Alina Collins Maldonado
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Alina Collins Maldonado in several productions over the years, including Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Everybody and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company’s BLKS. Both roles were incredibly satisfying and caught my eye. But it wasn’t until Jardín Salvaje that I could fully become enchanted by her extraordinary talent. It is very special to see an actor so relaxed onstage — sometimes there’s an excess of energy, like the actor’s internal rhythm is too strong. Collins Maldonado has the remarkable gift of becoming utterly real on stage, and through this relaxation, the character can live, breathe, and play with ease. Her performance was passionate, energetic, and sincere, with fantastic objectives and comedic timing — it was honestly a masterclass. If I was casting a production, there would be no audition for Collins Maldonado. She would be an “offer only”.
Alina Collins Maldonado (she/her) steals scenes as a gloriously commanding Olivia—decked in sheer sleeves, black satin, and bedazzled boots, she lounges on a velvet throne like a regency dominatrix. Her tone, full of modern sass (“I heard you were saucy at my gates”), lands like an invitation to battle or bed—or both.
MD Theatre Guide, Teniola Ayoola
Twelfth Night
Maldonado’s Olivia is equal parts regal bad-ass and passionate sweetheart, and the actor excels in the moments when the character shifts her mood or role.
Washington Unbound, Norah Vawter
Twelfth Night
Maldonado’s passionate defense of her husband and her home is especially remarkable: as she stands her ground against Nicolás’ equally impassioned and powerful performance, her performance carries a power that leaves the audience in awe.
-Ajani Jones, DC Theatre Arts
Jardín Salvaje
"The marvelously real Alina Collins Maldonado. Her performance as Tania was brimming with a vibrantly captivating inner life. Watching her swiftly navigate moments of sincere passion and explosive intensity was endlessly impressive - she tackled a very complex character with astounding finesse, and she enriched each scene with remarkable creative energy."
-UnProfessional Opinion
Jardin Salvaje
"Maldonaldo’s use of gesticulation and voice to embellish story passages, while seamlessly serving as all three of the characters’ fathers, is truly masterful.”
Maya Oliver, MDTHEATRE GUIDE
How We Got On
"Through her emotive eyes and flashing smile, Maldonado blends barrio swagger with tender vulnerability"
Ben Demers, DC THEATRE SCENE
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
"It's a gutsy performance in that we don't expect it and yet, it works to great success."
Benjamin Tomchik, BROADWAY WORLD
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
"As the boastful, foul-mouthed, trash-talking Saint Monica, Alina Collins Maldonado sets the tone early for the high stakes court room hijinks and her spirited, scene stealing, historical revisionism that brings flava to Purgatory and laugh out loud laughs."
Sydney Chanele-Dawkins, DC METRO THEATER ARTS
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
"Maldonado shifts seamlessly between characters making clear physical and vocal differentiation among her many characters. She is an adept and captivating storyteller.”
Pamela Roberts, BROADWAY WORLD
How We Got On
Alina Collins Maldonado showcases her distinct and strong stage presence once again as Maid Marian and Much. I've seen her in four shows in the last year and a half and her performances always wow me. This one is no exception.
Elliot Lanes, BROADWAY WORLD
Robin Hood
"endowed with an impressive emotional range, Maldonado sensitively projects a portrait of a young woman, brimming with passionate sensuality”
Rosalind Lacy, DC THEATRE SCENE
Los empenos de una casa
"She pulls this off on the strength of her charisma and total commitment each second she’s on stage."
Jessica Vaughan, DC METRO THEATER ARTS
How We Got On