
Tori and Mabelle talk with Dominican-American playwright, screenwriter, and director Marco Antonio Rodriguez, whose unconventional path took him from New York to Florida and Dallas, with a boost from Carmen Rivera and a pivotal reading with the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre led by Miriam Colón. The conversation traces how writing in Spanish—once something he resisted—ultimately opened the doors to The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and productions at Repertorio Español, The Goodman, and The Old Globe. Marco shares hard-earned wisdom about wearing many hats and trusting collaborators. He reminds us that show business is, above all, a business—one that demands grace, flexibility, and integrity, and a deep respect for the collaborative process of making theater.