Exal Iraheta is a renowned Salvi-American playwright and screenwriter, residing in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. His writing often delves into the intricate intersections of innocence, queerness, Latinx realities, violence, and sex, frequently incorporating elements of humor and discomfort.
Exal's academic background is marked by his achievements in the field of creative writing. He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Northwestern University's esteemed Writing for the Screen and Stage program in 2019, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Film & Video Production in 2009.
Exal's work has been showcased in various festivals and productions, solidifying his reputation as a talented playwright. His full-length play, They Could Give No Name, was curated as part of Victory Gardens' 2019 Ignition Festival of New Plays. Additionally, his short play, Open Venas, received a production as part of the 2019 Take Ten New York Short Play Festival. Furthermore, his full-length play, Rules of a Closed Door, was a semi-finalist for the 2019 Activate: Midwest New Play Fest, with an excerpt reading at The Goodman Theater the previous year.
Exal's impressive portfolio of work is further augmented by his recognition as a 2018 Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar, a 2018 Fornés Playwriting Workshop participant, and a 2019 Theater Masters Playwright. For more information about Exal's work, please visit his official website at exaliraheta.com.
