Amaranta Leyva
by Manuel A. Moran, Ph.D.

Amaranta Leyva was born in Mexico in 1973. She is an actor, puppeteer and playwright. Puppet theatre has been her means of expression, in particular, writing and directing for children’s audiences. In her own words: “to explore a child’s world allows me to find my most hidden, profound and intense emotions of being human.”

She comes from a theatre family and was exposed to puppetry at a very early age. Her early relationship with the puppetry world inspired her to explore and develop this art form. Since then, puppets of all styles have influenced her life and writing. She has become a leading playwright in Mexico, writing for children’s theatre and puppet theatre. Her stories speak of children and their dreams, desires, fears and happiness.

She has been a member of the Mexican Puppetry Company, Marionetas de la Esquina, since 1989. This puppet troupe is one of the leading puppet companies in Mexico and has extensively toured internationally. They are the producers of the International Puppet Festival Titerias, a very successful annual event that joins many Mexican and International Puppet companies in Mexico City.

Her work has been viewed primarily by the Mexican public but has been taken abroad as well. These include: El cielo de los perros, Dibújame una vaca (featured at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC), Mía and El Vestido, which was awarded the National Award of Theatre for Children in Mexico. Her books have been published and they are part of the National Program of Reading in Mexico.

For more images and links to Amaranta’s work, visit: 
emilioandtheenchantedcow.blogspot.com
dibujameunavaca.blogspot.com
miatheplay.blogspot.com
miaysinforoso.blogspot.com