Arantxa Chávez is a Peruvian theatre maker, improviser, and educator based in Philadelphia, PA. Growing up in Lima, Arantxa fell in love with street theatre and budget-friendly pockets of art, culminating in a bittersweet farewell and her first play, La Máquina de Nubes (2017). Since then, she has dedicated herself to developing a joyful practice, moved by cultural celebration, collective memory, and colorful minimalism. Her most recent and ongoing devising projects include: Molded Out of Faults: Reshaping Measure for Measure (Revolution Shakespeare, 2025), Bartok’s Monster (Pig Iron Theatre Company, 2024-25), 5 Stagehands Fall Out of a Closet: the goose crisis (G. Lazarz, M. Amendola, Fringies Best Comedy Nominee, 2025) La Picadura del Escorpión (Teatro Esperanza, 2025), and MADCAP & BUSTY (Fringies Best Cabaret/Nightlife Winner, 2024). 

Arantxa began her Improv journey in 2012, learning from Peruvian comedy legends such us Patricia Portocarrero and Pablo Saldarriaga. Upon moving to the US, she joined Colorado Springs’ first queer Improv troupe, Unsupervised Improv (Best of Springs Finalist, 2019), and went on to perform alongside them for many years. During this time, she also worked with other local staples including Theatreworks, The Millibo Art Theatre, Funky Little Theatre, and the beloved Meow Wolf: Convergence Station. From there, her background in physical comedy led her to the Pig Iron School in Philadelphia where she earned her MFA in Devised Performance. 

As a teaching artist, Arantxa thrives in collaboration, always striking a balance between playful exploration and rigor. Currently, she teaches and facilitates classes in devising, clown, mask work, improv, and project management. Locally, she has taught for Rowan University, Pig Iron School, Project 440, Philly Improv Theater, NYC PhysFest, among others. In development: Máscaras del Perú, a workshop series introducing folklore masks from the Peruvian Andes.