About
Homegirls and collaborators since 2017, Jessi Realz and Marilet Martinez are the artistic creative force known as Tus Tías Productions. Their show The Invocation of Selena was featured at La Jolla Playhouse’s New Latinx Playwrights Festival in 2023 and the Latinx Theatre Commons Comedy Carnaval in 2022. As Co-founders of the award winning, nationally renowned, Chicago-based Latine comedy collective Ratas de Dos Patas, Jessi and Marilet have created fan favorite programming such as the annual Día de Los Muertos experience, Ratas En Fuego, Ratas Gigante, and the first iteration of The Invocation of Selena. Marilet Martinez and Jessi Realz were awarded a DCASE grant from the city of Chicago to premiere Elementos Del Alma: A Día De Los Muertos Experience in the fall of 2024. As producers, Tus Tías have collaborated with Red Bull Batalla, CLATA’s Destinos Festival, the Hideout Theatre in Austin, Outside In Theatre in L.A., and the SteppenWolf Theatre of Chicago. Tus Tías continues to build community through comedy, cultura, and corazón.
Las Tías
Jessi Realz
Jessi Realz (she/her) is a Chicago based multifaceted artist. Jessi roots her art in community building, the dismantling of oppressive systems, and uplifting underrepresented voices. Jessi has traveled the country to perform and teach artistic workshops in the stages of Steppenwolf, Urban Theater Company, Impro Theatre, the Laugh Factory, Just the Funny, The Hideout, Su Teatro, Zanies, Notre Dame University, University of Florida, Duke University, and Georgetown University; among many others. Born and raised in Mexico City, Jessi uses her rich Mexican background as a source for inspiration when devising plays, creating stand up, writing original sketch and web pieces, and directing new works. Jessi is the co-founder and artistic creative force behind Tus Tías Productions, Ratas de Dos Patas, and Las Tinas. Tus Tías were selected for the La Jolla Playhouse’s New Latinx Play Festival in 2023 and the 2022 Latinx Theater Commons Comedy Carnaval with their play, “The Invocation of Selena”. Ratas de Dos Patas has been featured in TimeOut Chicago and won ALTA’s 2019 Outstanding Improv Ensemble. Las Tinas has been featured in Telemundo and the Chicago Tribune. Jessi has produced comedy shows all over Chicago that focus on highlighting BIPOC, LBGTQIA+, disabled, and marginalized artists. Jessi believes that building shows for minority and diverse talent is important for the growth and advancement of art as a whole. Follow her on Instagram @jessirealz to see her hilarious stories!
Marilet Martínez
Born and raised in San Francisco, Marilet Martinez (she/they) is a queer, bilingual, multi disciplinary theatre artist, Leo Sun and Moon-Scorpio rising, bruja homegirl. As an empowerment focused, trauma informed educator, she has developed national programming for community wellness through arts intervention for over 15 years. They are a co-founder and co-artistic director of the nationally renowned, award winning, Chicago based, Latine improv and sketch comedy collective Ratas De Dos Patas. Marilet is also half of Tus Tias Productions, who’s sketch comedy cabaret show The Invocation of Selena has been featured at La Jolla Playhouse Latinx New Play Festival and the Latinx Theatre Commons Comedy Carnaval. As an actor, Marilet has originated roles in over 10 world premieres with envelope pushing companies in the Bay Area such as the Magic Theatre, the San Francisco Mime Troupe, Crowded Fire, Cutting Ball, Impact Theatre, Shotgun Players and more. Most recently, Marilet has relocated from Chicago back to her native California, where she is the Director of Youth and Community Arts and directs mainstage and outreach productions for PCPA Theatre. As an improviser, Marilet has performed as a company member at ComedySportz Chicago, Leela Improv’s the Armando Company, the all-female Harold team Sorry Not Sorry and her Latina duo Pura Pocha. Follow her on Instagram @mariletmartinezsf
Press
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Playbill
La Jolla Playhouse Announces Lineup For 2023 Latinx New Play Festival
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Howlround Theatre Commons
“Serving Lewks and Puro Class,” Tus Tías Explore the Legacy of Selena
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Chicago Sun-Times
Spanish-speaking set a first for Chicago Women’s Funny Festival
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Block Club Chicago
El Día De Los Muertos Shows In Logan Square Will Honor Essential Workers, People Lost During Pandemic: ‘We’ve Been Through So Much’
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TimeOut
Calaveras y Corazón - TimeOut Chicago feature
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Telemundo Chicago
“Calaveras y corazón”: una obra de teatro para celebrar el Día de Muertos
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WTTW
Calaveras y Corazón feature
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Teatro Vista Productions
Detective Q: A Moving Graphic Novel
