The Official Site of LATE

Founded in 1970 by Mario Peña and Margarita Toirac, the LATIN AMERICAN THEATRE ENSEMBLE/EL PORTÓN (LATE) is a not-for-profit theater that has been responsible for the development of dramatic and literary talent from within the Hispanic-American community of New York City, and has promoted Latin American and Spanish theater through its seasonal productions and uninterrupted workshop series.

Ninety-five percent of LATE’s staff and Board members are drawn from the principal Latino and minority groups inhabiting El Barrio (i.e., Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Cubans, African Americans, etc.). The general membership recruited in recent years, however, represents the full panoply of newly arrived ethnic and cultural populations.

Accordingly, LATE has set in motion several programs designed to appeal to all age groups and cultural backgrounds. Acting, voice, dance, playwriting, etc. have benefited, and will continue to benefit the younger members of the community, broadening their cultural horizons and guiding them toward career objectives.