ENCARNITA FIGUEROA, M.F.A.
1125 Daisy Lane
East Lansing, MI48823
(517) - 351-4609
EDUCATION
1987Master of Fine Arts in Acting, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
1982Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Theater, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
LANGUAGES
Read, write and speak fluently – Spanish and English; good speaking knowledge – Italian
TEACHING EXPERIENCE, WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS
Presenter1rst and 2nd Annual World Language Day, MichiganStateUniversity, Salsa Workshops, April 2nd, 2005 and April 22, 2006.
Visiting InstructorMichiganStateUniversity, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, August
2004 - present
Artist Residencies“The Creative Process: Using Classroom-based Artist Residencies and Technologyto Integrate Art in the Curriculum," Residency, program funded by No Child Left Behind, Title II, Teacher Development Grant, Sexton High School, Everett High School, Pleasant View Elementary, Lansing, MI, Red Cedar Elementary, E. Lansing, One Hundred Twenty Eight sessions with thirty-two teachers, September, 2004 through May 2005
Artist Residencies“The Creative Process: Using Classroom-based Artist Residencies and Technologyto Integrate Art in the Curriculum," Residency, part of No Child Left Behind, Title II, Teacher Development Grant, Riddle Middle School, Everett High School, Lansing, MI, Red Cedar Elementary, E. Lansing, Ninety-six sessions with twenty-four teachers, September, 2003 through May 2004
Keynote SpeakerTrio day / Student Leadership Summit, "Building Bridges from the Past to the Future," Radisson Plaza Hotel, Kalamazoo, MI, February 19th, 2004
Mime WorkshopLa Casa Project, Sponsored by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese,
McDonel Kiva, Michigan State University,East Lansing, MI,February 9th, 2004
Keynote Speaker21st Annual Conference of the Michigan Tutorial Association, "MTA," WesternMichiganUniversity, Kalamazoo, MI, October 24th, 2003
Keynote SpeakerFederal Government Defense Logistics and Information Science Department,
"Honoring Our Past, Surpassing Our Present, and Leading Our Future," Palm
Garden Room, Battle Creak, MI, September 26th, 2003
Site AdvisorAlternative Spring Break: Puerto Rico, sponsored by the Office of Service Learning, MichiganStateUniversity, E. Lansing, MI, March 1st – 8th, 2003
Keynote SpeakerLucero Project – Kickoff Celebration, LansingCommunity College, Lansing, MI, February 7th, 2003
Workshop and PerformanceIcebreaker Series, Deans Workshops on Diversity and Multicultural Sensitivity,
Deans Office of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI, November 20th, 2002
Speaker"Theater as a Way of Changing the World: A Latina Perspective," Dia de la
Mujer, 9th Annual Conference,“Minorías del Pasado,mayorías del Presente,
Conquistando el Futuro/ Minorities of the Past, Majorities of the Future,
Conquerors of the Future,” Kellogg Center, Michigan State University,
Lansing,MI, Feb 16th, 2002
Artist in Residence“Artists Residencies and Teachers, Using the Arts in Other Subjects, and On the Web,” Eisenhower Teacher Development Grant, Western International High School, Detroit, MI; Pattengill MiddleSchool, Lansing, MI, Red Cedar Elementary, E. Lansing, twenty-fourhour long sessions, March 2001, twenty-four hour long sessionsJanuary 2002
Spanish InstructorUpward Bound Project, MichiganStateUniversity, July – August, 1997,
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2006
Movement InstructorTheatrix 2000, High School Performing Arts Workshop, Michigan
StateUniversity, E. Lansing, MI, June 22nd, 2000
Artist In ResidenceHIV Prevention Performing Arts – Vida / Sida, A Project of the
Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Chicago, Illinois, March 6-10, 2000
Mime Instructor Theatrix 1999, High School Performing Arts Workshop, Michigan
StateUniversity, E. Lansing, MI, June 15 – 28th, 1999
Spanish InstructorEast Lansing Recreation and Arts, E. Lansing, MI, Fall 1998, 1999
Assistant to the DirectressThe Montessori Center of E. Lansing, Beech St. E.Lansing, MI August,
1997-June 1998
Marcel Marceau PreviewWhartonCenter for the Performing Arts, MichiganStateUniversity, E.
Lansing, Feb. 20th, 1998
Drama Instructor“Drama in Action: Program, the King-Chavez-ParksCollege Day “Yo
Puedo” Retreat, GrandValleyStateUniversity, July 1997, July 1998
InstructorMigrant Youth Outreach Camp, LansingCommunity College, Summer 1997,
Summer 1998
Spanish InstructorCourse integrating the teaching of Spanish with theater and mime
(preschool, kindergarten, and elementary grades), MontessoriCenter,
E. Lansing, MI, 1995-99
Simulated PatientDoctor/Patient Relationship course, College of Osteopathic Medicine, M.S.U.,
Nov. 1995-present, College of Human Medicine, M.S.U., Dec. 1996-present
Drama TeacherBoarsheadLansingMiddle School Drama Festival, May, 1995 Boarshead
Theater for Youth and the Lansing Housing Commission Project, March 1995
Boarshead Young People's Theater Workshop, Feb. 1993
Artist In ResidenceFine Arts Mini-Course Program sponsored by Centro Cultural Cimarron
at RobertoClementeCommunityAcademy, Chicago, IL, Jan. 1995
Instructor of MimeLansingCommunity College, Department of Theater, Lansing MI, 1987-1991
AIDS Educator CoordinatorBlack Child and Family Institute, Lansing MI, 1989-1991
Performing Arts TeacherMinority Performing Arts Program sponsored by the Black Child and Family
Institute of Lansing and Lansing Links, Inc., 1989-90
Mime TeacherEvening College\Lifelong Learning, MichiganStateUniversity, LansingMI,
Winter,1990
Artist in Residence University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Feb 19- March 11, 1989
Educational Mime Residency"Intensive Mime Residency with the Hearing Impaired," sponsored by a
grant from the State of Michigan through the LansingPublic School, April 1988 District, April 1988
CharlaCharla Series: "Teatro Latino Americano", The Center for Latin American and
Caribbean Studies, MichiganStateUniversity, May 18, 1988
Workshop in MimeKrannertCenter for the Performing Arts, Urbana-Champaign, IL, April 1987
Teaching AssistantMichiganStateUniversity, Department of Theater, E.Lansing MI, 1985-86
ACTING EXPERIENCE: THEATER
Oedipus TyrannusJocastaMichigan Theater Company,L.C.C., 1989
The Trojan WomenCassandraL.C.C. Summer Festival, 1989
The History of Troilus and CressidaCassandraL.C.C. Summer Festival, 1989
Miss Margarida's WayMiss MargaridaThe House Theater, Urbana, Il, 1987
The Death and the King's HorsemanIyalojaMichiganStateUniversity, 1986
Zooman and the SignGraceMichiganStateUniversity, 1985
Six Characters in Search of an Author Madam PaceMichiganStateUniversity, 1985
Baby with the BathwaterCynthia, KateMichiganStateUniversity, 1985
Les Belles SoeursMarie-AngelMichiganStateUniversity, 1984
Los Pajaros se van con la MuerteDaughterCorral de la Cruz, San Juan Puerto Rico, 1983
MacbethWitch, BanquoCorral de la Cruz, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1983
The CrucibleRebecca NurseUniversity of Puerto Rico, 1982
Brujilla Cara de PapaWitch, BrujillaCorral de la Cruz, San Juan,Puerto Rico, 1982
Casa con Dos PuertasSylviaUniversity of Puerto Rico, 1981
Trojan WomenAndromacheUniversity of Puerto Rico, 1980
ACTING EXPERIENCE: DRAMAS IN MIME
With the Professional Mime Group Toured colleges, universities, and communities throughout
"Taller de Histriones," directed Puerto Rico, and performed at Puerto Rican theater festivals
by Gilda Navarra 1980-83
Atibon-Ogu-Erzuli Choreodrama of African Caribbean myths based on "Loas" by Antonio
T. Diaz-Arroyo. Music: Emmanuel Logroño
Ocho MujeresMime drama based on "La Casa de Bernarda Alba" by Federico García
Lorca. Character: Daughter; Music: Hector Villa-Lobos
AsintotaMime drama based on "La Divina Comedia," by Dante Alighieri. Music:
Luciano Berio
La Mujer del AbanicoMime drama based on a traditional Japanese Legend, with text by
Yukio Mishima. Character: Mama Geisha; Music: Japanese folk music
Tocata Para PercusionMime drama based on the music composition "Tocata Para Percusion,"
Character: Timpani; Music: Carlos Chávez
Abelardo y EloisaMime drama based on "The Letters of Abelard and Eloise." Character: Nun;
Music: Carl Orff
ACTING EXPERIENCE: SOLO MIME AND THEATER PERFORMANCES
Is This LimboCinco de Mayo Recognition Gala Dinner, Sponsored by the Nueva Opinion
Newspaper, Battle Creek Area Chamber Foudation, Battle Creek, MI, May 5th,
2006
OlivetCollege, sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Education, Tuesday,
September 21st, 2004
La Voz Latina Organization, University of Michigan, Office of Multi-Ethnic
Student Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI, November 22nd, 2003
Puerto Rican Student Association, McDonel Kiva, Michigan State University,
November 18th, 2003
Latino / Hispanic Month Celebrations, River Terrace Dining Room, W.K. Kellogg
Foundation, Battle Creek, MI, October 14th, 2003
Master of Ceremonies and Performer, Latino Culture Show 2003, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, March 29th, 2003
Hispanic Heritage Series, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, University of
Michigan, Pendleton Room, UnionBuilding, Ann Arbor, MI, April 14th, 2003
"Mosaico Cultural Latino", 2002 Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Creole Gallery,
Lansing, MI, September 14th and 21st, 2002
Miss Margarida’s Way“Café Teatro 2000,” Julia De Burgos Cultural Education Center, Cleveland,
Is This Limbo?Ohio, Mar. 25th, 2000
BBQ BarbieInternational Women’s Day Celebration, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Museum of
Puerto Rican History and Culture, Chicago, IL, Mar. 8th, 2000
Hispanic Studies Colloquia Series, Department of Romance & Classical
Languages, MichiganStateUniversity, Nov. 9th, 1999
“Friday Forum: Using Art to See and Change the World,” University YMCA,
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, Oct. 23rd, 1998
BBQ BarbieMichiganStateUniversity, Puerto Rican Culture Week, November
Is This Limbo?17th, 1998
DesvelosIn Celebration of the Hispanic Month, OlivetCollege, Olivet, MI,
Sept. 29, 1997
Don’t You Think SoAmerican Society of Cybernetics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
March, 1997
Don’t You Think SoLa Casa Cultural Latina, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
Miss Margarida’s WayUrbana, IL, March 1997
DesvelosPuerto Rican Cultural Week, Kellogg Center, Michigan State University,
E. Lansing, MI, Nov. 15th, 1996
Don’t You Think SoDia de la Mujer, 4th Annual Conference, “Avanzando y no Olvidando /
Advancing and Not Forgetting,” Kellogg Center, Michigan State University,
E. LansingMI, Feb. 21, 1997
Miniatures No. 4, 6, 1 fromDia de la Mujer, 3rd Annual Conference, "Poder, Unidad y Avance /
'Spiks' by Pedro Juan Soto; CalendarEmpowerment, Unity, and Advancement, Kellogg Center, Michigan State
Front and BackUniversity, E. Lansing , Michigan, Feb. 16th,1996
Synopsis: A Woman's RecitalWhiteStreetArtsCenter, Champaign, IL, Spring 1993
Synopsis: A Woman's RecitalThe Juan Antonio Corretjer Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Chicago, IL, Spring
(excerpts)1993
"In Celebration of Latina and Latino Students on Campus," coordinated by
La Fuerza, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, Spring
1993
Salsa StereotypesIn Celebration of the Mexican American Prints from Los Angeles Exhibit,
Kresge Art Museum, Michigan State University, October 11, 1992
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, Spring 1989
The TripMusicBuilding Auditorium, MichiganStateUniversity, Nov. 7, 1992
Theater as a Literary GenreKing-Chávez-Parks Summer Institute, Multicultural Arts Program,
And A Literary Genre as TheaterOffice Minority Affairs, University of Michigan, Ann ArborMI, June 1990
Society and You King-Chávez-Parks Summer Institute
Multicultural Arts Programs, Office of Minority Affairs,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, June 1989
LansingAdultEducationCenter, Spring 1989
Retreat for the Region 13, Substance Abuse Prevention, Education,
and Health Promotion Program, EatonIntermediateSchool
District, Charlotte MI, April 1989
Matar el TiempoElectronic and Computer Music Concert, MichiganStateUniversity,
Spring 1989
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, Spring 1989
Mime DemonstrationOpening Ceremony of the Biomechanics Evaluation Laboratory,
St. Lawrence Hospital, Fall 1989
The MediumNational Conference of the American Society for Cybernetics, Victoria British Columbia, Canada, June 1988
This is MimeMartin Luther King-Rosa Parks College Day Programs, Michigan State University, Fairchild Theater, May 1987
Artales Program, Michigan State University, KresgeArt Museum, Spring
1987
HenryHNorthElementary School, LansingMI, Spring 1987, and in other
public schools in Michigan
I Have a SpaceNew Arena Theater, MichiganStateUniversity, Spring 1986
The PercussionThe Third Annual Benefit International Dinner, Kellogg Center, Michigan
StateUniversity, April 1984
The Gift of LifeBarney Rosenberg Honorary Dinner, MSU Foundation, Board of Directors
Dinner, University Club, MichiganStateUniversity, December 1984
ACTING EXPERIENCE: TELEVISION, VIDEO
Video:A Beginning, an ExperimentProduced Mbanefo-Walton-Corbeille Productions, Michigan
in Movement.StateUniversity, Department of Telecommunications, 1987
A Scene: the Maltese FalconProduced by Phil Hoppersberger and Ethan Wohs and Advanced Studio Productions, Character: Spy MichiganStateUniversity, Department of
Telecommunications, 1986
T.V. Commercials:Kitchen WonderProduced by Televicentro Films, Canal 4, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, 1983
Golden Skillet
T.V. Program: Mirador PuertorriqueñoProduced by Canal 6, Taller Histriones Performance, San Juan, Puerto
Rico, 1981
Caribbean NightsProduced and Directed by Judy Gordon and Carlos Conde, Canal 5, a Taller
Histriones Performance, San JuanPuerto Rico, 1981
T.V. Commercial:Esta es mi EscuelaProduced by Joe Franco Company for the Office of Youth Development, Canal
6, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1981
DIRECTING AND CHOREOGRAPHY
”The Monster” -- A Children’s PlayMovement Specialist, play written by Jeffrey Herman, produced by the
Purple Rose Theater Company, Chelsea, MI, August 1997
Only You and MeChoreographer and movement specialist, a play written by Kim Carney,
produced by Purple Rose Theater Company, Chelsea, MI, Jan. 1995
Partying with Death andPerformed throughout Mid-Michigan through the Black Child and
AIDS Children's playFamily Institute, Lansing MI, 1989-91
The Me Nobody Knows (excerpts)Black Child and Family Institute and Lansing/ E. Lansing chapter
The Monkey Without a Tailof Links, Inc., Fall, 1990
Moving VoicesStudio Mime Performances, LansingCommunity College, LansingMI,
Commedia dell 'Arte:1988-90
A Contemporary Version
PerspectivesStudio Mime Performances, LansingCommunity College, LansingMI,
The Process: Yours and Mime1988-90
IonizationDance Repertory Company, MichiganStateUniversity, E. LansingMI, Winter 1986
WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS ATTENDED
Lincoln Center Institute National Educator Workshops, May 1st-4th, Michigan State University, May 21-24, Michigan State University, June 19- 23, Kalamazoo RESA, 2006
XXVI International Congress of the Latin American Studies Association; "Decentering Latin American Studies", San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 15-18, 2006
Guillermo Gomez-Pena – Performance Workshop, Wharton Center, Michigan State University, November 14, 2005
Dia de la Mujer, 9th Annual Conference, “Minorias del Pasado,Mayorías del Presente, Conquistando el Futuro/ Minorities of the Past, Majorities of the Future, Conquerors of the Future,” Kellog Center, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, Feb 16th, 2002
Artes Unidas, A Latino Arts Forum, Michigan Arts Coalition for Latino Arts, Michigan State University, March 2000, Christo Rey Community Center, March 2001, E. Lansing, MI
Dia de la Mujer, 7th Annual Conference, “Conquistando el nuevo milenio / Conquering the New Millennium,” Speaker in Panel on Bi-Racial Relationships, Kellog Center, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, Feb 26th, 2000
Mime Seminar offered by Stefan Niedzialkowski at LansingCommunity College, Lansing, MI, August 30th – September 3rd, 1999
Dia de la Mujer, 4th Annual Conference, “Avanzando y No Olvidando / Advancing and Not Forgetting,” Kellogg
Center, MichiganStateUniversity, E. Lansing, Michigan, Feb. 16th, 1997
Dia de la Mujer, 3rd Annual Conference, "Poder, Unidad y Avance / Empowerment, Unity, and Advancement,” Kellogg Center, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, Michigan, Feb 16th, 1996
Creative Drama Workshop "Installation in Motion" by Rosa Luisa Marquez and Antonio Martorell, M.S.U. Kellogg Center, October 30, 1992
Workshop offered through the Red Cross, Mid-Michigan Chapter, "Certification: AIDS Education for African Americans," certified as an American and African-American AIDS instructor, 1991
Bureau of Laboratory and Epidemiological Services, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Training Seminar, Michigan Department of Public Health, LansingMI, Dec. 1991
Special Office on AIDS Prevention Counseling and Testing Training Seminar, Michigan Department of Public Health, Lansing MI, November - December, 1991
American Society of Cybernetics, Virginia Beach Virginia-1989; University of Victoria, B.C., Canada-June 1988; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL-Dec. 1987
Spring Summer Acting Workshop with Douglas Campbell, LansingCommunity College, 1989
First, Fourth and Fifth Annual Marcel Marceau Seminars of Mime with Marcel Marceau, and Stefan Niedzialkowski
(respectively), at the Marcel Marceau World Center for Mime, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Summers 1984, 1987, 1988.
FortBurgwinResearchCenter, Intensive Choreography Seminar, TaosNew Mexico, June 9-28 1986
Popular Latin American Theater Seminar with Augusto Boal, Centro de Bellas Artes, San Juan Puerto Rico, Summer 1981
COMPANY MEMBERSHIPS
Michigan Theater Company, LansingCommunity College, Lansing MI, 1989-90
Performing Arts Company, MichiganStateUniversity, E. Lansing, MI, 1985-86
Dance Repertory Company, MichiganStateUniversity, E. Lansing MI, 1986-87
Tablazos Theater Company, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, 1980-81
Teatro Rodante Universitario, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, 1980-83
Taller de Histriones (Workshop of Histrionics), San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1980-83
AWARDS
Best Supporting Actress for "Witch" in Macbeth, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1983
Special Acting Award for "Menciguela" in El Paso de las Aceitunas, Sixth Golden Age Drama Festival at Chamizal
National Memorial, El PasoTX, 1981