About
Maria Fontanals is an award-winning Spanish actress based in New York, as well as a faculty member at HB Studio, one of the original New York acting studios. She is also a member of the Academy of Performing Arts in Spain as well as Actor’s Equity Association. Maria has extensive experience on stage performing leading roles with renowned Off Broadway theaters. She is best known for portraying women who are strong, bold and powerful. Although she tends to play dramatic lead roles, she is a versatile actor who has excelled as comedic actress. Her witty sense of humor has led her to play roles like Dorothy Parker’s sarcastic, wry, and clever characters.
For her, acting is a great privilege. Being able to be a vessel for stories and inhabit so many lives is what inspires her. She is interested in truths and playing characters that audience could say: “Yes! I feel that way too, I’m not alone.”
Thank you for stopping by and let’s work!
Press
News
“Maria is nominated for an HOLA AWARD for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor by the Hispanic Organization Latin Actors for her role in El espacio entremedias”
“Maria was recently interviewed by the Voyage Houston Magazine where she spoke about her artistic journey and current projects. See full interview.“
“La monja alférez returns to the stage in the Fall 2025“
On Stage!
October-November 2025
La monja alférez
This extraordinary play challenged the idea of gender conformity 400 years ago. Teatro Círculo’s production reimagines La monja alférez as a play within a play set in a piano bar in present day New York City. The MC, a nonbinary pianist and opera singer, introduces the powerful true story of Guzmán (Catalina de Erauso).
Performed in Spanish with English subtitles.
Contact me
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