Francis Parra - 23 Who Made a Difference in RI in 2023

Francis Parra - 23 Who Made a Difference in RI in 2023

Teatro ECAS, for some, is an overnight success with its new home on Valley Street, but the theatre company is more than 25 years in development.

This is the first time the company has had its own theater.

And, one of the key players in creating the dynamic theatre company is Francis Parra.

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She is an educator and “champion of the arts her entire life.”

Born in the Dominican Republic, where she studied advertising and communications at APEC University in Santo Domingo, Parra became a leader in the arts when she came to Rhode Island.

Parra has written, directed, and produced dozens of plays and taught acting for more than two decades. 

She has received numerous honors over the years.

As artistic director of Teatro ECAS, she has been a key driver in the growth of the theatre.

She was named Grand Marshal of PVDFest In 2018 and she was awarded the Tom Roberts Award for Creative Achievement from the RI State Council on the Humanities. 

Beyond everything else she does for the theatre, she teaches at the elementary school level in Pawtucket Public Schools.