One of the most significant works of contemporary Puerto Rican theater, Blanco Temblor, written and directed by Carola García López and produced by Teatro Público, is making its Los Angeles debut as part of the Festival Encuentro.

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Festival Encuentro, created by the Latino Theater Company, aims to showcase the rich diversity of Latin American voices in the performing arts. From October 24 to November 10, the Los Angeles Theater Center will host this artistic gathering, where Blanco Temblor stands out as the only production coming directly from Puerto Rico. Teatro Público joins 18 other companies from cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Mexico City.

Blanco Temblor explores a historically overlooked topic: mental health, addressing issues such as bipolarity, suicide, psychiatric hospitals, medication, and societal prejudices. Through laughter, music, and movement, the play follows Marina del Mar, a bipolar Puerto Rican astrophysicist and suicide survivor who has a congenital condition that prevents her from trembling. With humor and beauty, we witness her encounters with both living and deceased loved ones as she navigates the depths and lights of her psyche on her healing journey.

“We are honored to represent our country and bring visibility to the theater we create. Blanco temblor explores the mind’s abysses through poetry and humor. Our planet and Puerto Rico are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis; suicides are rising, along with the silence surrounding these issues. We must begin to normalize these conversations; our lives depend on it,” said playwright, director and actress Carola García López.

The Los Angeles cast includes Gabriela Saker as Marina del Mar, alongside Carola García López, Laura Isabel Cabrera, Maximiliano Rivas and Yussef Soto Villarini. The

production team features Jeliannys Michelle as producer and stage manager, and Ángela Sofía Caro as production designer.

“Blanco Temblor is a vital contribution to contemporary Puerto Rican theater, and we at Teatro Público take great pride in sharing this story across our country and beyond. We have witnessed firsthand how this fun, brave, and deeply human piece of art can transform perspectives and foster communal healing, constantly reaffirming us why we make theater,” said Gabriela Saker, actress and artistic director of Teatro Público.

The production features set design by Agua, Sol y Sereno, lighting design by Marién Vélez, costume design by Desireé Cruz Fidalgo, original music and sound design by Omar Silva, and audiovisual design by producer Raquel Vázquez Varela, alongside Diego Luciano.

For more information about the production and to reserve tickets, visit latinotheaterco.org/blancotemblor