Carlos and Rosa Felipe Papers

Carlos Felipe was a Cuban playwright born in Havana, Cuba in 1914 and the brother of actress Rosa Felipe. He was most known for his play “Requiem for Yarini” which was written in the style of a Greek tragedy, and later was adapted into the film “Los Dioses Rotos” in 2008 by Ernesto Daranas. He wrote his first play at age 11, without actually having been to the theater or having received any formal education. In fact, he had to work to support his family from a young age and was self-taught. He studied grammar, literature, English and French as well as music. At age 13, he worked in a rubber import house of automobiles, brand "Hood", on Prado Street, cleaning and running errands. At age 17 he worked in a cafe on the Calzada de Vibora and San Francisco. In 1939, after winning the first prize in the theatrical competition organized by the Ministry of Education for his “Esta noche en el bosque,” Felipe decided to pursue a professional career in the theater world. His comedy “El chino” was premiered by El Grupo ADAD was a theater company directed by José Rubia Barcia in the 1940’s, which existed before Teatro Universitario. The play’s premier was directed by Modesto Centeno and premiered in 1939.

He worked at the Havana Customs Office for 32 years until after the Cuban Revolution. In 1961 he was taken to work as a literary advisor to the National Dramatic Ensemble and the Department of Theater and Dance of the National Council of Culture where he helped to produce and disseminate propaganda. His theatrical works, including some unpublished pieces include: Réquiem por Yarini (La Habana, Universidad Central de Las Villas. Dirección de Publicaciones, 1960.); Tambores (1943); El travieso Jimmy (1951); Esta noche en el bosque (1939); La bruja en el obenque; El alfabeto o la bata de encajes (1962); Los compadres, a melodrama; Capricho en rojo (1948); El Chino, a comedy (1947); Ladrillos de plata; Ibrahim; ¡De Película! A musical comedy, (October 17, 1963); El divertido viaje de Adelita Cossi, 1930's. In a 1966 interview, Felipe described his impetus for writing theatrical works as a need to communicate a feeling or sentiment.

Felipe won several prominent awards for his works including in 1947 he won Best Play for El Chino at the Concurso de Teatro ADAD. In 1948 he won Best Play for Capricho en rojo at the Concurso de Teatro ADAD and in 1951 he won first prize for El travieso Jimmy at the concurso teatral del Ministerio de Educación. In 1965, he served on the jury of the Casa de las Américas theater contest. Felipe expressed great optimism in the future of Cuban theater. He died in 1975.

Rosa Felipe was a Cuban actress. She was born on November 2nd, 1922 in Havana, Cuba. Her father was from the Valladolid province of Spain and her mother was Cuban. Felipe completed her early education at the Colegio Estrella de la Víbora in Havana. Later, she did her professional education at the Instituto de La Habana. She was also a self-taught typist, as well as master of handwriting, and a poet. She worked for the publication “Vanidades.”
Her acting career began in Cuba in the 1950´s, first in short scenes and dialogues from Spanish societies, and later, as a student in the Academia de Artes Dramáticas de la Escuela Libre de La Habana, where she received a competitive scholarship to attend. As a professional actress, she worked for various theater companies: Patronato del Teatro, Teatro Adad, Farseros, Theatralia, Teatro Universitario, as well as national radio stations and television broadcasts. She traveled to or worked in most parts of Cuba with each theater company she was part of. She was chosen to act alongside Francisco Petrone when he visited Havana and received high praise from critics. She acted the role of "Sara en el traspatio", under the direction of Rubén Vigón as well as the villain Ursula Betancourt in the telenovela "Mi apellido es Valdés". Felipe has won a total of 14 trophies, including the highest honor in television, the Gran Premio Avellaneda. She has appeared in many distinctive roles, from simple works to Greek tragedies, including the part of Yocasta de Medea. Her last work on Cuban television was in "Teresa Raquim", by Emilio Zola.

In 1971, she left Cuba for Madrid, Spain, and formed part of the Compañía Inglesa Nuevo Acento theater company in the capacity of director and actress. Part of her work was to produce recordings for Latin America and be a consultant for radio scripts. In 1974, she united with the community of exiled Cuban actors in Miami and continued her career in the United States. There she formed part of the group Repertorio Español in New York and the Compañia Dramatica under the direction of Spanish actor and director Alejandro Ulloa. She also presented a homage to José Martí called “El hombre sincero” written by Rene Buch, at el Museo Cubano de Arte y Cultura in Miami. In the 1990’s she appeared in telenovelas such as "El magnate", "Marielena", "Guadalupe", "Aguamarina,'' and "La mujer de mi vida." Rosa Felipe passed away in 2009.