Abel González Melo

Bachelor's degree in Theater Studies from the University of the Arts of Cuba and Master's degree in Theater from the Complutense University of Madrid. He is a playwright and theater director. He graduated in Theater Studies from the Higher Institute of Art of Cuba (2002) and holds a Master's degree in Theatrical Arts from the Complutense University of Madrid (2011), where he is now completing his doctorate.

He completed his training at the Royal Court Theatre in London, the Maxim Gorki Theatre in Berlin, and the Odin Teatret Holstebro. He has a dozen theatrical texts, translated into several languages, published in Spain, Italy, France, the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Turkey, and Cuba.

In 2012 he received the Cultura Viva Award in Madrid for his entire literary production. Since 2010 he has been director of the Theater of Carlos III University of Madrid, where he has mounted works by authors such as García Lorca and Lope de Vega. 2020 Casa de las Américas Prize.

As a playwright, he has seen his works Chamaco and Por Gusto performed, both with great public success. Within his dramatic production, "Ubú sin cuernos," "Adentro," and "Nevada" also stand out. He is editor of the Cuban journal of performing arts Tablas. He has worked as a dramatic advisor for Teatro El público and Origami Teatro and is a member of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC).

His works have appeared in numerous Cuban cultural publications such as Tablas, Revista Revolución y Cultura, El Caimán Barbudo, La Gaceta de Cuba, La Mojiganga, Manita en el suelo, Extramuros, Gestus, Perro huevero, Cúpulas, La Jiribilla, Cubaliteraria, Actualidad Escénica Cubana, as well as in the Spanish journal Encuentro.

Among his books of theatrical essays are "Cada vez que te digo lo que siento". "Cercanías con Abelardo Estorino" (2005), "La ciudad sitiada". "Teatro y palabra en Antón Arrufat" (2006, National Prize for Research in Performing Arts) and "Festín de los patíbulos". "Poéticas teatrales y tensión social" (2009, Alejo Carpentier Prize and Literary Criticism Prize).

He has fifteen dramatic works, premiered, translated, and published in various countries, short story and poetry books, and has written the screenplays for the films "Chamaco" and "La partida". For his entire literary production, he received the Cultura Viva Award in Madrid.

Since 2009, he has been part of the Research Group "Analysis of Current Spanish-Language Drama" directed by Dr. José Luis García Barrientos at the CSIC.

Currently, he is a specialized editor in performing arts at the Tablas-Alarcos House in Havana, directs the Theater Workshop at Carlos III University of Madrid, and teaches Screenwriting at King Juan Carlos University.

Awards and Recognition
He has been recognized by the public and critics in theater, narrative, and poetry through the awards he has received:

First Prize in the Spanish Embassy Drama Competition (2005) for Chamaco, which is considered his most outstanding dramatic production.
Alejandro Carpentier Essay Prize (2009)
Calendario Prize for his work El hábito y la virtud (2005)
Calendario Prize for his work Temor del que contempla (2002)
Calendario Prize for his work Memorias de cera (1998)
National José Jacinto Milanés Prize for his work Adentro (2005)
National Prize for his work Ubú sin cuernos (2002)
Mario Rodríguez Alemán Theater Criticism Prize from the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), (2004)
Dador Prize awarded by the Cuban Book Institute for Ubú sin cuernos 2003
Luis Rogelio Nogueras Prize for Perderás la tierra 2004
Yorich 2001 Essay Prize for El teatro que nos falta

Published Books
Chamaco. Theater. Ñaque Editora. Ciudad Real. Spain, 2006
Cada vez que te digo lo que siento. Cercanías con Abelardo Estorino. Chronicle and essay. Ediciones Reina del Mar, Cuba, 2005.
La casa del herrero. Short story. Editorial Letras Cubanas, 2004.
Temor del que contempla. Poetry. Casa Editora Abril, Cuba, 2004.
Perderás la tierra. Short story. Ediciones Extramuros, Cuba, 2002.
La gansa de plata. Theater. Ediciones Extramuros, 2000.
Memorias de cera. Short story. Casa Editora Abril, Cuba, 2000.
Vendré mañana a despedirte. Cinco juegos de traición. Theater. Editorial Letras Cubanas, 2014.