The House of Ramon Iglesia

A contemporary stage production examines the tensions of cultural identity and belonging through the story of a first-generation Puerto Rican family at Florida International University. Presented at the Herbert & Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center, performances run across multiple evenings in early April, offering a character-driven exploration of family dynamics and personal ambition.

Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist José Rivera and directed by Ivan R. López, The House of Ramón Iglesia follows Javier, a young man navigating the pressures of assimilation while trying to remain connected to his heritage. As expectations from family and society collide, the play considers the complexities of identity, language and what it means to define “home” within two cultural worlds.

The production features a student and emerging artist cast, with design elements supporting an intimate staging that emphasizes dialogue and emotional nuance. Rivera, widely recognized for works such as Marisol and References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot, brings his signature blend of realism and poetic language to this exploration of the first-generation experience.