Manuel Antonio Morán

Actor | Director | Producer | Writer

Work Experience

SOCIETY OF THE EDUCATIONAL ARTS, INC. (SEA, Teatro SEA)

NEW YORK, NY 10002/SAN JUAN, PR 00921/
OVIEDO, FL. 32765.
Founder/CEO & Artistic Director.

GRUPO MORÁN LLC (The MORÁN Group)

JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372/SAN JUAN, PR 00929/
CEO

HISPANIC YOUNG PEOPLE'S ALTERNATIVES (HYPA)

BROOKLYN, NY
Consultant/Drama Director

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY/CREATIVE ARTS TEAM

NEW YORK, NY 10003
Actor-Teacher

PUBLICATIONS, CONFERENCES, RESEARCH & FILMS

Books:
Teatro Migrante para Niños: Un Caribeño en Nueva York (An Anthology), Editorial Tablas-Alarcos, La Habana, Cuba, 2016

Mantequilla/Butter, Aventures and Tribulations of a Puerto Rican Boy, SEA Publications, New York City, USA, 2017

The Colors of Frida, SEA Publications, Serie Libros-Teatro, New York, USA, 2018

Dissertation:
The Development of Teatro Escolar, the Theatre Program of the Public Education System in Puerto Rico: From 1960 to 1990 (New York University, 2005)

Online Magazine:
La Hoja del Titiritero, UNIMA (www.unima.org) Quarterly Online Magazine, Director, 2017-2021

Academic Papers & Lectures:
“Crossing Borders,” An UNIMA-USA Symposium, National Puppetry Festival, Georgia Tech University, Atlanta, June, 2009

“Illegal Immigration on Stage and for Children?”
– 1^st International Theatre for Children and Young People Researchers and Critics Forum, An ASSITEJ International Project, Buenos Aires, Argentina, July, 2010.
– Puppetry and Post-Dramatic Performance Conference, University of Connecticut, April, 2011

“An Overview of UNIMA-USA,” 11vo Taller Internacional de Títeres, Matanzas, Cuba, April, 2014

“Retablo para los títeres de Lorca,” 7mo Festival Internacional de Títeres, Escuela Ramírez, Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay, October, 2014

“Child’s Play,” National Puppetry Festival, Puppeteers of America, University of Connecticut, June, 2015

“Puppetry in the Caribbean,” World of Puppets Conference Series, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi, India, September, 2015

“Cultural Agents,” David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, November, 2015

Master Class “Artistic Direction in Musical Theatre for Children,” Casa de la Memoria, Matanzas, Cuba, April, 2018

“En tiempos de austeridad ¿es sostenible la cultura?” University of Puerto Rico, Humanities Department, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, April, 2019

Journals:
Puppetry International, a publication of UNIMA-USA, “Actors as Puppets?” April, 2005, Atlanta, Georgia

Puppetry International, a publication of UNIMA-USA, “GEORGE LATSHAW: Establishing a Tradition of Puppetry in Puerto Rico” April, 2007, Atlanta, Georgia

Puppetry International, a publication of UNIMA-USA, “A Profile of Amaranta Leyva” April, 2009, Atlanta, Georgia

Puppetry International, a publication of UNIMA-USA, “Illegal Immigration on Stage and for Children?” & “An Overview of Puppet Theatre in Puerto Rico; past, present and future” October, 2010, Atlanta, GA

Revista El Sol, Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico, “Tres Festivales de las Artes Memorables” & “Panorama del Teatro de Títeres en Puerto Rico; pasado, presente y futuro,” September, 2012, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Móin–Móin: Revista de Estudos sobre Teatro de Formas Animadas, N. 11. “Panorama del Teatro de Títeres en Puerto Rico; pasado, presente y futuro,” Jaragu. do Sul, Brazil, Sociedade Cultura Artística de Jaraguá do Sul–SCAR, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina–UDESC, October, 2013.

Puppetry International, a publication of UNIMA-USA, “Latinizing Shakespeare” June, 2020, Atlanta, GA

Mamulengo, Revista da Associação Brasileira de Teatro de Bonecos/ Centro UNIMA Brasil – ABTB-CUB: “Titiriteros Pandémicos” Florianópolis: ABTBCUB. Periodicidade semestral ano 46, v. 17, September, 2020, Brazil

The Puppetry Journal, a publication of Puppeteers of America, “Puppetry in Puerto Rico, Young but Quickly Growing” November, 2020, Minneapolis, MN

UNIMA’s La Hoja del Titiritero, (12 Editions) Director, Guest Editor and writer of the Quarterly Online Magazine of UNIMA 3 Americas Commission, 2016-2021.

Newspaper Articles:
El Diario-La Prensa, “El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico …institución y tradición musical” August, 1993, New York

El Diario-La Prensa, “¡Puerto Rico está de fiesta!” Puerto Rico Celebrates! November, 1993, New York

Noticias del Mundo, “NotiMundo en el Planeta SEA” Weekly Kids Page, 56 weeks/editions, 2003-04, New York

Noticias del Mundo, “Mi Mundito” Weekly Children’s Newspaper, 15 Editions, 2004, New York

Book Prologue:
Apuntes sobre el teatro de títeres en Puerto Rico, by Rafael A. Ortiz Mercado, December, 2002

Other Articles:
Spiritual Mosaics, Stories of Faith from the Christ Church Family, “Snowflakes” May 2005, New York, NY

Plays & Musicals:
“Las Leyendas del Cofre Encantado; Indigenous Tales of the Americas,” Co-written with Richard Marino, March, 1997, Revised August, 2011

Prologue of “La Plenópera del Empache” by Leopoldo Santiago Lavandero, June, 1997

“El Encuentro de Juan Bobo y Pedro Animal (The Encounter),” February, 1999

“Tropical!” Co-written with Radamés Gavé, April, 1999

“La Caperucita Roja,” March, 2000
Revision May, 2017 “La Verdadera Historia de Caperucita/The True Story of Little Red”

“La Cucarachita Martina/Martina, The Little Roach,” Co-written with Iván A. Bautista & Rafael Carrasquillo, October, 2000

“Cenicienta/Cinderella,” January, 2003
Revision February, 2018 “Cenicienta Tanguera/A Tango Dancing Cinderella”

“Mi Chivita Mágica/My Magical Chivita, The Colorful Colombian Bus,” May, 2003, Revised October, 2018

“Los Amigos de Lola y Pinino,” July, 2004

“Ricitos y los 3 Ositos/Ricitos & The Three Bears,” March, 2005

“Puerto Rico en Forma,” Co-written with Mauricio Niebla, March, 2008

“Don Quixote” (Adaptation Bilingual Version) Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta, September, 2008

“Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinocchio” August, 2009

“Marisol y su sueño delicioso,” October, 2009

“Un Sueño de Navidad…El Musical” (In Progress)

“El Grito/The Scream,” (In Progress)

“My Superhero, Roberto Clemente,” March, 2014

“The Colors of Frida,” March, 2016

“The Galápagos Animal Convention,” November, 2019

“The Crazy-Adventures of Don Quixote” Co-written with Radamés Gavé, February, 2020

“Nico y el súper abuelo,” November, 2020

“Telenovela Dreams: A Melodramatic Latinx Musical,” January, 2021

“¡Sí, se puede! The César Chávez Story” (In Progress)

Novels & Short Stories:
“Mantequilla/Butter,” December, 2015

Film/Documentary:
“Títeres” Puppetry in the Caribbean: Cuba, Dominican Republic & Puerto Rico, A Three 45 minutes-Episodes Documentary Series, Co-Directed with Kristian Otero Morán (World Premiere, San Sebastián/Tolosa, Spain, May, 2016, Dominican Republic Premiere at Teatro Nacional de Santo Domingo, Oct. 2016; Official Selection The 2016 Habana Film Festival, Dec. 2016, Puerto Rico Premiere at Fine Arts Cinema, San Juan, March, 2018.)

“Ay-Islamiento o Encuentro Necesario,”
Co-written with Harvey Padilla, Screenplay. 2017 (In Progress)

Education

2005

Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.: New York University, New York, NY, Educational Theatre

1992

Masters of Arts Degree: New York University, New York, NY, Educational & Musical Theatre

1990

Bachelor of Arts Degree: University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, PR, Humanities and Drama

Summer 2002

Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo, Santander, Spain

Summer 1992

New York University’s Study Abroad Program, Internship in British Drama-in-Education, Holborn Centre for the Performing Arts, London

Summer 1989

University of Puerto Rico’s Study Abroad Program, Temple University

AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS

Puerto Rico’s Youngest Professional Theatre Producer, El Mundo Newspaper, San Juan Puerto Rico, November, 1989;
Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña Scholarship (1991, 1992, 1993);
Scholarship, Board of Higher Education and Ministry, United Methodist Church, 1992;
Awarded “Grand Marshall” 1^st National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City, June, 1996;
“Citation of Honor” Claire Schulman, Queens Borough President, November 1997;
“Citation of Honor/Proclamation” Luis Meléndez Cano, Mayor and City Council Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, February, 1999;
“ACE Award” for Best Musical Production for “Rafael Hernández…Romance”, Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos, New York, March, 1999;
Americorps National Service Award, June, 1999;
“Puerto Rican of the Year”Award, Puerto Rican Association of Queens, New York August, 1999;
“HOLA Award” for Best Musical Production for “Rafael Hernández…Romance”, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, March, 2002;
Programa Jóvenes Líderes Hispanos, Embassy of Spain, Washington D. C., Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo, Santander, Spain, Fundación José Ortega y Gasset, Madrid, Spain Summer, 2002;
“Latino Expo Cultural Award”, by the City Council (Hon. José Serrano), New York, October 2002;
“Comité Noviembre Award – Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad”, New York, October, 2002; and the
“2002 Cultural Award” from Teatro Natives, Queens, NY, December, 2002;
“HOLA Award” for Best Musical Production for “A 3 Voces”, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, September, 2003.
“ACE Award” for Best Musical Production for “A 3 Voces”, Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos, New York, April, 2004;
2 “HOLA Awards” including Best Comedy/Musical Production “Los Títeres de Cachiporra/The Billy-Club Puppets”, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, September, 2004.
“Así se hace” Award, Telemundo/NBC, Home Improvement Style TV Show honoring & rewarding community leaders, November, 2004.
2 “HOLA Awards” including Best Musical Production “Ricitos & The 3 Bears/Ricitos y los 3 ositos”, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, September, 2005.
El Diario-La Prensa’s “EL Award 2005,”recognizing the most prominent Latinos in New York City, November, 2005.
“HOLA Award” for Best Musical Production “Los Desertores/The Dropouts”, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, September, 2007.
5 “HOLA Awards” including Best Direction and Best Musical Production “La Muela del Rey Farán/The Toothache of King Farfan”, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, September, 2008.
2 “ACE Awards” for Best Direction and Best Costumes “La Muela del Rey Farán/The Toothache of King Farfan”, (11 Nominations for Teatro SEA) Association of Latin Critics, New York, May, 2009.
Selected as one of “40 under 40 Young Master Puppeteers World-wide” by Puppetry International Magazine, Spring & Summer Issue # 25, April, 2009.
2010 UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence for “La Muela del Rey Farán/The Toothache of King Farfan” Wilmington, NC, July, 2010.
2 “HOLA Awards” including Best Puppet Desing and Best Musical Production “Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinocchio”, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, October, 2010.
2011 LUCY Award, Liberata Dance Theater Company, New York, April, 2011.
2 “ACE Awards” for Best Actor in a Musical and Best Musical “Viva Pinocho! A Mexican Pinocchio” (3 Nominations for Teatro SEA) Association of Latin Critics, New York, April, 2011.
6 “ACE Awards” (7 Nominations for Teatro SEA) “2012 ACE Awards” including Best Actor in a Musical and Best Musical “DC-7 The Roberto Clemente Story” Association of Latin Critics, New York, Dec., 2011.
6 “ATI Awards” including Best Musical “DC-7 The Roberto Clemente Story” Association of Independent Theater Artists, New York, March, 2012.
The Cristian Rivera Foundation, Humanitarian Award, Copacabana, New York City, September, 2012.
2 “HOLA Awards” for Best Supporting Actors, “DC-7 The Roberto Clemente Story,” Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, October, 2012.
ACE Award for Best Direction of a Musical “A 3 Voces,” (3 Nominations for Teatro SEA) Association of Latin Critics, New York, April, 2013.
2 “ATI Awards” Best Set “Rafael Hernández…Romance” & an Institutional Award, (5 Nominations) Association of Independent Theater Artists, New York, March, 2014.
ACE Award for Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical “Rafael Hernández…Romance,” (14 Nominations for Teatro SEA) Association of Latin Critics, New York, April, 2014.
ATI Special Recognition Award, Association of Independent Theater Artists, New York, March, 2015.
4 ACE Awards including Best Production and Best Direction of a Children’s Theater Production “Los Títeres de Cachiporra” (9 Nominations for Teatro SEA) Association of Latin Critics, New York, April, 2015.
3 “HOLA Awards” for Best Production Design, Best Female Actor and Best Musical Production, “Sueño (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)” Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, October, 2015.
Dedication of the 51^st International Theatre Festival of the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October-December, 2015.
7 “ATI Awards” Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Actors in a Musical (3) “La Gloria, A Latin Cabaret,” Best Production, Best Actress “Sueño,” (9 Nominations) Association of Independent Theater Artists, New York, March, 2016.
5 “ACE Awards,” for Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical “La Gloria; A Latin Cabaret,” Best Sound “Sueño,” Best Children’s Theater, Best Actors in Children’s Theater “Skeletons” (13 Nominations for Teatro SEA) Association of Latin Critics, New York, March, 2016.
4 “HOLA Awards,” for Best Musical, Best Choreography and Best Leading Actors (2) “La Gloria; A Latin Cabaret,” Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, November, 2016.
8 “ACE Awards,” for Best Musical Revival “La Gloria; A Latin Cabaret,” Best Children’s Theater, Best Actors, Best Direction, Best Production in Children’s Theater “The Encounter of Juan Bobo & Pedro Animal,” Best Documentary “Títeres en el Caribe Hispano” (17 Nominations for Teatro SEA) Association of Latin Critics, New York, April, 2017.
Best Documentary “Títeres en el Caribe Hispano” International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival, New York, November , 2017
5 “ACE Awards,” for Best Actors in Children’s Theater, Best Direction, Best Production in Children’s Theater “The Three Pigettes and the Big Bad Lady Wolf, (13 Nominations for Teatro SEA) Association of Latin Critics, New York, March, 2018
5 “ATI Awards,” for Best Actors in Children’s Theater, Best Costumes, Best Direction, Best Production in Children’s Theater “The Three Pigettes and the Big Bad Lady Wolf, (13 Nominations for Teatro SEA) Association of Independent Theater Artists, New York, March, 2018
2018 Viva Loisaida Award, The Loisaida, Inc. 31st Loisaida Festival, NYC, May 2018
2 “HOLA Awards,” for Best Musical and Best Leading Actor (J. Sol) “A Tango Dancing Cinderella,” Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York, October, 2018.
“Latin Alternative Theater Award (LATA)” for Best Theater Event/Production: International Puppet Fringe, NYC, New Jersey, February, 2019.
Dedication of the XIV Bienal Internacional de Títeres de Puerto Rico, Caguas, Puerto Rico, November, 2020.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

UNIMA, Union Internationale de la Marionnette
Colegio de Actores de Teatro de Puerto Rico, Lic. 323
HOLA, Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, New York
Puppeteers of America, Inc.
NALAC, National Association of Latino Arts & Culture
ASSITEJ, International Association of Theater for Children and Young People
Alliance of Teatros Latinos, New York
Children’s Media Association (CMA)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CEO/President, Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc./ Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (SEA), Puerto Rico, New York, Florida, (1985-Present)
Chairperson (1999-2001) (2008-2016) & Member (1999- 2008), Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center, Inc. New York
Vice-President (2012- 2021) Member, (2008-2012) Executive Committee of UNIMA, Union Internationale de la Marionnette, France
President (2015-2017), Vice-President (2004-2015), Member (2008-2011) UNIMA-USA, Atlanta
President (2016-2021) 3 Americas Commission, UNIMA
President (2008-2016) & Member (2004-2008), North America Commission, UNIMA
Collaborating Member, Latin American Commission, UNIMA International, (2004-2008)
Advisory Board Member (2009-2016), Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors
Treasurer (2012-Present), Board of Directors, The Horned Dorset Colony,
Member, Planning Board, National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc., New York, 1996-1998
Board Member, Escuela Teológica para Ministerios Laicos, New York, 1996-1998
Member, Administrative Council, Iglesia Metodista Unida San Pablo, New York, 1992-1999