Maria Torres

(Director, Choreographer, Producer)

*Member of SDC &
League of Professional Theatre Women

Maria Torres is an acclaimed Choreographer and Director with extensive experience in theater, film, and television, and a back- ground in performance. She is of Puerto Ri- can, Dominican, and Cuban heritage which is a great foundation for her endless talents.

As an award-winning performer, Torres
graced both the Broadway stage and the sil-
ver screen, in such distinguished projects as
the film Dance with Me starring Vanessa
Williams; the hit 6 time Tony nominated
B’way musical Swing!; Thornton Wilder’s
The Skin of Our Teeth at the Public Theater; and at the legendary Radio City Music Hall, among numerous other credits working with directors/choreographers includ- ing Jerry Zaks, Diane Paulus, and Sergio Trujillo. Early in her performing career, she was already contributing to many of her projects as a specialty choreographer/ director.

Behind the scenes, Torres is a two-time Clio Award Winner for her choreography, with multiple nominations for others, and has worked with producers and directors at MTV, NBC, HBO, BBC and Walt Disney. Choreography credits include: lead choreographer for Lucille Lortel and Carbonelle Award (nominated for best chore- ography) “Four Guys Named Jose” (produced by Enrique Iglesias), associate choreographer for the Oscar nominated film “Enchanted”, contributing choreogra- pher and lead performer in Broadway’s Swing, and associate choreographer on showcase for Tony award winning In The Heights. As guest choreographer on the fan-favorite So You Think You Can Dance, Torres won two Choreography Festival Awards for her original pieces. She was also New Yorker of The Week (NY1).

As a director in her own right, Torres brings to life dance, theater, and musical acts, working with worldwide music icons like Don Omar and Enrique Iglesias, direct-

ing individual pieces such as the finale number of the internationally televised Latin Billboard Awards, and co-conceiving, choreographing and directing full length works including the “Magic Of Salsa Kingdom” and the Off-Broadway hit Latin Heat. Torres is an Artist-in-Residence at The Rosetta LeNoire Amas Musical Theater and c3 in Los Angeles. Some of her recent projects include developing an original cutting-edge multimedia production “Pasion” (at c3); associate choreogra- pher for the critically acclaimed Broadway production “On Your Feet”; choreo- graphing full length feature film with Guy Guido “Loving Brooklyn”; and working on The Collective project. Maria’s work has great range with projects that include re-imagining a contemporary revival of Man of La Mancha for 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle, and developing new project together with original orchestrations for Havana Music Hall, to choreographing scenes for feature film “Fugly” with John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez and Radha Mitchell and colonial period pieces for AMC’s TURN: Washington’s Spies (season 3). She is also a proud member of SDC and League of Professional Theatre Women.

Maria has also established a flourishing legacy as an instructor, developing Latin Jazz as its own style, and introducing it into the dance studio environment, which has since been studied and taught throughout the world. On faculty and as a special guest instructor and choreographer she has worked with prestigious dance organi- zations including but not limited to Broadway Dance Center, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Julliard, and Alvin Ailey and has also had her work commissioned by a multitude of organizations and granting foundations. She has also made significant contributions through artist residencies and arts educational programming for insti- tutions such as Yale, Dartmouth, Penn State, Dalton, Fieldston, SUNY Purchase, and NYU. Her sustained dedication to continued arts educational programming opportunities and experiences has also inspired her work with organizations that focus on taking aspiring and working professionals to the next level with involve- ment in StageDoor Connections, Broadway Teachers Workshops and Broadway Theatre Project.

As a philanthropist, Maria mentors aspiring artists and creates opportunities be- tween organizations. She served on Lincoln Center’s board with Pierre DuLane, consulting on the creation of Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing Festival. Maria was the Host, Spokesperson, Director/Choreographer for the Pathmark His- panic Arts Festival founded in NYC which gained international momentum and was honored with a key to the city. In 2011, Torres along with Award Winning Ac-

tress Vanessa Williams and John O’Connor co-founded The Maria Torres Emerg- ing Artists Foundation (MTEAF) which also stands for Motivation, Teaching, Ed- ucation, Action, and Fellowship. MTEAF is a rigorous, interdisciplinary educa- tional and mentorship program in the performing arts empowering pre-teens and young adults, from multiethnic and underserved communities, to achieve their goals as professionals in the entertainment industry. MTEAF cultivates a solid network that inspires and teaches them to realize their dreams and pay it forward. Her projects include strong partnerships that align with similar goals, calling on her professional connections, she has and continues to increase access to the arts. Many of her latest projects including the dynamic new podcast “Hourglass: Time To Talk” offers insight into the professional performing arts industry while focus- ing on personal connections to humanity and to life. Torres was named the Artistic Advisor and Director of Strategic Programming for The Miracle Center in Chica- go, in addition to concept creator and Artistic Director of TMC Barrio Project working with Robert Rentaria. She has also appeared as a guest on Jordon Roth’s Making Mondays which gives live insight into the creation process via Periscope and is accessible to all at no cost. Other recent ventures include fundraisers for or- ganizations such as Dizzy Feet Foundation and Broadway League, as well as artis- tic advising for FUBU/RWS’s new televised series NIMBY which involves celebrities shining the light on causes they care the most about. Maria is very much focused on building a solid network with partnerships that will uplift, inspire and “pay it forward”.

Short Bio:

Maria Torres is a world-renowned Choreographer, Director, Producer and Per- former whose contributions have led the way for Latinos in the arts. She is an ac- tive member of SDC and the League of Professional Theater Women and has served as an advocate for artists over the entire course of her career. Major stage and TV credits include current Bway hit On Your Feet! (Associate Choreo); Bway & National Tour of Swing!; Seagrams DJ Live Show (Clio Award); Latin Billboard Awards (Telemundo); Off- Bway productions of Latin Heat, Four Guys Named Jose (Carbonelle nom), The Donkey Show (A.R.T.), Mambo Kings, and Celia: The Life & Times of Celia Cruz; Don Omar’s “King of Kings” (US Tour); and Disney’s Golden Mickeys (International Tour). Additional credits from feature to indepen- dent films include Dance With Me, Disney’s Enchanted, El Cantante (Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony), Fugly (John Leguizamo), and Physical Attraction. Cur-

rent projects include Man Of La Mancha (5th Avenue); Havana Music Hall, and Pasion (Immersive theater). Maria carries an impact across new media platforms whether its creating choreography interactively on Jordan Roth’s periscope Making Mondays, or her recently launched podcast “Hourglass: Time To Talk” offering in- sight into the professional performing arts industry while focusing on connections to humanity and to life.

Maria is a philanthropist with a strong desire to encourage aspiring artists, and cre- ate connections between supporting organizations, cultivating a solid network that will uplift, inspire and “pay it forward”. After years of teaching, mentoring and ad- vocating, she founded the Maria Torres Emerging Artists Foundation (MTEAF) which also stands for Motivation, Teaching, Education, Action, and Fellowship. MTEAF is a rigorous, interdisciplinary educational and mentorship program in the performing arts empowering pre-teens and young adults, from multiethnic and un- derserved communities, to achieve their goals as professionals in the entertainment industry. Maria’s latest projects include strong partnerships that are aligned with similar goals which is why she looks forward to bringing her own extensive expe- rience, industry resources and spirit of collaboration to the Chicago community in teaming up with the The Miracle Center and with M.A.D.D. in Miami, FL to name a few.

PRESS Highlights & Links

*Feature Stories:
Maria - http://hookedoneverything.com/maria-torres-director-dancer-choreographer-ac- tress-and-teacher/

MTEAF (non-profit organization) - http://hookedoneverything.com/maria-torres- emerging-artists-foundation-mteaf-mentors-inspiring-artists/

*Career Highlights (shortlist)
-Lucielle Lortel Nominated (Five Guys Named Jose)

-On Your Feet Bway & Tour (Associate Choreographer) -Enchanted (Disney) -Don Omar Tour & Billboard Awards -Disney’s Golden Mickeys

-Mambo Kings, Bway -SYTYCD Special Guest Choreographer -Zoot Suit (Chorographer) -America’s Got Talent Special Guest Choreographer

*Recent Projects:

Choreographer for revival of Luis Valdez’ Zoot Suit for Mark Taper Forum Director/Choreographer for Havana Music Hall (development) Choreographer for Amazon’s The Tick (season 1)
Artistic Director for Latin Dance Camp 2017 Choreographer for modern revival of Man of La Mancha at 5th Avenue

Theater
Choreographer for AMC’s Turn: Washington’s Spies (season 3)

Choreographer for “ON YOUR FEET” events including Broadway Across America, Macy’s Day Parade, Independance Celebration at The White House, Good Morning America, Rockin’ New Year’s Eve in Times Square

Choreographer for Americas Got Talent- Alondra Santos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zap7OcQj7Fo&feature=share

Producer/Creator/Host: Hourglass Time To Talk Podcast http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/hourglass

MTEAF Partnership with ACS to provide Arts & Culture Programming Featured Artist & Advocate for RWRB’s Nimby Experience Associate Choreographer for Broadway’s On Your Feet
Artistic Director of Advanced Programming, Artistic Advisor/Creative Di-

rector for The Miracle Center

Creator/Director/Choreographer for Pasion, immersive show focusing on Latino culture.

Artist Development workshops to help aspiring dancers Broadway Theater Workshop in NYC and FL and beyond.