Gabriela Ponce Padilla (Quito, Ecuador, November 13, 1977) is an Ecuadorian writer, playwright, theatre director, and professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. She debuted with Antropofaguitas (2015), a short story collection that established her literary presence. Her play Lugar won the Joaquín Gallegos Lara National Literature Prize in 2018, and her novel Sanguínea (2019), which explores pain, eroticism, and love through metaphors of blood and menstruation, received the same prize for Best Novel in 2021. Sanguínea was translated into English as Blood Red (2022).
Early Life and Education
Gabriela Ponce Padilla was born on November 13, 1977, in Quito, Ecuador. She pursued her undergraduate studies in Sociology and Philosophy at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Her passion for the arts led her to obtain a master’s degree in Theatre Direction from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a program she attended thanks to a Fulbright scholarship. Ponce’s educational background also includes a brief pursuit of a master’s degree in Philosophy at the Universidad Católica de Quito.
Literary Career
Ponce made her literary debut in 2015 with Antropofaguitas, a collection of short stories that won the recognition of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Culture. The work was praised for its technical narrative prowess and depth in character portrayal. This marked her entry into Ecuador’s literary scene, establishing her as a significant voice. She later published her first novel, Sanguínea, in 2019. The novel, which explores themes of bodily experience, desire, and pain through metaphorical lenses, such as blood and menstruation, earned her widespread acclaim and won the 2021 Joaquín Gallegos Lara Award for Best Novel.
In addition to her novels and short stories, Ponce has authored several plays, including Lugar (2017) and Solo hay un jardín: en el fondo de todo hay un jardín (2020). Her playwriting often intersects with her interests in sociocultural and feminist critiques, questioning the discourses surrounding romantic love and motherhood.
Theatrical Work
As a playwright and director, Ponce’s work has been recognized with prestigious awards. Her play Lugar won the 2018 Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize for Theatre, and her production Tazas Rosas para el Té received the 2017 Francisco Tobar García Award for Best Theatrical Production from the Municipality of Quito. This play deals with the massacre of workers in Ecuador’s Aztra sugar refinery in 1977, showcasing her ability to intertwine historical events with dramatic narrative. Ponce is also part of the performing arts collective Mitómana/Artes Escénicas and is a co-founder of Casa Mitómana, a cultural venue in Quito.
Her play Sanguínea was adapted for the stage in 2021, further demonstrating her ability to transition between literary forms and theatre. She continues to be an active force in Ecuador’s theatrical community, with her work often reflecting experimental and transdisciplinary methodologies.
Teaching and Other Activities
Ponce is a professor of performing arts at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, where she imparts her knowledge in dramaturgy, theatre direction, and creative writing. Her academic interests lie in experimental performance and collaborative artistic processes. She is also on the editorial board of Sycorax, a digital magazine focusing on cultural critique.
Recognitions and Accolades
Throughout her career, Gabriela Ponce has been awarded numerous prestigious honors, including:
- The Joaquín Gallegos Lara Award for Theatre (2018) and Novel (2021)
- The Francisco Tobar García Award (2017) for Best Theatrical Production
- Fulbright Scholarship for her master’s degree in Theatre Direction
Additionally, she was recently appointed as the artistic director of the Fundación Teatro Nacional Sucre in Quito.
Gabriela Ponce interviewed virtually by Mónica Ojeda
Gabriela Ponce interviewed about her first novel Sanguínea
Works
- Antropofaguitas (2015), short stories
- Lugar (2017), play
- Sanguínea (2019), novel – translated into English as Blood Red (2022) by Sarah Booker.
- Solo hay un jardín: en el fondo de todo hay un jardín (2020), play
- Flotar, pude (2022)
References
- Hablemos Escritoras, “Gabriela Ponce.” Retrieved on October 4, 2024. Click to view.
- Wikipedia, “Gabriela Ponce.” Retrieved on October 4, 2024. Click to view.
- Restless Books, “Gabriela Ponce.” Retrieved on October 4, 2024. Click to view.
- Goodreads, “Gabriela Ponce Padilla.” Retrieved on October 4, 2024. Click to view.
- Editorial Candaya, “Gabriela Ponce.” Retrieved on October 4, 2024. Click to view.
- Fundación Teatro Nacional Sucre, “Gabriela Ponce Padilla es la nueva directora artística ejecutiva de la Fundación Teatro Nacional Sucre.” Retrieved on October 4, 2024. Click to view.
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito, “Gabriela Ponce Padilla.” Retrieved on October 4, 2024. Click to view.
- El Apuntador, “Gabriela Ponce Padilla.” Retrieved on October 4, 2024. Click to view.
- Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua, “El Espejo de Tinta: Conversación con Gabriela Ponce.” Retrieved on October 4, 2024. Click to view.
This post was updated on October 4, 2024.