SPF 13: I Can Cry If I Want To
After losing her older sister in 1968, Cecilia and her family are trapped in cycles of grief. More than 50 years later, finally ready to feel something other than sadness she begins therapy, unearthing painful memories. But how do you move forward when healing means cutting the ties that bind you to your family?
Development
This is a brand-new play. SPF 13 marks the first reading, public or private.
Natalie Camunas is a Los Angeles native, USC graduate, queer second-generation Latinx actor & writer. Natalie has worked regionally in theaters across the country, favorites include “Mother Road” at Arena Stage, “Native Gardens” at Cleveland Playhouse, and originating the role of Gabby Orozco in the world premiere co-production of “American Mariachi” at the Old Globe Theatre & Denver Center for the Performing Arts. TV credits include Goliath opposite Billy Bob Thornton on Amazon and Speechless on ABC. She is a long time collaborator & ensemble member of Bessie award winning artist Dan Froot & Company. Their NY Times recommended podcast PANG! is available on iTunes. As a director, Natalie was selected as a participant of the inaugural National Institute for Directing and Ensemble Creation at Pangea World Theatre in Minneapolis. Her op-ed writing has been featured in HowlRound. As a playwright, Natalie’s plays have been produced in Los Angeles, New York, & Ireland. nataliecamunas.com
Dr. Daphnie Sicre just finished directing the musical So Proudly We Hail at the Hollywood Fringe (New Musicals Inc.) and last summer, she directed the live production of Waiting (Playwrights’ Arena) by Daniel A. Olivas, following a year of Zoom productions: Black Mexican (San Diego Rep/Latinx New Play Festival), This Bitch by Adrienne Dawes (Austin Latinx New Play Festival), Diversity Awareness Picnic by Leah Nanako Winkler (LMU), Talking Peace by France-Luce Benson (Fountain Theatre) and multiple stage readings. Her LMU debut was In the Heights before the pandemic hit. Select New York City directing credits include: Jose Casas’s 14 (BMCC), Shower Me by Sheyenne Brown (FringeNYC), Stranger by Kendra Augustin (Stage Black), where she won Best Director and the AUDELCO nominated Not About Eve by Karl Williams. She is also teaches at LMU, and is the resident dramaturg at the Robey Theatre as well as a culture consultant for Nickelodeon.
“I Can Cry If I Want To”
Cecilia – Denise Blasor
Mami – Yeniffer Behrens
Papi – Mauricio Mendoza
Violet – Alexis Santiago
Young Cecilia – Julianna Mendoza-Behrens
Tatiana / Mariana / Julieta – Lys Perez
Therapist – Karina Noelle Castillo
Stage Directions – Presciliana Esparolini*
*Road Company Member
