By Christina Fernández-Morrow
Des Moines will witness theater history when the city’s first free Spanish-language play takes the stage, breaking down cost and language barriers that have long kept Latino families away from live performance.
Gabriela Fuentes, an award-winning actress who has made a name for herself across the Des Moines film and theater scene is adding playwright, acting coach, director and innovator to her long list of titles with the launch of Proyecto Echoes Migrantxs.
This groundbreaking theater project is her most recent labor of love and the name itself holds several significant meanings. It’s a project (Proyecto) that echoes (Echoes) what she’s known her whole career: Des Moines needs more accessible performing arts and this movement (Migrantx) will make that happen for everyone.
“We have so many things happening that just donating your time volunteering or for things that you like is sometimes not possible or realistic. That’s why I created this project,” says Fuentes.
As an actor, she knows firsthand that rehearsing can consume more than 20 hours a week and most of the time it is unpaid. Not only did she design her production to pay the artists, but she also made sure to create something that was educational as it developed into the performance, an interactive process involving the performers from the beginning. The cast committed two evenings a week for six weeks, with no investment in costumes or sets, just their lines, movements and stage presence.
To ensure accessibility, Fuentes reserved the Stoner Theater, a central location along a bus line. While the plays are in Spanish, Fuentes hired Caracas Language Solutions to provide live translation so audience members can use their phones and ear buds for English-language interpretation. To remove cost barriers, Fuentes is working long hours to raise money for free admission.
“A lot of Latinos I’ve talked to have never been to the theater because it can be expensive,” explains Fuentes. “This is the first time there is a free Spanish play in Des Moines.” To make this possible, Fuentes, assistant director Jessica Mendoza and Zachary Carpe, the fundraising lead are raising $12,000 to cover rehearsal space, theater rental, interpreters, production costs, and fair compensation for cast members.
“My vision is to do this every year during Hispanic Heritage Month. I want more people to get excited about theater in Des Moines,” says Fuentes. “I hope someone who has never been to the theater goes this year becomes interested in getting into theater. I want Proyecto Echoes Migrantxs to educate my community through theater.”
The debut performance brings together Merced Cruz, Kelly Espinoza, Mayte Gómez-Cruz, Rocío González, Lulú Pineda – Spanish-speaking adults exploring the performing arts for the first time, and some with past acting experience. “This project is more than a play, it is a reflection of our language, our stories, and our resilience,” says Fuentes. “We believe that every artist’s time, talent, and story deserve recognition and fair pay.”
While preparing the cast, perfecting scripts and directing in the evenings after her full-time job, Fuentes has spent countless hours creating a raffle that has brought some of the area’s most talented artists together, offering framed artwork, prints, one-of-a-kind jewelry, tattoo services, homemade salsas and more to support the project. “I am so thankful for the art community. They have been so supportive. I am not a 501c(3) organization, so I couldn’t get grants,” says Fuentes. Instead, she has rallied her community and Latinx-owned businesses like El Fogon and Café con Leche have aligned with local artists to help make this project a success.
Community members can support Proyecto Echoes Migrantxs by purchasing from the raffle at https://gabrielafuentesperformer.com/raffle/. Every raffle ticket helps elevate Latinx voices on Des Moines stages and builds towards Fuentes’ vision of accessible theater for all. There will be a LIVE drawing on Gabriela Fuentes Performer Facebook at 5:00pm on September 28 to announce all winners.
Learn more at: www.gabrielafuentesperformer.com or @gabrielafuentesperformer accounts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
EVENT DETAILS:
What: Proyecto Echoes Migrantxs debut performance
When: Oct. 4, 2025, 7 p.m.
Where: Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, Iowa
Cost: Free
Languages: Spanish with live English translation via smartphone.
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