"La Reina"

2006 Urban Artist initiative grant recipient Performance Arts category

2005 HOLA Award Recipient  

Crowned "DIVA" by The Village Voice and Siempre Newspaper proudly granted her the title "La Diva de el Barrio"

Born and raised as a Nuyorican in El Barrio (Spanish Harlem) Rhina graduated from the William Esper Studio completing a Masters Program in Meisner technique, studied dance at the Boys Harbor Conservatory and has performed in various theatres throughout New York City since 1998.   The multi-talented Rhina Valentin (Comedic actress, Emcee, Dancer, Writer and Producer) is La Reina Productions. Ms Valentin continues to produce   and perform in "La Reina's Barriolesque" Most recently, She's been cast to host a talkshow named "Open" which airs every Friday morning Live on Bronxnet channel 67 at 10AM and 10PM. She has also been featured in a Bally's commercial airing internationally and a 1-800-flowers commercial airing nationally but look out for her in her supporting lead role "Reina" in the HBO Award Winning Short "Betty La Flaca" which broadcast on HBO & HBO Latino

ACTING Theatre/Television/Film Credits

" Muniz wants to marry Rosa " written by Rafael S. Diaz - Henry Street Settlement/Abrons Arts Center (January 1998)

" Boston Road "   written by Tee Saralegui - Clemente Soto Velez (April 1998, staged reading)

" Banjee " written by A.B. Lugo - Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (June 1998, staged reading)

" Juanita's Trip " written by Louis A. Delgado - Repertorio Espanol (July 1998, staged reading) The Flamboyan Theater in (November 1998, full production)

" An Evening of Monologues " by Caicedo productions- Agueybana Bookstore (July 1998)

" King Koho " written by Pablo Figueroa - La Tea Theater (February 1999)

" Urban FairyTales Festival " - Nada 45 Theater (April 1999 & June 1999)

" An Evening of Monologues " - Thompkins Square Library/Gallery (July 1999)

" How to Organize a Rent Strike " written by Tee Saralegui - Charas (September 1999, staged reading)

" An Evening of Monolgues " - Sanford Meisner Theater (November 1999)

" Young Love " an afternoon of monologues - Hamilton Fish Park Branch Library and at The Thompkins Square Branch Library/Gallery (February 2000)

" An Evening of Monologues " - Caicedo Productions-The Cove (February 2000)

" El Solar " written by Sandra Rodriguez- Julia de Burgos Cultural Center (May 2002; Ms. Valentin performed the character of an 80 year-old woman)

" The Fires " written by Aureo Ivan Cardona. - Hostos Repertory Theater (September 2002)

" Positive Women " - Produced by LEFT- La Tea (May 2003)

" Yo Soy Latina " written by Linda Nieves-Powell, Latino Flavored Productions (February- April 2004) National College Tour: Wisconsin; Kutztown, Pennsylvania; Denton, Texas; Stonybrook, Long Island; Brown University, Rhode Island; Tallahasee, Florida; and Depaul, Chicago.   Pathmark High School Tour: High School for Media and Communications, High school of World Cultures, East Side High School and Teaneck High School.

"Soul Latina" Latino Flavored Productions   - Theater 24 (October 2003); Latina Magazine's event at the Lit Lounge(November 2003); The Nuyorican Poets Café(April 2004)

"The Nutcracker" Contemporary Ballet Theatre- Hostos Community College Main Theatre (December 2004)

"Girls = Mass X Anorexia" Written by Ed Malin -The Theatre-Studio TSI/Playtime Series 3112 (January 2005)

"Latinas don't PMS" "The Spirit" written and performed by Rhina Valentin- Café Remy's(April 2005-May 2005) The World Famous Apollo Theatre(November 2005) and every Friday the month of (March 2006) in honor of Womens History Month

"Remembering Rei" "Poppa Dio" written by the late Reinaldo Povod-She performed the role of Mafia which won her The 2005 HOLA Award. Produced by Latino College Expo/Caicedo Productions in La Tea Theatre (May 2005)

"Jose Can Speak" "Hector at the Club" written by Linda Nieves Powell, Latino Flavored Productions at the Nuyorican Poets Café. A full run (July 2006)

"Betty La Flaca"(HBO) - She played A Supporting lead named Reina in A Film by Hugo Perez, HBO Award winning Short. The World premiere was at The New York International Latino Film Festival (July 2006) and it is now airing on HBO/HBO Latino since Oct 2006

EMCEE (MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES)

" Latino Laughter" (August-Dec 2000) The New York Comedy Club

"Poetino Laughter" (April 2001) The NY Comedy Club

"The Bronx Museum Gala Benefit Dinner for Congressman Jose E.Serrano" (November 2003) at The Bronx Museum of the Arts

"Vaudeville Nuevo" (January 2004) The Point CDC.

"Hunts Point Fish Parade" Co-host (August 2004) alongside Actor/Comedian Ruperto Vanderpool.

"The South Bronx Networking Party" ( October 2004)

"Voices Unchained" -Violence Intervention Program at Hostos Repertory Theatre(May 2005)

"!Viva Bronx Festival!" Hosted   the Mainstage (October 2005)

"The Tenth Annual Beta Awards" Bronxnet- Co-host for Television alongside radio personality   Dr. Bob Lee of WBLS-FM ( November 2005)

"Open" Bronxnet - Host of weekly Live morning Television show every Friday at 10AM since May of 2006   

GUEST ARTIST

Ms. Valentin was a Guest Artist with the dance company, Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre/AATT. She first worked with Bessie Award winner Mr. Aviles in his production "Super Maeva de Oz" - BAAD!/Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (March-April 2000). This performance earned Rhina her Village Voice DIVA crown.  She later performed in AATT's "La Mezcla" (April 2001) presented at Bronx Community College, in addition to "Hunts Point in the House" (August 2001) Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, " The Speed of Sight"(February 2003) Dance Theater Workshop.  She also performed in Merian Soto Dance & Performance's "Pelea de Gallos/The Cock Fight" (October 2003) at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden. She is proud to be a regular of Pepatian's Bronx Artist Spotlight series: " Jump It Up " (May 2003 ),"Out of La Botanica" (November 2003), Bowery Poetry Club (July 2003 ),"Bronx Artists Showcase 2004" (January 2004) at The Living Room. S he portrayed her impersonation of "Iris Chacon" for Bill Aguado's(BCA) 25 th anniversary celebration in his commitment to Arts and Culture(June 2004) at Lehman's Repertory Theater. She was also invited by Vangeline Theatre to perform her piece "Goddess" (February 2004)in a production called "Weddings" at Galapagos.

 

HER OWN PRODUCTIONS   

Together with her collaborative writer, producer Efrain Nazario/The Unknown Poet, she created her one-woman show " Diva Attack! " (2001). Directed by Arthur Aviles, DIVA ATTACK! had its debut at the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance/BAAD! Ass Women's Festival (March 2001), was presented at the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center (June 2001)with live percussion by the Legendary Joe Cuba (who is also Rhina Valentin's artistic Padrino, it then got the attention of producer Lou Violla (NBC) and was produced for PSNBC at Here Theater (August 2001). DIVA ATTACK! was also presented at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe (September 2001) and La Bamba Night Club (September 2003).  With Sandra Rodriguez, she co-wrote another one-woman show " MIRRORS" (BAAD! Ass Womens Festival, March 2002). Her latest group piece is " METROGROOVE "(BAAD! Ass Women's Festival, March 2003; and The Point CDC, June 2004) co-created by Rhina Valentin and Efrain Nazario/The Unknown Poet. Another one of their productions "OHMen" which presented Rhina together with dynamic dancer Awilda Sterling- Duprey and the celebrated Dominican/Haitian group Palo Monte at The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (March 2004). This mystical performance art piece was Later presented by Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture(March 2005).

  " I Likeded It ," her signature piece written by the late Louis Delgado. Rhina performed this work at various Hispanic Heritage events: The City of New York Department of Health (October 1999);Federal Bureau of Investigations/FBI (October 2000); Prudential Securities (October 2001); Violence Intervention Program(November 2002); Bowery Poetry Club (July 2003) and at Latina Magazine's The LIT Lounge (November 2003).

"La Reina's Barriolesque"- A performance carnivale done urban style.   What began as an open mic in Spanish Harlem in Carlitos Café (Sept 2004)has evolved into an ensemble of brilliant artists who would under normal circumstances never find themselves performing together as a cast.   The varieties of performers from different genres of the Arts range from exotic belly dancers to rappers, poets, singers and of course we can't have a carnivale without a clown!   Each month brings in a new cast with a clever new theme such as A Mid-Summer's Night Scheme (July 2005); Rebel With A Cause(Aug 2005); Barrio in Space(September 2005); Boo! Did We Scare you (October2005); A Puerto Rican Cabaret(November 2005); and   Reflections: A Pre New Years Bash(December 2005) , making it one of the favorite productions to watch at its current venue the Nuyorican Poet's Café (236 East 3 rd Street between B & C Avenue) performing to a full house every last Wednesday of the month .   While creating a presentation for   other events. Such as DEA's/Drug Enforcement Agency(October 2005) in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The   Outdoor version   of Barriolesque has been presented by the Bronx Cultural Trolley and Haven Arts(May 2005) Barriolesque's"Pirates of A Cultural Corridor" presented on the Bronx Cultural Trolley (October 2006)as well as Pregones.   !Viva Bronx Festival!(October2005) and " Barrio in Space" outdoor version presented at Viva Bronx Festival! (October 2006) and Barrriolesque's "Latino Cabaret" presented by the DEA's/Drug Enforcement Agency (October 2006), in honor of Hispanic heritage Month.

 

CHOREOGRAPHER

Ms. Valentin choreographed for other productions, including: "Rebirth" (March 2001), "El Solar" (May 2002) co-choreographer Kim Vasquez, "La Gitana" (December 2002), "Positive Women" (May 2003).

IN ADDITION

Ms. Valentin is also an aerobics instructor (Cardio Fusion, Box and Tone, Butt and Gut, Fitball, and Belly Dance Aerobics) and a Certified Personal Trainer for Women, presently working for Lucille Roberts.  

Rhina is also an artist teacher.   Theatre instructor for The Childrens Aid Society since February 2006, and worked with High school students in Morris High School Campus. This year she works with intermediate grades at CIS 166.

Rhina was also booked to produce A Closing piece for The Girls Scouts USA in Washington DC for their National Conference.

Rhina serves on the Artistic Advisory Board for Pepatian.

For more info. Feel free to visit www.myspace.com/rhinavalentin