About

Natividad (Nati, she/they/ella/elle) currently serves as an Artistic Director for Eclectic Full Contact Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. She has directed plays for many companies and festivals nationally as well as internationally-- including Creede Repertory Theatre, Tipping Point Theatre, One Year Lease Theater Company, Cleveland Public Theatre (w/Teatro Publico de Cleveland), Stage Left Theatre, and, of course, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre. Nati has had the pleasure of directing in virtual formats as well, including podcast original audio dramas: Monocyte and My European Love for Eclectic Audio Podcast Network. Since she graduated with her BA in Theatre (acting scholarship, directing thesis) in 2011, she has been nominated for a Wilde Award for Best Ensemble work and the winner of the 2012 BoxFest Detroit Director’s Educational Grant, which enabled her to attend a directing apprenticeship program in Greece. Nati has also served as an acting, directing, and theatre history instructor for students from preschool through the university level. In addition, she has written and devised original bilingual works based on her cultural roots. Nati has worked for many theatre companies operationally in executive artistic direction, marketing, audience engagement, patron services, and producing. Nati also has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a certified specialization in counseling children and adolescents from The Graduate School at Northwestern University and currently works as a Licensed Professional Counselor for children, teens, and adults individually as well as groups in Chicago. Through her art of storytelling, this proud, queer, Latine mama works to lend voice to those without representation, prioritizing members of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and systemically marginalized communities. It is also just as important for her to direct scripts that bring awareness to mental health challenges and social justice issues. Nati dedicates her art to her partner, family, community, and the favorite part of her heart: her son.