Mercedes Inez Martinez was born in the Mexican border city El Paso,Texas. She recently graduated from Loyola University Chicago where she studied Theatre/Psychology/Studio Art and Music. Her inspiration is drawn from her belief in Buddhist philosophy of interconnectedness between all things which she utilizes in her bilingual education based in Expressive Arts Therapy. She founded the Experimental Performance Arts Workshop Series (EPAWS) in 2009 which integrates all forms of art. Mercedes has exhibited fine art at Metropolis Coffee Co., Minx Parlor in River North District, Chicago Fringe Festival, Teatro Luna's 10x10 performance,B1E Gallery, Glenwood Art Festival and various places throughout Chicago. In the past she has studied with Second City Theatre, Lookinglass Theatre and performed in SAVAGE IN LIMBO, 24 HOUR THEATRE PROJECT, POETRY OUTLOUD, and Shakespeare's AS YOU LIKE IT among others. She has directed numerous productions, but most notably in 2009 she directed the production, PHILIP GLASS BUYS A LOAF OF BREAD by David Ives at Loyola University, a mini-operetta that you can view on youtube at "Philip Glass Loyola".In 2010 she adapted/directed the novel EINSTEIN'S DREAMS by Alan Lightman and also coordinated performance artists for various art events in conjunction with the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce.She also acted in, as well as sound/lighting designed the productions TIME OF YOUR LIFE, VAGINA MONOLOGUES, CREATION MYTHS and THE FUNNIES at Loyola in 2010-11. Currently she designs/teaches for StudioBe Theatre and Colectivo El Pozo which has the bilingual production LOS CARRALEJAS opening in April 2012 at Teatro de la Villita and Teatro Luna through a PanAmerica Works grant. She is currently the lead vocalist/musical director of the band Crew of Crazy Cats and also has a duet project with harpist Zacbe Pichardo called Luna y Sol where she plays music from different regions in Mexico by playing guitar, singing in spanish and dancing zapateado (foot percussion), sometimes all at the same time. She most recently sung the soprano part for Sones de Mexico in a joint concert with the Lincolnwood Orchestra at the Benito Juarez Performing Arts Center in the 2011 and is also performing with Grupo Cha Cha. She is currently acting as the guitarist/vocalist for Clinard Dance Theatre in their upcoming production From the Arctic to the Middle East with music by Steve Gibons.  She plays at various venues around Chicago and has a residency at The Pub at Mayne Stage where you can catch her performing every week.
*For more information, please contact her at mercedesinezmartinez@gmail.com