Irene Sofia Lucio stops by to discuss the journey from being a shy kid in Puerto Rico who had to force herself to raise her hand to starring in some of the most provocative plays on Broadway. She opens up about the intersection of motherhood and art, explaining how becoming a parent shifted her relationship with her body and why creative teams led by mothers are simply more efficient. We also dig into the "white passing" label she carried for years and how she finally decided to fully reclaim her Latinx identity and name in an industry that loves to categorize.
We get into the specifics of her current role in Liberation, including the decision to wear a custom golden armor bust of her own body for opening night and the unique power of performing a nude scene while her father is in the audience. Irene shares how the play explores the history of women's liberation and why physical vulnerability on stage creates a "force field" of safety with her castmates. It is a candid look at how the political climate impacts performance and why gathering in a theater is a form of community building we desperately need right now.
Irene Sofia Lucio is an actor and creator whose Broadway credits include Liberation, Slave Play, and Wit. Her Off-Broadway work includes Our Dear Dead Drug Lord. On screen, she has appeared in In the Heights, Tell Me Lies, The Big Cigar, and co-created the web series Butts. She holds a BA from Princeton University and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.
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- Instagram: @irenesofialucio
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