Ely Sonny Orquiza

Ely Sonny Orquiza is a dynamic and passionate theater maker, educator, and arts advocate, committed to amplifying marginalized voices in American theater. As the director of education and community at Magic Theatre, he collaborates with local communities to offer innovative arts programming to marginalized groups, including previously incarcerated individuals, immigrant and refugee families, Black and brown artists, and LGBTQIA+ elders living with HIV/AIDS. Orquiza is also co-founder and co-artistic director of The Chikahan Company, a Filipinx American theater company exploring and analyzing Filipinx history, politics, and psychology. His work has been praised for its authenticity of diverse and queer theater, setting a high standard for the Bay Area theater scene. Through his dedication to providing access to the arts, Orquiza strives to make a significant impact in American theater and beyond, inspiring others to create positive change through the transformative power of the arts.