Barry University Associate Professor of Theatre Elena Maria Garcia has been recognized with Carbonell’s Bill Hindman Award for onstage career achievement.

An actress, educator, playwright and director, Garcia has made a lasting impact on South Florida theatre through her work across comedies and dramas. Her performances and original works often incorporate Hispanic perspectives, including her one-woman productions Fuácata! (Or a Latina’s Guide to Surviving the Universe), Do You Speak Mexican? and Cuban Soups When There’s No More Café.

Garcia has also collaborated with solo artists as a creator, writer and director and helped establish South Florida’s first all-female improv troupe. She later created the improv troupe Separate Checks and expanded her work to the screen, appearing in national commercials and films.

Director Stuart Meltzer praised Garcia for her ability to create memorable characters through thoughtful physical work and emotional depth, while using humor to explore serious subjects.

Garcia is a four-time recipient of both the Carbonell Award and the Silver Palm Award and continues to bring her experience as a performing artist and theatre-maker into the classroom at Barry University.

Garcia will receive the award at the 49th annual Carbonell Awards ceremony later this year in Boca Raton. To read the full announcement, please click here.