Margarita Espada is a highly accomplished and multifaceted artist, educator, and activist. With an MFA in Dramaturgy and over 30 years of experience in the field, she has made significant contributions to theater, education, and community organizing.

As the founder and director of Teatro Experimental Yerbabuja, Espada has created a vital platform for Latinx, Black, Indigenous, and artists of color on Long Island. Her organization provides resources, opportunities, and a supportive community for artists to create, showcase their work, and engage in activism. Espada’s leadership in this endeavor has earned her widespread recognition and numerous awards, including the prestigious Martin Luther King Living Legend Award.

Espada’s influence extends beyond her artistic and organizational work. She is a respected educator, teaching theater and activism at Stony Brook University’s Department of Women’s Study. Her research and advocacy focus on the importance of arts and culture for social and economic well-being, and she is a sought-after speaker and facilitator on topics related to applied theater, culturally responsive practice, and community development.