Nelson Diaz-Marcano

Nelson Diaz-Marcano

Nelson Diaz-Marcano is a Puerto Rican playwright based in New York City. Nelson's main artistic mission is to raise awareness about the contrasting cultures that form the communities of this nation and in doing so, explore how they all fit together in the American experiment. His plays have been developed by Milagro Theatre, the William Inge Theatre Festival, Wordsmyth, Classical Theatre of Harlem, and The...
Nelson Diaz-Marcano is a Puerto Rican playwright based in New York City. Nelson's main artistic mission is to raise awareness about the contrasting cultures that form the communities of this nation and in doing so, explore how they all fit together in the American experiment. His plays have been developed by Milagro Theatre, the William Inge Theatre Festival, Wordsmyth, Classical Theatre of Harlem, and The Parsnip Ship among others. His work has received awards from the Samuel French OOB FEstival (“Rabiosa”,) the Fresh Fruit Festival (The Diplomats,now published by OWP) and the Downtown Urban Arts Festival (Radical.) Other recent credits include: “Paper Towels” (Intar,) “I Saw Jesus in Toa Baja” (William Inge Theatre Festival,) “World Classic” (Ingenio Milagro 2018, The Parsnip Ship,) “Revolt” (World Premiere - Vision Latino Theatre Company,) “El Yunque in English” (Citi Theatre Shorts Finalist,) “Into The River I Went” (Step 1 Theatre Project) and “Prison Song” (Downtown Urban Arts Festival 2013.) ndmstrikes.com

Plays

  • MISFIT, AMERICA by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 23
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: LGBTQ, spirituality + 8 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, mystery/thriller, tragedy
    Keyword: LGBTQ, spirituality, Latine, Native American, Neo-Western, diversity, intersectionality, diverse cast, intergenerational conflicts, reclamation
    FULL LENGTH: Combining the magical realistic influences of Latin American literature with the Western genre popularized in the twentieth century, “Misfit, America” follows a diverse community led by an interracial couple as they are forced to protect a Native American teen from a brotherhood of supremacists. But before they can fight, they must become at peace with their past and learn to trust the future on...
    FULL LENGTH: Combining the magical realistic influences of Latin American literature with the Western genre popularized in the twentieth century, “Misfit, America” follows a diverse community led by an interracial couple as they are forced to protect a Native American teen from a brotherhood of supremacists. But before they can fight, they must become at peace with their past and learn to trust the future on each other. Living on the outskirts of the last free place in America, this band of misfits must prepare to give it all or run
  • 1898 or How Sugar Conquered The Enchantment by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: horror, period
    ·
    Keyword: Cosmic Horror, Latine + 7 more
    Genre: horror, period
    Keyword: Cosmic Horror, Latine, Historical play, Strong Female Characters, Afro-horror, romance, Sexy plays, puerto rico, Puerto Rican roots
    Full Lengths: As Puerto Rico goes from being a Spanish colony to a US territory, the promise of independence seems to be within grasp, and nobody is more excited to welcome the USA than the Suarez family. Owners of a small Coffee plantation, the family is even more thrilled when an American investor takes interest in their land promising riches they never had. But as soon as he arrives things start falling...
    Full Lengths: As Puerto Rico goes from being a Spanish colony to a US territory, the promise of independence seems to be within grasp, and nobody is more excited to welcome the USA than the Suarez family. Owners of a small Coffee plantation, the family is even more thrilled when an American investor takes interest in their land promising riches they never had. But as soon as he arrives things start falling apart, and strange dreams haunt the family threatening their land, identity and sanity.

    *This play is in easy developments.
  • WORLD CLASSIC by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 17
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: drama, melodrama
    ·
    Keyword: Latino, puerto rico + 1 more
    Genre: drama, melodrama
    Keyword: Latino, puerto rico, Immigrants
    FULL LENGTH: “World Classic” is what happens when you take the quintessential American domestic drama away from white suburbia. It explores the identity issues created by assimilation through the eyes of two generations of an immigrant family. Like “The Humans” or “August Osage County” before it, it all takes place during one night, but unlike them, this play focus on those that had to sacrifice their homeland...
    FULL LENGTH: “World Classic” is what happens when you take the quintessential American domestic drama away from white suburbia. It explores the identity issues created by assimilation through the eyes of two generations of an immigrant family. Like “The Humans” or “August Osage County” before it, it all takes place during one night, but unlike them, this play focus on those that had to sacrifice their homeland and in the process, compromise their heritage.

  • WHEN THE EARTH MOVES, WE DANCE by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 7
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    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: adventure, docudrama/historic + 3 more
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    Keyword: puerto rico, folk tales + 4 more
    Genre: adventure, docudrama/historic, fable/folktale, fantasy, political
    Keyword: puerto rico, folk tales, Adventure/Fantasy, LBGTQ, US imperialism, ancient gods
    FULL LENGTH: At the beginning there was nothing in the Caribbean, then prakata y fuakata, Atabey created Puerto Rico. But that was then, now Atabey is missing, Puerto Rico is dying, and Pepito can’t find the perfect beat for his song. That’s why Rosa was woken up by the spirits with a mission, find the creator, save the island. Join Rosa and a ragtag group of Boricua folktale characters as they venture into the...
    FULL LENGTH: At the beginning there was nothing in the Caribbean, then prakata y fuakata, Atabey created Puerto Rico. But that was then, now Atabey is missing, Puerto Rico is dying, and Pepito can’t find the perfect beat for his song. That’s why Rosa was woken up by the spirits with a mission, find the creator, save the island. Join Rosa and a ragtag group of Boricua folktale characters as they venture into the magical lands of Puerto RIco and New York City hoping to give their home a fighting chance against an evil like no other.

    *The play is on an early draft. The play is being developed by Clubbed Thumb and the Latinx Playwright Circle
  • Y TU ABUELA, WHERE IS SHE? Part 1: Cuando Me Muera by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: drama, fantasy + 1 more
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    Keyword: Latinx, interracial + 7 more
    Genre: drama, fantasy, science fiction
    Keyword: Latinx, interracial, Colorism, grief, ancestors, magical realism, lgbtqia, A Family drama, alcoholism
    FULL LENGTH: An interracial couple is accepted into a new program which lets them alter the genes of their kid before it's born. Their excitement about the prospects of their offspring's future hides the fact they are estranged at the moment, until they get stuck on one question, what color should the child be? As they navigate this question, bigger concerns arise and divine intervention may be needed...
    FULL LENGTH: An interracial couple is accepted into a new program which lets them alter the genes of their kid before it's born. Their excitement about the prospects of their offspring's future hides the fact they are estranged at the moment, until they get stuck on one question, what color should the child be? As they navigate this question, bigger concerns arise and divine intervention may be needed for a whole family to survive.

    *In Development to be a Two-Part Play
  • REVOLT! by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    7–8
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: puerto rico, Latinx + 5 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama, political, tragedy
    Keyword: puerto rico, Latinx, History, American history, Neo-Colonialism, revolution, Politics
    FULL LENGTH: Once he was a young boy getting lost in the cane fields. Soon after he was a teenager wanting to protect his family. Then he became an adult fighting for his identity. Now, Don Quique has grown old and there’s only one path for him; revenge! This is the story of Puerto Rico as told by a woman trying to explain its history the only way it survived, by telling the history of its people.
  • The Diplomats by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 13
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: friendship, feminism + 6 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    Keyword: friendship, feminism, LGBTQ, Latinx, white privilege, Fake news, cultural diversity, contemporary New York City
    FULL LENGTH: A few days before election night 2016, close friends Annie and Carlos are reunited in her small Astoria apartment during his first visit to New York since he moved to be with his husband in Florida. At first, it seems their relationship hasn't changed. That is until Carlos brings an unexpected guest; Annie's old best and estranged friend Gary. Throughout the course of the night they learn...
    FULL LENGTH: A few days before election night 2016, close friends Annie and Carlos are reunited in her small Astoria apartment during his first visit to New York since he moved to be with his husband in Florida. At first, it seems their relationship hasn't changed. That is until Carlos brings an unexpected guest; Annie's old best and estranged friend Gary. Throughout the course of the night they learn that while they may not have changed much as people, society has. Now they have to confront each other in a whole new reality and their relationships may never be the same.
  • Into The River I Went by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 18
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Toxic Masculinity, rape culture + 6 more
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale, horror
    Keyword: Toxic Masculinity, rape culture, revenge, Latinx experience, American Racism, classism, horror, magical realism/supernatural
    FULL-LENGTH: In this revenge horror thriller, a blooming relationship reignites a lifetime rivalry between two women who have been pitted against each other since the day they met by class, culture, and gender expectations. Now as they are forced to meet again, they find themselves stalked by a violent Beast that means to destroy everything. Can they come to an understanding in time and team up to fight or will they fall prey to the Beast?
  • WAITING FOR GUAGUANCO by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 1 more
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    Keyword: Strong Female Characters, great roles for Latine/BIPOC women + 6 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, melodrama
    Keyword: Strong Female Characters, great roles for Latine/BIPOC women, one act, comedy, Caribbean, 1990's new york, Beckett, Hector Lavoe
    Two women wait for a concert that may or may not happen while feeling that they will only settle once and for all if Puerto Ricans could just start over and live on the moon. Is this an adaptation, or is it a metaphor for the everyday lives of those relocating to this land for better opportunities despite finding none?
  • Pa'Lante & Beyond by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, docudrama/historic + 2 more
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    Keyword: nonviolent protest, short + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, docudrama/historic, experimental, movement/physical
    Keyword: nonviolent protest, short, puerto rico, Decolonization
    SHORT: A 3 minute play with too much to say about how annoying protesters are, how inconvenient it is to be late, and how to walk on other people's shoes. The worse.
  • RABIOSA: An Ode to Hurricane Maria by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 9
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale + 1 more
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    Keyword: Latinx, puerto rico + 1 more
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale, fantasy
    Keyword: Latinx, puerto rico, magical realism
    SHORT: A one woman show that pits a fiery Puerto Rican woman against Hurricane Maria, as she demands for the Hurricane to give back what it took away. The battle is on, the lasso is ready, but will the island survive?
  • Paper Towels by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 13
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, tragedy
    ·
    Keyword: gun control, mass shooting + 4 more
    Genre: drama, tragedy
    Keyword: gun control, mass shooting, terrorism, puerto rico, familia, Latinx
    ONE-ACT: A man that lost everything in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico is about to attack the people of the government that left them forgotten. The only thing standing between him and this heinous act? His cousin and an echo dot.
  • I Saw Jesus in Toa Baja by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 19
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: LGBTQ, Transgender + 3 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, fable/folktale, faith-based, fantasy
    Keyword: LGBTQ, Transgender, Latinx, puerto rican, puerto rico
    ONE-ACT: Leslie, a Transgender Puerto Rican, recaps the first 60 days after a Hurricane leaves their home devastated and the meetings with a certain divine figure. This oddball comedy uses rhyme to tell the tale of a person finding hope at the darkest hour and how much power we have within.
  • El Yunque in English by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 44
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, fable/folktale + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: puerto rican, Latinx + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, fable/folktale, science fiction
    Keyword: puerto rican, Latinx, aliens, Extraterrestrials
    SHORT: A man hikes to the top of a rainforest to ask an Extraterrestrial being for a favor.
  • RADICAL by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: Latinx, Politics + 3 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: Latinx, Politics, historical drama, Chile, coup d'etat
    ONE-ACT: It is September 11, 1973 in Santiago, Chile and the government has been brutally overtaken by the military. In the midst, three strangers battle it out in a basement while chaos and paranoia drown a dying promise. Radical shows what happens to people who are left with nothing but hope. Winner of the Downtown Urban Arts Festival 2016 Best Play.
  • Prison Song by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: prison, queer + 4 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, tragedy
    Keyword: prison, queer, Black America, puerto rican, black mental health, complex trauma
    ONE-ACT: PRISON SONG is a haunting play about the complicated relationship forged between two men, as one adapts to his new life in the fantastic circus known as prison, while the other attempts to forget his past. A reflection of America and its prison system, this battle of words is an adventure about realities shared and dreams deferred.
  • HUMAN GRAFFITI by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: Latinx experience, Bronx + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: Latinx experience, Bronx, puerto rican, dominican, community
    Three women tried their best to uplift a community as gentrification and a pandemic threatened its history.
  • Xmas Special by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: holiday, short + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, holiday
    Keyword: holiday, short, consumerism, christmas
    SHORT: Everyone has their own ideas of what the holidays is all about. Some just take it upon their own hands to get the results they need.
  • Straight Card by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, melodrama
    ·
    Keyword: genderqueer, holiday + 2 more
    Genre: drama, melodrama
    Keyword: genderqueer, holiday, christmas, LGBTQ
    SHORT: Dylan has quite the gift for his cousin Dre this holiday season: He has decided he is no longer straight and is queer just like them. Can it be that simple?
  • Tiendita San Felipe (Or The Little Store That Could) by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, fable/folktale + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: puerto rico, Latinx + 2 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, fable/folktale, musical, young audiences
    Keyword: puerto rico, Latinx, Hurricane Maria, youth
    ONE-ACT: A Story teller tells the history of how a farmer and a young store owner battle evil to create an indestructible place after a sleepless boy wonders about its surviving a Category 5 Hurricane. Using musical and dance aspects, this storybook tale will transport you to a time where gods and monsters still live and were not the different than us.
  • Promised Lands by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, political + 1 more
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    Keyword: religion, America + 1 more
    Genre: drama, political, science fiction
    Keyword: religion, America, Dystopia
    SHORT: America has finally reached it peak. We are finally separated! Imagine each race has its own piece of land.... but then what about religion... or sexuality! The states have been separated and become a new country based on where you feel more comfortable. Nothing should go wrong right?... RIGHT?!
  • MAMI'S HOUSE by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, fantasy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: puerto rico, magical realism + 2 more
    Genre: dark comedy, fantasy, melodrama
    Keyword: puerto rico, magical realism, family, Mental Health
    SHORT: When a hurricane is threatening to rip apart the last connection you have to your past, its your life worth risking to save it?
  • Mother's Milk by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama
    ·
    Keyword: immigration, 1990s + 1 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama
    Keyword: immigration, 1990s, South Africa
    SHORT: An indecent proposal stands in-between A South African couple living in exile that must decide if a stable job in America is better than an uncertain future in the now free homeland they love.
  • THE COLOR WHISPERER by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, farce + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: race politics, office + 1 more
    Genre: dark comedy, farce, satire
    Keyword: race politics, office, women's rights
    Short Play: A powerful man hires a color whisperer to deal with an employee then hilarity ensues...
  • THE REAL HERO by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: Toxic Masculinity
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: Toxic Masculinity
    ONE-MINUTE PLAY: We need someone to save us from these times. Can the real hero please stand up?
  • Would You Like To See Some Comedy? by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: race relations
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: race relations
    ONE-MINUTE PLAY: A man tries to grab the attention of a passerby with a joke.
  • Between Them Ears by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
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    Keyword: intolerance, emotional violence + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, farce, satire, tragedy
    Keyword: intolerance, emotional violence, american satire, Division
    SHORT: Three clowns set up the find a great tune! But when one disagrees with the story, is up to the other two to defuse the situation.
  • The Pretenders by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: female, comedy + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: female, comedy, adult romantic comedy, road trip, LGBTQ
    SHORT: Three friends go on a Road Trip to help one get over their ex. Why Mount Rushmore though?
  • The Unspoken New York Treaty by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, melodrama + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, melodrama, movement/physical, pantomime
    A 1-Min play about the silent deals New Yorkers have about walking on the sidewalks of the city.
  • LAS BORINQUEÑAS by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    9
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: latinx women, women's rights + 5 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, period, political
    Keyword: latinx women, women's rights, 20th century history, Diverse Ensemble Cast, puerto rico, Scientific Discovery, features great roles for older women
    It’s the 1950's in Puerto Rico and María, Fernanda, Yolanda, Rosa, and Chavela are fighting to live full lives in a changing country with crushing societal rules for women. In the United States, Dr. Gregory Pincus is on the verge of perfecting a miracle that could give them freedom - if only he could find test subjects to participate in preliminary trials. This is the story of the birth control pill and...
    It’s the 1950's in Puerto Rico and María, Fernanda, Yolanda, Rosa, and Chavela are fighting to live full lives in a changing country with crushing societal rules for women. In the United States, Dr. Gregory Pincus is on the verge of perfecting a miracle that could give them freedom - if only he could find test subjects to participate in preliminary trials. This is the story of the birth control pill and the women who risked everything for the chance to live free.

    This play was commission by the Ensemble Studio Theater and the Sloan Foundation.