Marco Antonio Rodriguez

Born and raised in New York City, with roots from the Dominican Republic, Marco Antonio is a graduate of La Guardia High School For the Performing Arts in NYC and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Southern Methodist University. He has acted, written, produced and directed hits such as Pico de Gallo and Heaven Forbid(s)! (Named Outstanding New Play by The Dallas/Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum). His short screenplays, Silence, Mariscal and Covenant all placed 1st at the NYC Midnight international screenwriting competitions. His acclaimed play, La Luz De Un Cigarrillo (Ashes Of Light), has received received extended by popular demand productions in theaters across the nation and internationally such as Off-Broadway's LATEA theater, Lehman Stages, Dominican Republic's Teatro Las Máscaras and Buenos Aires, Argentina's Teatro La Mueca. It is the recipient of 5 HOLA, 4 ACE and 3 prestigious Soberano awards, including Outstanding Achievement In Playwriting. La Luz De Un Cigarrillo (Ashes Of Light) has been published in both Spanish and English editions by NoPassport Press and studied at universities nationwide and internationally such as Rutgers and the University Of Puerto Rico. Marco Antonio has written guest commentary for national publication Latino Leaders Magazine and TCG (Theatre Communications Guild). He is the recipient of a Banff International Literary Translation Centre Writing Residency in Alberta, Canada and a CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Archives Library Fellowship. He was recently given an honorary award by the Dominican Ministry Of Culture and the Dominican Commission in New York for his artistic achievements. He was also given the "Rising Star Award" by the New York Dominican Parade. His play, Barceló Con Hielo (Barceló On The Rocks), won the national MetLife Nuestras Voces Playwriting competition as well as 4 HOLA awards which include outstanding achievement in playwriting. NoPassport Press has published Barceló On The Rocks in a dual English/Spanish edition available on Amazon.com. Marco Antonio recently adapted Julia Alvarez' best-selling novel, In The Name Of Salomé, into a stage play. It has won 4 HOLA awards including best play and best production and is enjoying a critically acclaimed run at New York's Spanish Repertory Theater. Next, Barceló On The Rocks will receive its Western New York premiere by Raíces Theater Company. As an actor, Marco Antonio has been seen in numerous television, films and theater productions.