Biography highlights
- Christopher Oscar Peña is a playwright and screenwriter whose work has been developed by major companies including Playwrights Horizons, Goodman Theatre, The Public Theater, and LAByrinth. He serves as an Artistic Associate at Arizona Theatre Company, contributing to ongoing new-work development.
- The world premiere of How To Make An American Son occurred in 2022 at Arizona Theatre Company, with subsequent productions in Phoenix and Tucson.
- A 2023 Portland production was staged by Profile Theatre at Imago Theatre, expanding the play’s regional footprint.
- A 2023 Davidson College engagement featured a Davidson College–Davidson production via Common Thread Theatre Collective, continuing the play’s educational reach.
- Upcoming regional engagement includes a 2026 run at New Conservatory Theatre Center in San Francisco, scheduled April 3 to May 10, 2026, marking a regional premiere after earlier iterations across the U.S.
Genre and themes
- How To Make An American Son is a contemporary, character-driven drama that interrogates citizenship, privilege, and the American Dream through the perspective of a Honduran immigrant father and his son, offering timely social and cultural commentary.
- The work is known for intimate storytelling, sharp dialogue, and nuanced character development, making it a meaningful choice for audiences seeking thoughtful theatre.
Upcoming tour information
- 2026: New Conservatory Theatre Center, San Francisco — regional premiere run from April 3 to May 10, 2026.
- Past engagements (for context): 2022 world premiere at Arizona Theatre Company, 2023 Profile Theatre (Portland), and 2023 Davidson College presentation. Future dates are announced by affiliated companies as plans develop.
Social media and official links
For updates related to Peña’s work and performances, follow affiliated theatres and organizations. Official pages provide reliable, status-updated information:
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