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Growing up in Lima, Peru, Ana María Estrada was convinced that cameras were following her. She would walk around the house, explaining how to clean a table or wash the dishes, speaking to an imaginary audience. Her family didn’t quite know what to make of it, but her mother eventually recognized her daughter’s passion for performing, enrolling her in acting classes when she was nine. Estrada immediately felt at home.
Years later, Estrada's family moved to the United States, where she continued pursuing acting. In New York, she founded RASGOS, a theater company that brought together Latin American performers and set up a production back in Peru. She appeared in films and television series, including Girl in Progress, Santa Rosa de Lima, and San Martín de Porres.
© Ana María EstradaEstrada's career has also taken her behind the camera. She produced and starred in the Peruvian film La amante del libertador, which earned her a Best Actress nomination at Spain’s Islantilla festival. Along the way, she received recognition for her contributions to the arts at the White House, where she also had the opportunity to perform.
Estrada now leads HOLA (Hispanic Organization of Latin Artists), which has been helping Latino performers find opportunities in New York since 1975. In October 2025, she celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala honoring stars like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ariana DeBose. She also used the occasion to introduce a bigger vision for the organization, opening its doors to writers, directors, designers, and other Latino artists.
© Ana María EstradaThis summer, the six-time Tony Award nominee Emilio Sosa joined HOLA as chair after Estrada invited him. Two months later, she brought members together in New York to meet the new leadership team and share ideas for the organization’s future.
Estrada continues developing projects of her own, including a feature film she is writing. As a little girl in Lima, acting first captured her imagination. Now, decades later, she's helping create a place where more Latino artists can chase those same dreams.
