BIO
Ruby Nelda Perez is a nationally acclaimed solo-performer who has toured professionally throughout the USA, Mexico, and Latin America since the mid-1970’s.
Ms. Perez, born in Chicago, Illinois, was raised in the small south Texas town of Alice. Ms. Perez received her theatrical education at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX. There she was introduced to Latin American Theatre and founded El Teatro Bilingue de Kingsville that toured extensively in Mexico. In early 1977, the company was invited to perform at the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center where she was honored with the Award of Excellence Medal.
Later that year, she became a founding member of El Teatro Bilingue de Houston performing with the company throughout the Houston area. In 1980, Ms. Perez joined El Teatro de la Esperanza in Santa Barbara, CA that toured extensively. In 1982, she returned to Houston to accept the position of Artistic Director for El Teatro Bilingüe de Houston and produced numerous bilingual productions.
In 1986, commissioned by Sandra Cisneros, Literary Director of Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Ruby interpreted several Latina poems for the stage and thus, beginning her solo career with, A Woman’s Work.
In 1994, Ruby collaborated with playwright Rodrigo Duarte Clark, Artistic Director of El Teatro De La Esperanza, in creating the successful one-person production of Doña Rosita’s Jalapeño Kitchen that premiered at the GCAC. By 1999, a sequel was developed with Doña Rosita’s Day of the Dead that premiered at Jump-Start Performance Company. Both shows have received exceptional recognition from both critics and audiences.
With over 100 performances of both one-solo productions, Ruby has performed at prominent venues; such as, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC, Whitney Museum NY, The Public Theater NY, Mexican Fine Arts Museum Chicago, Repertorio Español NY and Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Art Center in Denver, CO; plus, various Universities, Community Centers & Libraries, women shelter’s and numerous International Theater Festivals.
In 2015, Ruby was invited to perform at the Festival De Teatro Chicano-Encuentro Latino-Americano in Cuernavaca, Morelos, MX. There she was acknowledged by the Morelos En La Hora Nacional, a Mexican national radio station, as the Primera Actriz de Teatro Chicano.
Currently, Ms. Perez is part of the Texas Commission of the Arts touring roaster and received last year a ‘rural tour’ grant where she performed in libraries, classrooms, community centers and the Historic Basilica in Goliad, TX.
Ms. Ruby Nelda Perez has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career. Including the prestigious American Masterpiece from The National Endowment for the Arts in 2008.
Ms. Perez, born in Chicago, Illinois, was raised in the small south Texas town of Alice. Ms. Perez received her theatrical education at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX. There she was introduced to Latin American Theatre and founded El Teatro Bilingue de Kingsville that toured extensively in Mexico. In early 1977, the company was invited to perform at the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center where she was honored with the Award of Excellence Medal.
Later that year, she became a founding member of El Teatro Bilingue de Houston performing with the company throughout the Houston area. In 1980, Ms. Perez joined El Teatro de la Esperanza in Santa Barbara, CA that toured extensively. In 1982, she returned to Houston to accept the position of Artistic Director for El Teatro Bilingüe de Houston and produced numerous bilingual productions.
In 1986, commissioned by Sandra Cisneros, Literary Director of Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Ruby interpreted several Latina poems for the stage and thus, beginning her solo career with, A Woman’s Work.
In 1994, Ruby collaborated with playwright Rodrigo Duarte Clark, Artistic Director of El Teatro De La Esperanza, in creating the successful one-person production of Doña Rosita’s Jalapeño Kitchen that premiered at the GCAC. By 1999, a sequel was developed with Doña Rosita’s Day of the Dead that premiered at Jump-Start Performance Company. Both shows have received exceptional recognition from both critics and audiences.
With over 100 performances of both one-solo productions, Ruby has performed at prominent venues; such as, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC, Whitney Museum NY, The Public Theater NY, Mexican Fine Arts Museum Chicago, Repertorio Español NY and Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Art Center in Denver, CO; plus, various Universities, Community Centers & Libraries, women shelter’s and numerous International Theater Festivals.
In 2015, Ruby was invited to perform at the Festival De Teatro Chicano-Encuentro Latino-Americano in Cuernavaca, Morelos, MX. There she was acknowledged by the Morelos En La Hora Nacional, a Mexican national radio station, as the Primera Actriz de Teatro Chicano.
Currently, Ms. Perez is part of the Texas Commission of the Arts touring roaster and received last year a ‘rural tour’ grant where she performed in libraries, classrooms, community centers and the Historic Basilica in Goliad, TX.
Ms. Ruby Nelda Perez has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career. Including the prestigious American Masterpiece from The National Endowment for the Arts in 2008.
Awards & Commissions
Designated as an National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) American Masterpiece Touring Artist 2008
Texas Commission on the Arts
Texas Touring Roster
Texas Rural Tour Program
National Association of Latino Arts & Culture (NALAC)
Grant Awardee 2005
Fund for the Arts 2008
Dallas Morning News
Doña Rosita’s Jalapeño Kitchen selected as Theatre Top Ten of 1997
National Performance Network (NPN)
Grant Award for Creation of New Work 1999
Doña Rosita’s Day of the Dead
Premiered at Jump-Start Performance Company
San Antonio, TX
Living Legends Tribute 1998
San Antonio Theatre Coalition (SATCO)
Texas Commission on the Arts
Texas Touring Roster
Texas Rural Tour Program
National Association of Latino Arts & Culture (NALAC)
Grant Awardee 2005
Fund for the Arts 2008
Dallas Morning News
Doña Rosita’s Jalapeño Kitchen selected as Theatre Top Ten of 1997
National Performance Network (NPN)
Grant Award for Creation of New Work 1999
Doña Rosita’s Day of the Dead
Premiered at Jump-Start Performance Company
San Antonio, TX
Living Legends Tribute 1998
San Antonio Theatre Coalition (SATCO)
Testimony
On September 22, 2017 we had the pleasure of hosting the play “Dona Rositas’s Jalapeno Kitchen”. We have a lot of music performances at the library but this is the first time we have tried having a play. I saw Ruby Nelda Perez on the Texas Commission on the Arts touring roster and it looked like it would be fun.
From the beginning Ms. Perez was great to work with. The contracts were simple and she replied quickly to my emails. The only setup required for her performance was two tables. There were no audio visual requirements so getting ready for the show was a breeze.
We had a great turnout for the event. The play was about a woman who was being forced out of her restaurant by big developers. Dona Rosita was feisty, warm, and funny. She made you want to be on her side in the battle.
Many patrons stayed behind after the show to talk to Ms. Perez. They wanted to know more about her and what other shows she did, and where they could see her again. We plan on having her back in the spring for the sequel to the play so we can find out what is happening in the life of Dona Rosita. Did she sell the restaurant? What about the developers that were taking over her neighborhood? Hopefully those questions will be answered when she returns.
I would highly recommend Ms. Perez and her play for anyone wanting quality entertainment at an affordable price. You will not be disappointed.
Brenda Coulter
Adult Services Coordinator
Tye Preston Memorial Library
From the beginning Ms. Perez was great to work with. The contracts were simple and she replied quickly to my emails. The only setup required for her performance was two tables. There were no audio visual requirements so getting ready for the show was a breeze.
We had a great turnout for the event. The play was about a woman who was being forced out of her restaurant by big developers. Dona Rosita was feisty, warm, and funny. She made you want to be on her side in the battle.
Many patrons stayed behind after the show to talk to Ms. Perez. They wanted to know more about her and what other shows she did, and where they could see her again. We plan on having her back in the spring for the sequel to the play so we can find out what is happening in the life of Dona Rosita. Did she sell the restaurant? What about the developers that were taking over her neighborhood? Hopefully those questions will be answered when she returns.
I would highly recommend Ms. Perez and her play for anyone wanting quality entertainment at an affordable price. You will not be disappointed.
Brenda Coulter
Adult Services Coordinator
Tye Preston Memorial Library