EPIC TALES From the Land of Melanin
Based on histories of real-life women of color and non-Eurocentric fairytales, Epic Tales from the Land of Melanin tells a hilarious, imaginative adventure tale of three girl warrior-explorers taking on the world! Along the journey, our fierce young heroes must attempt to reclaim the power that was stolen from them and their people.
EPIC TALES From the Land of Melanin was originally devised by Guadalís Del Carmen, Mariana Green, Brandi Lee, Maya Mackrandilal, Enid Muñoz, Alyssa Vera Ramos, Deanalís Resto, Ana Velazquez and Teresa Zoríc with FEMelanin and is directed by Deanalís Resto.
Biographies
Deanalís Resto
Deanalís Resto (Director) is a queer femme Pennsylvania-raised Boricua theatre artist, singer, dancer, poet and teaching artist. As one of the FEMelanin co-founders, Epic Tales is close to their heart. Deanalís was one of the original performers in the full-length version of the piece, and is thrilled to be stepping into the role of director for this iteration. Deanalís loves long talks with loved ones, bike rides, beaches, alliteration, naps, deep emotional processing, LIZZO and lists. Cancer Sun, Aries Moon, Libra Rising. Ithaca College Alum, BFA Musical Theatre. They/She/Her/Them.
Alexandra Alontaga
Alexandra Alontaga (Ha’ani) is eager to guide everyone on an epic journey to both faraway lands and their true inner selves. She is passionate about teaching children and representing different cultures and is endlessly grateful that she gets to do that with the FEMelanin team for Make/Believe! She has previously worked with Ghostlight in Nutcracker Nightmare and their live reading of 9 to 5. Alex was most recently seen in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Blank Theatre), and is also the company manager for Random Acts Chicago. Special thanks to Aaron and Gavin for their love and support during this opportunity.
Mari DeOleo
Mari DeOleo (Anacaona) is an Afro-Latin creator and storyteller based on the Southside of Chicago. She is a clown, physical theater artist, extreme performer, writer, director, producer, visual artist, teaching artist and emerging filmmaker from Dominican Republic by way of rural Pennsylvania. Mari’s creative practice focuses on empowerment, connection and building community through comedy, participation and play. Her work is informed by spectacle theater, storytelling, clown, buffoon, improv, comedy and performance practices from the Caribbean, Latin America and West Africa.
She is an independent artist and has collaborated with Jabberwocky Marionettes, Mudlark Theater, Prop Thtr, Organic Theater Company, The Chicago Fringe Festival, Collaboraction Theatre, Opera-matic, WBEZ, NPR’s WWDTM, Storytown Improv, Kidworks Touring Theater, Chicago Underground Film Festival, Chicago Improv Productions, The Moth in Chicago, Chicago Podcast Festival, Chicago Improv Festival and Activate! Chicago. Mari is the founder and CEO of DeOleo Creative LLC and PlayLab Productions.
Isaura Flores
Isaura Flores [they/them] (Carmen) is a Performing Artist/Educator/&Community Organizer from Chicago. Based out of Pilsen, they are working on building brave/healing/creative autonomous learning spaces for families and longtime residents with an emphasis on care for indigenous black and brown youth, trans, queer, undocumented and femme identifying folks. They are also currently self-producing their first album and one-person show!
Sonja Lynn Mata
Sonja Lynn Mata (Magic-Maker) is an actor-creator hailing from the suburbs of Chicago. She graduated with a BFA in Theater Performance from Ohio, University in Athens, Ohio, and has performed with the National Theater and Dance Company of Ghana in their nation’s capital, Accra. She completed the professional training program at Dell’ Arte International School of Physical Theater in Blue Lake, California. She is a current ensemble member of Theater Unspeakable. Sonja continues to devise original works throughout the city of Chicago and the Midwest. Her one-woman show: ¡Abuela, mas panqueques por favor! is slated to open in August 2020. Sonja is grateful to step back into the role as Magic Maker. Check her out at: www.sonjalynnmata.com
Sharaina Latrice Turnage
Sharaina Latrice Turnage (Magic Maker) is from the notoriously awesome southside of Chicago. Recent credits include: Mementos Mori (Manual Cinema), The American Revolution (Theater Unspeakable), Los Milagros (Free Street Theater) and Grey Area (FYI). Sharaina has researched and performed theater historical done by slaves called “Du” theater in Suriname, South America, and was amongst one of the first actors to perform “Du” theater in the United States. Sharaina received her Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville where past credits include: Mayme (Intimate Apparel), LaWanda/Topsy Washington/Normal Jean (The Colored Museum) and Bernice (Servy N Bernice 4ever). Sharaina thanks her family and close friends for the constant support. "The greatest pleasure in life is DOING what people say you CANNOT do."