María Irene Fornés

Maria Irene Fornes (born 1930) is a Cuban-American playwright. Fornes was born in Havana, Cuba, and emigrated to the United States at the age of 15. She became a naturalized citizen in 1951. Her first publicly performed play, Tango Palace, was produced in 1963. She gained prominence in avant-garde circles and was a known friend of figures of 1960s and 1970s culture in New York, including the now deceased Joseph Papp and Susan Sontag, and was late... more

Maria Irene Fornes (born 1930) is a Cuban-American playwright. Fornes was born in Havana, Cuba, and emigrated to the United States at the age of 15. She became a naturalized citizen in 1951. Her first publicly performed play, Tango Palace, was produced in 1963. She gained prominence in avant-garde circles and was a known friend of figures of 1960s and 1970s culture in New York, including the now deceased Joseph Papp and Susan Sontag, and was later championed by Performing Arts Journal (later PAJ). She became a pivotal figure in both Hispanic-American and experimental theater, winning thirteen Obies. Some of her more notable works include Fefu and Her Friends (1977) and Sarita (1984). Fornes's influence in theater is vast, due not only to her unique vision as a writer but also her ongoing role as a teacher. She continues to direct plays and receive fellowships and grants from key foundations. Fornes received an honorary Litt.D. from Bates College in 1992. Playwright Nilo Cruz also... less