2024 Season Main Series

Alma

—
by Benjamin Benne
Directed by Sara Guerrero
FREE for Members Buy Tickets

Awards and Recognition

  • OC PREMIERE
  • WINNER ATC National Latine Playwriting Award

» See this show for free when you Subscribe for $20/month!

On the Fyda-Mar Stage… 

Alma and her daughter, Angel, made sixteen wishes long ago: good health, love, carne asada every day, perfect SAT scores, and a spot at UC Davis, to name a few. But now that Angel is 17, she’s got a different vision for her future than her immigrant single mom. Featuring the powerfully fresh voice of playwright Benjamin Benne, winner of the National Latinx Playwriting Award, Alma is a poetic, funny, and timely play filled with lots of amor and a touch of symbolism. It begs the question: what does the American Dream mean today—and who does it belong to?

WINNER of 2019 ATC National Latine Playwriting Award

“Universally relatable mother-daughter drama…poignant and relevant. A family drama full of tenderness and hope”Chicago Tribune

“Benne knows how to serve up the sweet, the savory and the bitter, blending the flavors of real family life well to give us a full meal, depicting the bond of love under duress” New Haven Review

“Benne distills the legion of issues densely packed into any discussion of immigration and documentation into a relatable mother-daughter relationship” Chicago Reader

“Powerful! This is a love story between a mother and her daughter, and that works in any language.” Chicago Onstage

Executive Producers
Steven & Louise Koch

Associate Producer Laurie Smits Staude

Executive Season Producers
Bette & Wylie Aitken

Associate Season Producer The Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
Community Partners

Show artwork designed by KC Wilkerson, kcwdigital.com.

 

LATINX COMMUNITY NIGHT
Friday, May 17, 7-11:00 p.m.
Community Partner: Breath of Fire Latina Theatre Ensemble
  • 7:00 p.m. - Mingling in the Chance lobby over light bites and Happy Hour drinks. Be sure to meet our Community Partners!
  • 8:00 p.m. - Alma begins! We can't wait for you to see this performance!
  • 9:45 p.m. - Participate in a post-show conversation with the Cast and our Community Partners.
  • 10:15 p.m. - Don't leave just yet! We have a second round of bites and drinks.
  • 10:45 p.m. - Last call! The event comes to an end.
Are you part of a Community Organization? Contact us at [email protected] for information on special discounts and fundraising opportunities.

IN REHEARSAL

Heather Lee Echeverria and Marta Portillo in rehearsals for the OC Premiere of “Alma.” This winner of the 2019 ATC National Latine Playwriting Award will play May 3-26, 2024 on the Fyda-Mar Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center. Written by Benjamin Benne; Directed by Sara Guerrero. Photo by Shinshin Yuder Tsai.
Marta Portillo in rehearsals for the OC Premiere of “Alma.” This winner of the 2019 ATC National Latine Playwriting Award will play May 3-26, 2024 on the Fyda-Mar Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center. Written by Benjamin Benne; Directed by Sara Guerrero. Photo by Shinshin Yuder Tsai.
Marta Portillo and Heather Lee Echeverria in rehearsals for the OC Premiere of “Alma.” This winner of the 2019 ATC National Latine Playwriting Award will play May 3-26, 2024 on the Fyda-Mar Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center. Written by Benjamin Benne; Directed by Sara Guerrero. Photo by Shinshin Yuder Tsai.
Heather Lee Echeverria and Marta Portillo in rehearsals for the OC Premiere of “Alma.” This winner of the 2019 ATC National Latine Playwriting Award will play May 3-26, 2024 on the Fyda-Mar Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center. Written by Benjamin Benne; Directed by Sara Guerrero. Photo by Shinshin Yuder Tsai.
Marta Portillo in rehearsals for the OC Premiere of “Alma.” This winner of the 2019 ATC National Latine Playwriting Award will play May 3-26, 2024 on the Fyda-Mar Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center. Written by Benjamin Benne; Directed by Sara Guerrero. Photo by Shinshin Yuder Tsai.
Heather Lee Echeverria and Marta Portillo in rehearsals for the OC Premiere of “Alma.” This winner of the 2019 ATC National Latine Playwriting Award will play May 3-26, 2024 on the Fyda-Mar Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center. Written by Benjamin Benne; Directed by Sara Guerrero. Photo by Shinshin Yuder Tsai.
Marta Portillo and Heather Lee Echeverria in rehearsals for the OC Premiere of “Alma.” This winner of the 2019 ATC National Latine Playwriting Award will play May 3-26, 2024 on the Fyda-Mar Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center. Written by Benjamin Benne; Directed by Sara Guerrero. Photo by Shinshin Yuder Tsai.

Articles & Reviews

Read More on the Blog

Audience Buzz

Have something to say? Share your comments below!

Venue Bette Aitken theater arts Center

Bette Aitken theater arts Center
5522 E. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA  92807
More Information Get Directions
Venue Amenities
  • Full-Service Bar
  • Free Parking
  • Conveniently Located

See the show? Share your experience with us...

Don't worry, we'll keep this private.
Was there a moment that stood out? Did something surprise you? Positive or constructive, your comments are always appreciated.

At a Glance

Upcoming Performances
Approximate Running Time:
1 hour, 30 minutes with no intermissions
Special Notes:

Featured Artists

Cast Members

Marta Portillo
Alma
Heather Lee Echeverria
Angel

Production Team

Benjamin Benne
Playwright
Sara Guerrero
Director
Christopher Scott Murillo
Scenic Designer
Jeanette Godoy
Costume Designer
Kara Ramlow
Lighting Designer
Melanie Falcón
Sound Designer
Cynthia C. Espinoza 
Stage Manager
Karli Jean Lonnquist
Dramaturg
Martin Noyes
Fight Director
Belén Alcalá
Costume Liaison

Partners

Steven & Louise Koch
Executive Producers
Bette & Wylie Aitken
Executive Season Producers
Laurie Smits Staude
Associate Producer
Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
Associate Season Producers
Chance Theater Resident Artist