Frutos de la Muerte
A young Guatemalan woman, Ixq’anil, and her aunt Adela turn to fungi, science, and indigenous wisdom for guidance amid political turmoil in the US and Guatemala. Spectral figures emerge from the shadowy edges of their memories, brought to life by a skillful chorus of movement and puppetry artists.
Frutos de la Muerte takes an unconventional approach to finding a way through the darkness when we are feeling lost — drawing on mycology, curanderismo, and the quiet intelligence of things that grow in the dark.
Creative Team
Devised by Glass Half Full Theatre
Direction and Cultural Dramaturgy by Khristián Méndez Aguirre
Story runner, Movement, and Puppet Direction by Caroline Reck
Assistant Direction by Ariane Stier
Performances by Gricelda Silva, Isis Jasen Silva, Caroline Reck, Antonio Medrano, and Diana Guizado
Scenic and Costume design by Delena Bradley
Co-Scenic Design and Technical Direction by Joshua Walter Martin
Lighting Design by Gavin Kenter
Sound Design by K. Eliot Haynes
Puppet Design by Caroline Reck
Co-Costume Design and Puppet, Prop and Costume Fabrication Kade Conklin
Fungal Dramaturgy Jesús Garcia
Technical Direction by Joshua W. Martin
Stage Management by Karla Zodapop
Marketing and Graphic Design by Khristián Méndez Aguirre
Development
Research and Story Development: January 2025
Private Developmental Workshop: July 2025,
Workshop Production: October-November 2025, CRASHBOX
Full Version: June 2026, Ground Floor Theater
Supporters
Supported by
City of Austin Cultural Arts Division
The New England Foundation for the Arts
The Paramount and State Theaters
Texas Commission on the Arts
The Creative Fund
Our Individual Donors
Press and Accolades
Reviews:
- Austin Chronicle: “Family History Proves Fertile Artistic Ground” (2026)
- Glasstire: Review: “Frutos de los Muertos”- Puppeteering Mushroom-Induced Visions of a Traumatic Past (2026)
- Stage and Cinema: A TRIP WORTH TAKING. A mushroom-fueled journey through family memory finds wisdom in the chaos (2026)
Coverage:
‘Frutos de la Muerte’ is a multilingual play with puppets that’s about family secrets and mushrooms (2026)
Accolades:
B. Iden Payne Awards (Results Pending)
- Outstanding Lead Performer of a Drama, Gricelda Silva
- Outstanding Lead Performer of a Drama, Isis Silva
- Outstanding Direction of a Drama
- Outstanding Production of a Drama
- Outstanding Graphic Design
- Outstanding Scenic Charge, CB Feller and Mia Ramirez
- Outstanding Puppet Design, Caroline Reck
- Outstanding Properties Design, Delena Bradley and the Cast
- Outstanding Costume Design, Caroline Reck, Delena Bradley and Kade Conklin
- Outstanding Set Design, Delena Bradley and Joshua Walter Martin
- Outstanding Dramaturgy, Jesus Garcia, Khristian Mendez Aguirre and Caroline Reck
- Outstanding Movement Performance, Caroline Reck, Antonio Medrano and Diana Patricia Guizado
- Outstanding Movement Design, Caroline Reck
- Outstanding Feature Length Script, Company
- Outstanding Puppetry Performance, Gricelda Silva, Caroline Reck, Antonio Medrano and Diana Guizado