Ayssette Muñoz (she/ella) is a Mexican-American actress, director, and educator based in Chicago, IL. Co-Director of Youth and Outreach at Teatro Vista. Passionate Teaching Artist at Steppenwolf Theatre.
Muñoz is an established ensemble member at Teatro Vista, Chicago’s leading Equity Latine theatre company. Named one of Chicago Tribune’s “Top 10 Hot New Faces of Chicago Theatre” in 2015, Muñoz has garnered praise and recognition from critics and artists alike for her acting and directorial work. She was nominated for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play” at the ALTA (The Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists) Awards in 2019 and was Associate Director for Teatro Vista’s Somewhere Over the Border — winner of Best Ensemble, Best Director, and Best Production of a Musical (Midsize) at the Jeff Awards in 2022.
Theatre
(Select)
Chicago
The Doppelgänger (u/s, 5 performances), Steppenwolf Theatre; Ah, Wilderness! (Muriel), Goodman Theatre; Short Shakes! Romeo & Juliet (u/s, Juliet), Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Plantation! (u/s), Lookingglass Theatre Company; Hope: Part II of A Mexican Trilogy, La Havana Madrid, The Wolf at The End of the Block, In the Time of the Butterflies, Between You, Me, and the Lampshade, A View From the Bridge, Teatro Vista; Do You Feel Anger (u/s), A Red Orchid Theatre; Alias Grace, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble; Corazones, Definition Theatre; Generation Sex, Teatro Luna;
Regional
I Come From Arizona (Gabi), Children’s Theatre Company; I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (Julia), Literature to Life NYC; The Comedy of Errors, Richard III, Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival;
Training, Skills,
& Honors
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CHICAGO
The Casting Process — Adam Belcore, Goodman Theatre
Black Box Acting: Nailing the Digital Submission — Bailey Hayman, DDO Agency
Stage Combat (Rapier) — Matt Hawkins, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Folio I — Larry Yando, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
EDUCATION
BFA Acting — Oklahoma City University
Stage Combat (Rapier & Unarmed) — Kevin Asselin, OCU
Voice & Dialects — Sarah D'Angelo, OCU
Linklater technique — Ben Corbett, OCU
AFA Musical Theatre — Lon Morris College -
Spanish, Tennis, HIIT, Yoga, Mezzo Soprano (C#4 to G5), Guitar, Stage Combat, Passport, Drivers License
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Ensemble Member (2017-Present) — Teatro Vista
Associate Director for Teatro Vista’s Somewhere Over The Border, winner of Best Ensemble, Best Director, and Best Production of a Musical (Midsize) — Jeff Awards, 2022
“Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play” Nominee — ALTA Awards, 2019
“Top 10 Hot New Faces of Chicago Theatre” — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2015
HOPE: PART II OF A MEXICAN TRILOGY | TEATRO VISTA
“A standout performance by Ayssette Muñoz as the cantankerous youngest daughter, Gina. She carried the bulk of the vocal performance and showcased the most dramatic character growth.”
— Sophie Vitello, Chicago Theatre Review
I COME FROM ARIZONA | CHILDREN’S THEATRE COMPANY
“It falls upon Ayssette Muñoz to carry the show as Gabi, and she’s terrific, deftly capturing not only her emotionally overwhelmed side, but also the maturity she must call upon to confront her difficulties.”
— Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities
Ah, Wilderness!
Goodman Theatre
“Excellent performances are turned in by the superb actors in supporting roles, leaving a memorably strong impression through often just a single appearance. Ayssette Muñoz is excellent as Richard’s beloved Muriel.”
— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune