FEDERICO RESTREPO 

Federico Restrepo was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and began training in mime and ballet as a young boy with Priscila Welton and Miroslav Kura. His first professional theatre work was dancing with the Ballet National de Colombia in 1983, and he came to New York in 1985 to study at the Merce Cunningham School.

Since 1985, Restrepo has developed a puppetry style which incorporates design and dance. He is the founder and artistic director of Dance/Puppet Theatre Company Loco7, formerly known as Puppets and Drummers. His goal as a director has been to design the set and puppets as an extension of the dancer’s body. The spectacle is an ever-changing environment, transforming and moving through out the space. His subject matter is very much the soul of Colombia mixed with his experiences living in New York City. Restrepo’s intense love and passion for the history of the Americas and his journeys in New York are a constant source for all his work.

Restrepo has premiered, designed, performed, and directed thirteen original pieces at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Company in New York City, with subsequent tours through out the world. He is a resident puppet designer, choreographer, performer and director at La MaMa ETC, as well as the Producing Director of La MaMa Puppet Festival, a bi-annual event.

Restrepo has appeared at La MaMa ETC as a member of the Great Jones Repertory Company in Ellen Stewart’s Asclepius, The Raven, Perseus, Antigone, Mythos Oedipus, Dionysus Fillus Dei, Monk and The Hangman’s Daughter, Seven Against Thebes and Draupadi. In addition, he has designed lighting for professional productions in New York as well as abroad. Recent work includes: Twelfth Night, La MaMa Moves Festival, Asclepius, The Sad Story of Ethal and Julius, Weiner Girls, Trojan Women, Driving on the Left Side, Place Poems, and Cucaracha.

Since 2003, Restrepo has been a teaching artist for New York City Public Schools and Community Senior Centers, where he teaches dance and puppet and mask design and construction.