Natalia Arroyave (Colombia)
Natalia is an actress, theatre teacher, and cultural manager with over 10 years of theatre experience. She holds a BFA in Performing Arts with a major in Dramatic Theatre from El Bosque University. During her fellowship with Hand2Mouth theatre, Natalia supported the development of Hand2Mouth’s International Program as the LATAM regional specialist and facilitated its theatre Summer Camp as a teacher. She also co-wrote and performed the theatre piece 'Y recuerda Tichangoshaina' at 21ten Theatre in Portland with Lonesome Kudzai, a former fellow from Zimbabwe. Natalia has extensive experience in designing, executing, and managing impactful projects across government, NGO, and private sectors in Latin America and the United States. She has been recognized internationally for her work, awarded the Fellowship Community Engagement Exchange Program by the U.S. Department of State, and several grants from Colombia’s Ministry of Culture. Natalia is known for her leadership, creativity, and dedication to promoting art and youth participation on a national and international level.
“The fellowship was a life-changing experience that continues to have a lasting impact on me. It's been almost two years since I started this journey, and the lessons, achievements, and dreams fulfilled still resonate deeply with me. It still feels as fresh and meaningful as ever. When I first set out on this path — even before arriving in the United States — I imagined what it would be like to step into the unknown: a new country, a different culture, unfamiliar faces, and so many things to discover. What I didn’t expect was just how much this experience would shape me, inspiring me to keep using art to make a positive impact on the world.
When I applied for the fellowship, I hoped to gain new tools and ideas to expand my work. What I found was so much more. I connected with an organization dedicated to restoring social justice through theater, a Chinese-American host family who welcomed me with open arms, and fellow artists whose friendships have become treasures. And, on top of that, I met an American who still steals my heart to this day. Spending time with (H2M lead Program Directors) Jonathan, Michael, Jenni, Geo, and the other fellows was a gift — we quickly became like family, creating a sense of home in a second country that I still carry in my heart.
Looking back on those months, I realize how much I grew and learned about myself. Through the fellowship, I uncovered sides of myself that I hadn’t fully recognized before. I came to understand that I’m not just an actress — I’m also an artist, a cultural manager, and a community leader. It gave me a new sense of purpose and the confidence to let go of doubts and insecurities that had been holding me back.
Even now, I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made this experience possible and to the people I met along the way. The fellowship reminded me that dreams really can come true, and that it’s always worth it to keep dreaming. Two years later, I know that the lessons I learned and the experiences I had will continue to guide me and shape my life in the years to come.”
Learn, Follow and Connect:
Email: natalia@hand2mouththeatre.org
Instagram: @natty.arroyave
Natalia was placed with Hand2Mouth Theatre as part of the Spring 2023 Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX.