Biography

Sabina Zúñiga Varela, originally from New Mexico, holds an MA in Special Education from the University of New Mexico and an MFA in Acting from the University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts, Class of 2011. As a proud member of Actor’s Equity, she has performed in all three of Luis Alfaro’s Greek adaptations (Bruja at the Magic Theatre; Mojada at The Public Theatre; Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles; Portland Center Stage, OSF & The Getty Villa; Oedipus El Rey at The Dallas Theater center; Electricidad at The National Hispanic Cultural Center). Other regional theatre credits include Twilight Los Angeles: 1992 (CTG’s Mark Taper Forum) Uncle Vanya (Pasadena Playhouse) Culture Clash’s Bordertown Now (Pasadena Playhouse) You Never Can Tell (CalShakes), Native Gardens (World Premiere Cincinnati Playhouse), Culture Clash’s Chavez Ravine (Kirk Douglas Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Dallas Theater Center), Water By The Spoonful (TheatreWorks), The Tenth Muse and The Heart of Robin Hood (OSF), El Nogalar (The Fountain Theatre) and Still Life (NHCC). Television credits include Madame Secretary, Snowfall and American Crime. Film Credits include: Serpentine Pink

As a director her theatrical credits include: Rio De Lagrimas by Las Meganenas, Bernabé by Luis Valdez, Gas by Elizabeth Otero and Kino and Teresa by James Lujan and Conduct of Life by Maria Irene Fornés

Zuniga Varela was awarded the 2022 Distinguished Production by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle for Uncle Vanya; 2015 Lead Performance Award by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle for her role as Medea in Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles, as well as the 2015 Ovation Award for Best Production, for Culture Clash’s Chavez Ravine. She was also nominated for the 2014 Bay Area Theatre Critic’s Circle Principal Actress in a Drama for her work in Water by the Spoonful. In 2007, the New Mexico Hispano Entertainer’s Association designated Zúñiga Varela their Female Performer of the Year for her performances in Still Life and The Magdalena Cantata.