Biography
Amy Vargas Rivera is a Nicaraguan native raised in Miami, Florida, and a dedicated theatre educator and performer. She holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Vocal Performance from The University of Iowa. Amy currently serves as the Practitioner in Residence of Acting in Musical Theatre at Columbia College Chicago.Her professional journey includes a range of impactful teaching and directing roles, including her previous position as the Director of Education at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, as well as teaching appointments at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and The Miami Children’s Museum. Amy is deeply committed to using her expertise to empower and inspire the next generation of theatre artists.As a director, Amy has worked on diverse and updated versions of musicals such as On The Town at Columbia College Chicago. She also served as the Assistant Director for Les Misérables through the International Lyric Academy in Vicenza, Italy, further expanding her international experience and theatrical repertoire.As a performer, Amy’s stage credits include notable productions such as A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot, Cabaret, and Native Gardens. She is also the author of a biographical collection of poems, exploring her cultural and personal experiences.Amy's play Temporary, based on her mother's journey across the U.S., won the prestigious 2021 Kennedy Center Latinx Playwright Award. Passionate about inclusivity and representation, Amy works tirelessly to create opportunities for underrepresented communities in American Theatre. She currently resides in Chicago, where she continues her work in both the creative and educational realms.
Instructional Areas
- Acting in musical theatre and vocal performance - Theatre directing and education with an emphasis on empowering students - Fostering inclusivity and representation in theatre - Mentoring students in playwriting and script development - Guiding students to explore personal and cultural experiences through performance - Teaching theatre history, analysis, and global practices - Advocating for diversity in theatre and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities - Providing an international perspective on theatre and performance from abroad experiences - Inspiring and equipping the next generation of theatre artists
Creative Practice and Research Interests
- Performing with a Focus on Representation: Taking on roles that represent marginalized identities to challenge stereotypes and expand visibility in theatre performances. Using my own performance experience to amplify diverse voices in theatre, both on stage and through academic research. Additionally, performing in faculty recitals, contributing to the development of new work and fostering an inclusive, diverse artistic community. - Musical Theatre History & Intersectionality: Investigating the evolution of musical theatre, with a focus on how diverse casting and inclusive practices can reshape traditional narratives. Conducting historical research on the contributions of queer, African American, Latino, and Jewish artists, and how their work has shaped the form we know today. Exploring the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, ability, and other factors in theatre, and examining how diverse casting in contemporary productions reflects and challenges these dynamics. - Multimedia Resources for Inclusive Learning: Creating audiobooks, podcasts, and other educational tools that blend research on diverse casting with practical performance insights, helping students of various backgrounds engage more deeply with the material. - Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Developing educational resources that incorporate diverse casting as a pedagogical tool, teaching students how to engage with theatre from a place of inclusivity and awareness. - Transforming the Canon through Diverse Casting: Researching and advocating for the reinterpretation of classic theatre works through diverse casting, offering fresh perspectives and enhancing cultural relevance.
Degrees
M.F.A., Theatre The University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign 2022