The Hispanic population in the Puget Sound region grew by over 50 percent between the 2010 and 2020 census from 309,000 to nearly 475,000, with growth expected to continue. The evolving demographic has also been represented in the arts, humanities and civic work.

As the country celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month starting this past Tuesday through October 15, it is worth noting the impact that Hispanic and Hispanic Americans have had in the region's arts scene. Last May, PDA featured local Hispanic and Hispanic American visual artists.

This time, PDA is recognizing the contributions by local Hispanic theater artists, including artistic directors who lead major theater companies. Dámaso Rodriguez, the artistic head at The Seattle Rep, was born in Miami to Cuban parents. Johamy Morales is the Mexican American Artistic Director at Seattle Children's Theatre (SCT). Rodriguez was hired to lead The Seattle Rep in 2023. Morales was promoted to artistic head at SCT in 2025, becoming the first woman of color to lead the company.

Rodriguez will be directing "I'll be your Superhero" by Hispanic American professor and playwright José Casas this fall at SCT. Last season, The Seattle Rep and SCT collaborated on Larissa FastHorse’s Fancy Dancer.

Other local artistic companies have also collaborated with Hispanic, Hispanic American artists or have shared the stories of Hispanic artists. Union Arts Center closed their 2-25-26 season with "Frida ... A Self-Portrait" about painter Frida Kahlo. This season, Seattle Opera will mount "El Ultimo Sueńo de Frida y Diego (The Last Dream of Frida and Diego)" about Kahlo and and fellow artist and lover Diego Rivera.

Entire organizations have also helped tell the rich stories of diverse communities. Latino Theatre Project was founded in Seattle in 2011 by Fernando Luna and has produced workshops and shows for diverse communities.

Ese Teatro opens their season this weekend at the University Heights Center in the University District with "Don't Call it a Journey." This Saturday's opening night is sold out. The show runs on select Wednesdays and Saturdays through December 5.

For more on The Seattle Rep, Seattle Children's Theatre, Rodriguez and Morales look for the new issue of Public Display Art at one of nearly 900 locations around the Puget Sound.