Mark-Eugene Garcia & Rodrigo Bolaños – Telling Latine Stories Onstage
Mark-Eugene Garcia and Rodrigo Bolaños are a married creative team whose artistic partnership is rooted in a shared passion for bringing Latine voices and stories to life onstage. Their first collaboration began in 2004, when Rodrigo performed in the workshop of With Bated Breath (then titled Up in the Air), written by Mark-Eugene. That early connection launched a creative relationship that has grown alongside their marriage—merging storytelling, direction, music, and performance.
Together, they’ve brought a number of original theatrical works to the stage:
- Eight Tales of Pedro – A folkloric celebration of Latin storytelling, directed and developed by Rodrigo and written by Mark-Eugene. It premiered at The Secret Theatre and went on to a celebrated run at Queens Theatre, earning awards and acclaim for its ensemble storytelling and cultural depth.
- The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota – A dark small-town comedy about faith, football, and finding purpose, with direction by Rodrigo and book by Mark-Eugene and music and lyrics by David and Paul Rigano.
- Goat Blood – A horror play exploring machismo, guilt, and the supernatural through a Latinx lens directed and developed by Rodrigo and written by Mark-Eugene.
- With Bated Breath – Their first project together, a surreal musical sparked by a real news item, has evolved through several developmental stages, with Rodrigo involved as a performer and later creative consultant for the play.
- Unmissed Connections – A production for the Planet Connections Theatre Festival, in ongoing development, where their shared creative vision turned a fragmented gay narrative into a communal experience.
Though they thrive when working together, both artists also maintain dynamic individual careers.
Rodrigo Bolaños is originally from El Salvador and has lived in New York City since 2006. He studied Architecture and Theatre Studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and has directed a wide range of productions from emerging works to festival premieres. A member of the Empire City Men’s Chorus, Rodrigo’s background in choral performance—starting in his childhood church choir—continues to influence his approach to theatrical rhythm and ensemble work. His directing credits also include A Figment of Manifestation (Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival.)
Mark-Eugene Garcia is a queer Chicano playwright and lyricist whose work explores identity, culture, and connection. A graduate of the City College of New York and a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writing Workshop, his plays and musicals have been produced nationally and internationally. His credits include Shining In Misery: A King-Size Parody (54 Below, Capital City Theatre), Standby (NYMF, Fringe Encores), Facing East: A New Musical (Jericho Arts Centre, Vancouver), and an appearance on Encore! with Kristen Bell on ABC, where he revisited his high school stage days.
Individually and together, Mark-Eugene and Rodrigo are dedicated to crafting work that centers Latine stories with nuance, heart, and theatricality. Their creative bond is not just a collaboration—it’s a mission.