Dora Arreola

Dora Arreola has more than 30 years of professional experience as a theatre and dance artist.  In 1987-89, she was a participant at Jerzy Grotowski's Workcenter in Pontedera, Italy.  Dora went on to study Directing with Ludwig Margules in Mexico City (1992-94), and later Suzuki Technique with diverse Suzuki Technique trainers in USA.  She founded the company Mujeres en Ritual Danza-Teatro in 1999, of which she is still the Artistic Director.  Dora received her MFA in Directing from the University of Massachusetts in 2009, and joined the faculty of the University of South Florida (USF) School of Theatre and Dance in 2010, where she is currently an Associate Professor.

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Dora has worked extensively as a performer, director, teacher and movement specialist at professional theatres and universities.  She has directed more than 40 productions, often featured in diverse international festivals, including:  Celebrating the Birth of Jerzy Grotowski in Kolkata, India (2016), Spoleto Open in Italy (2014), Meetings with Remarkable Women in Poland (2009), Teatro Justo Rufino Garay International Theatre Festival in Nicaragua (2006),  New York International Fringe Festival (2003), Cuerpos en Transito (Tijuana, Mexico, 2001-04), and more.

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Dora is co-author of the book Mujeres en Ritual: Gender & Transformation (CECUT, 2014); and is featured in the book Grotowski, Women, and Contemporary Performance: Meetings with Remarkable Women by Virginia Magnat (2013).  Awards include:  Thespian Prize of Honor for Artistic Excellence, Baja California (2015); and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the State of Sinaloa, México (2014).  Dora is a founding member of Art2Action Inc., and currently serves on the Board.