About the Writers

Yvonne Garcia Zaher is the author of the supernatural fantasy series The Anubis Chronicles: The Council Book One, and one of the editors of Chicanas at Play; An Anthology of Ten Minute Plays. Born in San Antonio Texas she was raised in Southern California. As a young girl living in a barrio where tragedy through gang violence is a common occurrence, she found solace in reading and writing. One of her passions, which she considers to be an important mission, is collecting and creating short stories that reflect the sometimes violent and passionate nature of Chicano Culture. Her purpose is to institute knowledge and understanding to a group of people who have been misinterpreted and mischaracterized for generations. The Heart & Soul of the Barrio Series is her collection of short stories, which will inspire the reader to contemplate the thought: Nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

Beatriz Jamaica is a Chicana from Chicago. Her parents immigrated from Mexico, her mom from Torreon, Coahuila and her dad from La Noria, Guanajuato. Beatriz has been acting since college. She has performed in Chicago theaters, independent films and TV. When she relocated to Los Angeles, she joined Chicanas, Cholas and Chisme, a women’s writing group. Growing Up Too Fast was inspired by her own story as a teen mom. She followed her dream to go away to college and received her BA in Linguistics at Cornell University then her MA in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Beatriz was an Academic Advisor at UIC for fourteen years and later helped her community with their Affordable Care Act applications, and then with the US Census. Beatriz will continue to act and write and hopes to inspire the youth to never give up on their dreams.

Wendy Corazón is a playwright, poet, published writer and teaching artist impassioned by her life experiences growing up as a daughter of immigrants in a xenophobic community; she is a first-generation college graduate and specializes in uplifting the global majority’s voices through restorative justice practices, self-empowerment, and healing through writing. She had her writing debut at CASA 0101 Theater through Chicanas, Cholas y Chisme in 2013. Since then, she has had seven short plays produced through CCC including Whatcha Mi Tacuche, Don’t Forget Me, My Father, Dissent, What If, P.C., Super Doñas and Santa Sangrona. In 2019, she stage managed the most successful production at Casa 0101, Always Running. When she is not pouring her heart into her writing, she is dedicating her time to historically exploited communities. Wendy earned her Dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish from CSULA in June 2007.

Rocio Diaz is a first generation undocumented mujer who graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a BA in Theatre. She is a Mexicana poet, writer, actress, producer and artivist. By day, she is an immigration advocate. Rocio has had numerous plays produced on the Casa 0101 stage such as: Pink Scars, Tired, Dear Patriarchy, Once Upon A Time… Con DACA and MONARCA. 

Jacqueline Guido She/Her/ Ella

A Mexican American hyphenated artist uses her voice to showcase her community. Her upbringing by immigrant farmworker parents shaped her passion for telling multi-generational stories to drive social and environmental change. She recently completed the 2023 PA Certification and the BIPOC-SciFi Lab with Justice For My Sister. The City Council of San Diego declared September 16th as Jacqueline's Day to acknowledge her contributions as a writer, director, actress, and producer. Jacquie Is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, Chicana Directors Initiative, and Women in Media. To learn more about Jacquie’s current projects you can follow her on IG @principessajax and https://linktr.ee/jacquelineguido

Suzanne Linares is muy excited to be a part of Chicanas at Play. She has been writing short plays for the past 11 years. Plays written include Star Fuck and Not an Accident and several others. She also paints and makes people laugh while she tells jokes during her stand up comedy sets…

Maria G. Martinez shares her life experiences through writing, storytelling, theater, and comedy. Maria’s plays and solo performances have been presented at the Frida Kahlo Theater, at CASA 0101 Theater, and Miles Theater. Maria has participated in The Los Angeles Women’s Theater Festival; and her previously published and produced works include Breaking My Father’s rules, and Breakfast with My Mother. As a recipient of the 2022 Individual Artist Grant from the California Arts Council (CAC), Maria developed and presented her full-length solo performance of Stranger in the Mirror in the Fall of 2022 . Maria is also a member of the 50 th Chicano Moratorium Core Committee and has written extensively about her experiences in the Chicano Movement. Maria’s current writings and performances also explore her experiences as an elder in a society that glorifies youth.

Mari Mercado is the proud Mother of Johari and Huma and a Glama to Jada and Gemma. She attended Garfield High School in East Los were she was born and raised. Mari received a B.A. from UCLA in Spanish Literature and Linguistics. Mari taught elementary at LAUSD for 20. She also taught English and Spanish in Guadalajara Jalisco, where her mother was born and where her parents met after her father moved to the city from beautiful Yahualica Jalisco. Mari is an interpreter. She has done legal, medical, and social justice interpretation while teaching. Mari founded an enrichment center at The Ramirez Mortuary Building, a building she loved and always wanted for her Escuelita on Cesar Chavez since the age of 12 Acá Los Niños Música y Más. She has also organized and advocated for many social justice, environmental labor and economic justice movements and organizations.

Lorena M. Ortega was born in Santa Ana, CA — originally known as Acjachemen territory. Lorena has participated at CASA 0101 Theater as a co-producer, writer, and director with Chicanas, Cholas, Y Chisme’s New Works Festival. She and her family are strong supporters of intimate theater and have been participants of the youth and family classes at CASA 0101 Theater for several years. She moved into the role of volunteer educator for the Parent and Caretaker Storytelling class, alongside her mentor, Maria G. Martinez, when CASA 0101 moved its classes to online programming. When she isn’t writing or directing, she is an Education Coordinator for tribal youth in Southern California. Education: California State University, Long Beach–BA in Chicano and Latino Studies and English Education, MA in Education: Social and Cultural Analysis of Education.

Lorena “Lore” Ramirez was born in the year of 1978 in Jalisco, Mexico, and raised Catholic. Although she is not a devout practitioner in the religion she has an immense unbreakable faith in God. She attended La Escuela Primaria de Juana de Asbaje en Santa Maria del Valle. In 1993 she immigrated to Los Angeles, California along with her amazing husband. While raising two amazing children she worked as a seamstress while taking ESL night classes to improve her English and writing skills. Flower designs and candle making are among her talents which she enjoys, but her true passion is running. She has participated in six Los Angeles Marathons, supporting causes in mental health and child abuse. The pandemic encouraged her to take storytelling classes for the first time, which led her to write her first play, Perdoname Hermano, which was produced on stage at Casa 0101 Theater. 

Kerri Koch Ramos... 

Cinnamon Rivera is a published playwriter, director, producer, poet, radio show and spoken word event host. She recently joined Short & Sweet Hollywood festival as the LGBTQIA Program Director. Her work has been staged at Casa 0101, Frida Kahlo Theater, The Brisk Festival and The Hollywood Fringe Festival. Cinnamon has co-directed Arena the House Musical and Brown & Out play festival. Cinnamon is also the co-creator of The Show and Tale play/film festival.  Her 10 minute play Mickey is published in the anthology titled Chicanas At Play.

Doreen Sanchez realized her passion for the arts in an elementary school summer program at the Inner-City Cultural Center, with C. Bernard Jackson. She continued in High school at the Salesian Catholic High School, Drama Department, and went on to study at a small theater in Altadena, CA. Doreen began to venture into sharing spoken word at venues like Beyond Baroque and the Women’s Building. In the early 80’s she discovered Danza Azteca, soon after she joined Xipe Totec and has been a devoted Danzante ever since. Through her work with Xipe Totec has had the opportunity to perform at the Ford Theater, Universal Amphitheatre, and numerous backyards. Doreen’s writings are inspired by her life experience and stories of her grandmother (Yaqui and Apache indigenous roots. Something Exciting is her experience as a child growing up in Los Angeles  in 1965. 

Juanita Zavaleta (She/Her/Ella) is a Mexican-American poet, writer, published author, associate producer, single mother, educator, activist organizer, and cat lady in training. A North East Los Angeles native, she discovered a passion for words early in childhood. In high school, she discovered another love, theater. After high school and several gap years here and there, she earned a bachelor's degree in English Literature. It took a global pandemic to rekindle her love and passion for the written word and performing arts. She writes about her life, love, loss, healing, new beginnings, and cats. She currently works in resource education for the visually impaired.