo, involves pairing seasoned directors with newcomers to foster growth. Aspiring directors, like Carrasco, are provided with valuable opportunities to grow, with the chance to choose and direct their own productions.
For her debut, Carrasco decided to tackle "El Otro," a chilling, coming-of-age drama by Octavio Solis, a celebrated Latinx playwright. Solis, a talented writer who's garnered acclaim for his immersive, thought-provoking theater works, graduated from Dallas Theater Center's Trinity University program. His big break came in 1987 when Teatro Dallas commissioned him to write "Man of the Flesh."
"El Otro" tells the compelling story of a 13-year-old girl torn between her two fathers. Complications arise when her housepainter-turned-drug-dealer father and her straitlaced stepfather collide. As you can imagine, chaos ensues. Carrasco describes the play as a "dark, gritty coming-of-age story" that echoes her personal journey in many ways.
Born in Irving and raised in Arlington, Carrasco discovered her passion for theater during her high school freshman year. She initially planned to pursue journalism but her instincts led her to the theater department instead.
At OU, she delved into acting, directing, and dramaturgy, honing her skills. A highlight of her college years was directing "Marisol," penned by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright José Rivera, also author of "Cloud Tectonics."
In Teatro Dallas' 2020 production of "Cloud Tectonics," Carrasco shared the stage with another rising star, Omar Padilla. Their characters shared an unforgettable love story amidst a torrential downpour in Los Angeles. Carrasco's next acting gig is Shakespeare Dallas' production of "The Taming of the Shrew," slated for this fall.
Acting is Carrasco's creative outlet, allowing her to express a myriad of emotions, from pain and loss to unbridled joy. Her bubbly personality transforms on stage, revealing a depth of emotion and vulnerability that can leave audiences spellbound. Directing, however, requires a different approach—one that comes with great responsibility.
Carrasco initially considered moving to New York or L.A. after graduating but decided to return to North Texas, citing financial concerns. Currently living on her own in Dallas, she maintains a comfortable existence, but she dreams of exploring the vibrant, cultural melting pots of big cities eventually.
"El Otro" runs from May 16th to 31st at the Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak St. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through teatrodallas.org. arts access, powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA, brings you this coverage. A community-funded journalism initiative, Arts Access is supported by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, Communities Foundation of Texas, The University of Texas at Dallas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef, and The Meadows Foundation. The News and KERA retain full editorial control of Arts Access' journalism.
[1] https://www.americantheatre.org/features/2013/10/playwright-octavio-solis-20-questions/
[2] https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/26/on-the-row/
[3] https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/theater/2020/09/02/how-octavio-solis-helped-transform-san-antonios-teatro-guadalupe-into-a-national-fa/
[4] https://www.kwesq.com/local-news/dallas-actors-get-their-chance-to-perform-for-a-cause-nuevo-mundo-festival- Returns/
[5] https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/octavio-solis-i-love-the-twisting-of-tales-that-hide-a-meaning-most-important-8786868
- Alyssa Carrasco's directorial debut is happening at Teatro Dallas, who are known for nurturing rising talents and providing opportunities for newcomers to grow, like Carrasco.
- For her first production, Carrasco chose to direct "El Otro," a chilling, coming-of-age drama by Octavio Solis, a celebrated Latinx playwright familiar to Teatro Dallas.
- Solis, whose big break came with Teatro Dallas, is known for immersive, thought-provoking theater works and graduated from Dallas Theater Center's Trinity University program.
- Carrasco shares a connection with "El Otro," a dark, gritty coming-of-age story that has personal resonance for her.
- The play tells the story of a 13-year-old girl caught between two fathers, leading to inevitable chaos and complications.
- Carrasco has a bubbly personality but is capable of expressing a wide range of emotions on stage, leaving audiences spellbound.
- Balancing acting and directing requires a different approach, one that comes with great responsibility, according to Carrasco.
- Aspiring directors like Carrasco are carefully paired with seasoned directors in Teatro Dallas' Nuevo Mundo initiative to foster growth and provide valuable opportunities.
