Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Renée Lavalle

Renée Lavalle (‘18) is an actor, puppeteer and director whose work spans theatre and television. She recently appeared in McDonald’s national bilingual campaign for the “El Spicy Menu” and continues to expand her resumé across multiple mediums.

Her stage work with Latine theatre companies has earned wide recognition. She won the 2023 Talia Award for her performance as Martirio in La Casa de Bernarda Alba (El Barrio Art Space), originated a role at INTAR Theatre in the published play Julio Ain’t Goin’ Down Like That, and appeared in Eight Tales of Pedro at Queens Theatre.

Her puppetry work includes design, building, and coaching for INTAR Theatre, IATI Theatre, Ballet Nepantla, and Latin Grammy-nominated artist Sonia de los Santos. In 2024, Lavalle wrote, directed, and produced her first play, Gentleman Robert, presented in a workshop production at Target Margin Theatre. Last fall, Renée had the opportunity to teach a puppetry class at Dartmouth College.

She is currently Assistant Director for Desaparecidas, a new musical directed by Florencia Cuenca with music and lyrics by Jaime Lozano and Florencia Cuenca and book by Georgina Escobar at The New Group.

Upcoming, she will perform with Concrete Temple Theatre in Packrat: The Quest Por La Abundancia at Dixon Place in January 2026.