Test Flight Part 2 – Week 2: Grandeza
Presented by Teatro Público de Cleveland
Produced by Alejandro Martinez
Written & directed by Ernesto Luna Camargo
May 29, 2025 - May 31, 2025
7pm, Thu/Fri/Sat, James Levin Theatre
Grandeza es una exploración por comedia negra de la identidad, el coraje y el peso de las expectativas culturales. Cuando un adolescente sale del clóset, descubre una verdad sorprendente: el mundo entero está atrapado en sus propios clósets, aferrándose a tradiciones que lo han moldeado y confinado. A medida que el amor familiar choca con la honestidad brutal, la lucha por la aceptación se transforma en un viaje implacable de autodescubrimiento y despertar. Adornado con humor agudo y momentos conmovedores, Grandeza nos desafía a despojarnos de viejas identidades y luchar por el respeto, la autenticidad y la grandeza en la forma en que vivimos y amamos. Realizado en español, este taller celebra las voces latinas y ofrece una poderosa reflexión sobre nuestra humanidad compartida.
Grandeza is a dark comedy exploration of identity, courage, and the weight of cultural expectations. When a teenager comes out of the closet, he uncovers a startling truth: the entire world is trapped in closets of their own, clinging to traditions that have shaped and confined them. As familial love collides with brutal honesty, the fight for acceptance transforms into an unrelenting journey of self-discovery and awakening. Laced with sharp humor and poignant moments, Grandeza challenges us to shed old identities and strive for respect, authenticity, and grandeur in how we live and love. Performed in Spanish, this workshop celebrates Latine voices and offers a powerful reflection of our shared humanity.
DIVULGACIÓN DE CONTENIDO: Grandeza presenta lenguaje fuerte y casos de homofobia.
CONTENT DISCLOSURE: Grandeza features strong language and instances of homophobia.
En español con supertítulos en inglés.
In Spanish with English supertitles.
The James Levin Theatre is ADA-compliant featuring a patron elevator and an all-gender, wheelchair-accessible restroom.
Ensemble Members:
Featuring: Miguel A. Almanzar Viñas, Nayelie M. Capeles Negrón, Alisha Caraballo, Mónica A. Cerpa Zúñiga, Jonathon Morgan, Gilberto Peña, Fernando Riselli, Neiza M. Rivera Rodriguez
The Creative Production Team Includes:
Rehearsal Stage Manager: Sylka Edmondson
Intimacy Director: Kari Barclay
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
ERNESTO LUNA CAMARGO is a founding member of Teatro Público de Cleveland and a lead artist. TPC stage credits: Cuando Cierras Your Eyes (2013); Estrella del Norte (Station Hope 2014); Vuelo del Ocean (Pandemonium 2014); A Recipe para la Vida (2014); Doña Carmella (Station Hope 2015); Mi Nombre Es (Pan @ TCG 2015); Yo Sueño of Home (Pandemonium 2015); ¿Dónde Está My Home? (2015); Uz, El Pueblo (2016); Mariel’s List (Pandemonium 2016); ¡CELEBRANDO 3 YEARS! (2016); Labio de Liebre (The Lip of the Hare) (2017); ¡OBRAS EN EVOLUCIÓN! A Festival of New Play Readings (2017); and En el Tiempo de las Mariposas / In the Time of the Butterflies (2018). Other credits include Sexual Fantasy, a short play written by Ernesto and performed with Dante Fernando Larzabal at CPT’s Pandemonium 2013. Ernesto also participated in the award-winning film, 50 Fathers, which was presented in the Cleveland International Film Festival (2015). He performed in Whisper’s Thread (Pandemonium 2018), directed by Raymond Bobgan and Faye Hargate. He is a baker, writer, actor, costumer, and make-up artist, specializing in horror costumes. Coming from a family of artists, he studied theatre and film in Montevideo, Uruguay and has lived in the US since 2002.
ABOUT THE CO-PRODUCER
ALEJANDRO MARTINEZ JR. is an actor, dancer, and administrative powerhouse with a versatile background in technical theatre. After an eight-year hiatus from performing, Alejandro returned to the stage in 2023, joining Teatro Publico de Cleveland. Alejandro contributed to Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2024 Test Flight series as technical theatre support, specializing in sound, set design, and costumes for How to Live in a House on Fire. Previously, Alejandro produced two iterations of Carnaval, an annual Latin cultural showcase at Washington University in St. Louis. As a performer, Alejandro has been on stages at Cleveland Public Theatre, Dobama Theatre, and convergence-continuum, participating in various playwriting workshops and festivals. Beyond the stage, Alejandro is a bilingual psychotherapist, passionately serving queer and Latine communities.
ABOUT TEATRO PÚBLICO DE CLEVELAND
Teatro Público de Cleveland is a collective of Latino theatre artists and produces performances that preserve and promote the cultures of Cleveland Latinos for Spanish-speaking audiences and the broader public. TPC’s spring show, selected by the company, seeks to connect with Latino and non-Latino audiences in a powerful experience of cross-cultural work.
In 2013, Cleveland Public Theatre launched Teatro Público de Cleveland (TPC), a local Latinx theatre company, whose work reflects the artistic goals, interests, and ideals of its members. The purpose of this theatre ensemble is to share the rich diversity and perspectives of the Latinx-Cleveland culture, and to fulfill CPT’s core mission.
ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Free Bev Friday – Every Friday night at CPT is Free Bev Friday. Free beer, wine, ready-to-drink cocktails and soft drinks are served after the performance for about an hour. Join the staff and artists of CPT, talk about the show, and have a drink on us. And remember, hot beverages like coffee and tea are always complimentary at CPT performances. (Please note: While liquor used in mixed drinks will not be complimentary, the mixer will be discounted from your total.)
ABOUT TEST FLIGHT
TEST FLIGHT (Part 2)
A New Play Development Program
May 22–June 7, 2025
Test Flight is a multi-week series that showcases new work on its way to full production. This popular event provides local and national artists with the keys to the theatre and opportunity to co-produce original works-in-progress. The series encourages risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit towards creating.
Recent successes include Showin’ Up Black by Jeanne Madison (Feb. 2025), Our Lady of Common Sorrows (Fall 2023), Alter by Tania Benites (Feb. 2024). Each of these were developed in Test Flight.
