A Landmark Year of Celebrations, Festivals, Family Favorites, World Premieres,
and the Company’s First-Ever Gala Honoring the Miranda Family
NEW YORK, NY — Teatro SEA, the nation’s leading Latino theater for young audiences, proudly announces its 40th Anniversary SEAson (2026–2027), celebrating four decades of artistic excellence, cultural leadership, and service to generations of children and families.
The anniversary season also marks the highly anticipated reopening of Teatro SEA’s mainstage at The Clemente Center after more than two and a half years of closure during the building’s extensive renovation and modernization project. The reopening symbolizes a new chapter for both Teatro SEA and The Clemente, one of New York City’s most important Puerto Rican and Latino cultural institutions.
“This season is much more than an anniversary—it is a homecoming. For the first time in more than two and a half years, we will once again raise the curtain in our main stage inside the beautifully renovated Clemente Center. We are returning home with renewed energy, exciting new productions, and an unwavering commitment to serving our community through the transformative power of the arts. As we celebrate 40 years of Teatro SEA, we honor our past while investing boldly in the future of Latino theater and the next generation of audiences.”
— Dr. Manuel A. Morán, Founder and Artistic Director of Teatro SEA
The season launches with the long-awaited return of the International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC and continues with a year-long lineup of productions, festivals, and special events that celebrate Teatro SEA’s rich history while looking boldly toward the future.
A highlight of the season will be Teatro SEA’s First-Ever 40th Anniversary Gala on October 8, 2026, at Trinity Church Wall Street, honoring the Miranda Family—including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis Miranda Jr., and their family—for their extraordinary contributions to the arts, education, cultural advocacy, and the Puerto Rican community.
The celebration will continue in Puerto Rico with a second 40th Anniversary Gala on December 19, 2026, recognizing Teatro SEA’s enduring artistic legacy on the Island where the company’s journey first began.
The season will feature the return of some of Teatro SEA’s most beloved productions, including Viva Pinocho, Ricitos and the Three Bears, The Galapagos Animal Convention, and Martina, The Little Roach, while also introducing audiences to The Drop-Outs Crew, a revival of the educational production that reflects the company’s continued commitment to creating engaging theater that entertains, educates, and inspires young audiences.
The company will also present the World Premiere of Telenovela Dreams, a new original musical years in development by Manuel A. Morán, Jaime Lozano, and Manuel Calzada. Inspired by the passion, humor, music, and larger-than-life characters of Latin American telenovelas, the production represents one of Teatro SEA’s most ambitious original works and serves as the centerpiece of the anniversary season.
Another major highlight will be the United States Premiere of Los Monstruos, the acclaimed Argentine chamber musical by Emiliano Dionisi with music by Martín Rodríguez. Winner of Argentina’s prestigious Hugo de Oro Award for Best Musical, the work explores with dark humor and emotional honesty the social pressures, fears, and extraordinary lengths to which parents will go to protect their children. The production will be directed by Martín Chamorro.
Both Telenovela Dreams and Los Monstruos are part of El Musical, Teatro SEA’s recently launched initiative dedicated to the development, investment, production, and promotion of new Latino musical theater works. Through artistic incubation, readings, workshops, and full productions, El Musical seeks to expand opportunities for Latiné musical theater creators and bring new voices to audiences across the United States.
In addition to its theatrical productions, Teatro SEA’s anniversary celebration will include many of its signature annual events, including the International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC, BORIMIX Festival, Hispanic Federation’s El Barrio Film Festival, Three Kings Day Festival, and the company’s MicroTheater Series.
Over the past forty years, Teatro SEA has become an internationally recognized leader in bilingual theater, puppetry, arts education, publishing, and cultural exchange. The organization has served more than one million children, youth, families, educators, and community members through its productions, educational programs, festivals, workshops, publications, and digital initiatives. Today, Teatro SEA continues to inspire new generations through the power of storytelling while celebrating the richness of Latino cultures.
40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON AT A GLANCE
August 12–16, 2026
International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC
Five days celebrating the art of puppetry with artists, performances, workshops, exhibitions, and special events from around the world.
October 8, 2026
Teatro SEA’s 40th Anniversary Gala
Trinity Church Wall Street — Honoring the Miranda Family for their extraordinary contributions to the arts, education, and the Puerto Rican community.
August 13 – December 5, 2026
Viva Pinocchio
Teatro SEA’s award-winning musical follows a young immigrant’s heartfelt journey of identity, heritage, and belonging.
November 15–20, 2026
BORIMIX Festival
Teatro SEA’s annual celebration of Puerto Rican arts, culture, music, theater, and community.
November 19, 2026
BORIMIX Awards
Recognizing outstanding artists and cultural leaders for their contributions to Puerto Rican arts and culture.
December 11–12, 2026
Hispanic Federation’s El Barrio Children’s Film Festival
A two-day celebration of Latino films and filmmakers for young audiences.
December 19, 2026
Teatro SEA’s 40th Anniversary Gala – Puerto Rico
A special celebration in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, honoring the place where Teatro SEA’s story began.
January 6, 2027
Three Kings Day Festival
One of New York City’s longest-running Puerto Rican holiday traditions, bringing together thousands of children and families.
January 16 & 23, 2027
The Drop-Outs Crew
Teatro SEA’s acclaimed musical empowers teens to stay in school by exploring the real-life choices and challenges facing today’s youth.
January 30 – February 27, 2027
Ricitos and the Three Bears
A lively bilingual adaptation of the classic tale, filled with Latin flavor, music, puppetry, and a delicious Dominican sancocho.
March 5–14, 2027
MicroTheater Series
A collection of original short plays showcasing emerging Latiné theater artists.
March 19 – May 16, 2027
World Premiere – Telenovela Dreams
An original musical celebrating the romance, humor, and drama of Latin American telenovelas.
April 3 – May 15, 2027
The Galapagos Animal Convention
A fun-filled musical adventure where the animals of the Galápagos unite with children to protect our planet.
April 9 – May 9, 2027
U.S. Premiere – Los Monstruos
The Hugo de Oro Award-winning Argentine chamber musical explores the extraordinary lengths parents will go to protect their children.
May 22 – June 19, 2027
Martina, The Little Roach
A bilingual Latin rock-and-roll musical based on the beloved Cuban and Puerto Rican folktale about kindness, courage, and finding true love.
The 40th Anniversary SEAson includes 48 mainstage performances and 24 festival and special event days, making it one of the most ambitious and exciting seasons in Teatro SEA’s history.
Tickets will be released soon.
