Juan Francisco Villa is a New York City 1st generation Colombian-American who proudly calls Chicago his artistic home, although he has recently relocated to Los Angeles. As a multifaceted artistic creator, he focuses on acting, directing, writing, and teaching.
Juan's television acting highlights include being directed by Eric Stoltz on MADAM SECRETARY, acting alongside Tea Leoni, and working with the cast of CHICAGO PD. He also made his guest-starring debut as Detective Orjuela on BETRAYAL.
On stage, Juan has appeared in the New York Times Critics Pick OEDIPUS EL REY, directed by Chay Yew at the Public Theater, and played the iconic role of Tennessee Williams in THE GENTLEMAN CALLER, directed by Tony Especiale at the Cherry Lane Theater.
He will soon be starring in the independent feature film EYES UPON WAKING, playing a suicidal American War Vet struggling with PTSD after serving four tours in the Iraq War.
As a director, Juan has co-directed the upcoming docu-drama COLUMBINUS, based on interviews with those affected by the Columbine shooting, at the 1st Stage Theater in Washington D.C. He has also co-directed JESUS HOPPED THE A-TRAIN, which received two Helen Hayes Awards.
Juan's playwriting credits include his autobiographical solo play EMPANADA FOR A DREAM, which has been performed in multiple cities, including New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Washington D.C. His ensemble play DON CHIPOTLE premiered at the Chicago DCASE Storefront Theater. He is currently developing his follow-up solo play FINDING PANCHO, which explores his relationship with his father who disappeared in Colombia.
This past summer, Juan was accepted into the Maria Irene Fornes Playwriting Workshop in Chicago, where he developed his newest work, False Evidence Appearing Real or Cosmic Lovers. He has participated in writing workshops led by MacArthur Geniuses Luis Alfaro and Han Ong, as well as Erin Courtney, John Jesurun, Zakiyyah Abdul-Rahim Alexander, and April Yvette-Thompson.
Juan has received numerous awards and grants, including four Chicago DCASE grants and a PBS Latino New Media Finalist award. His other written works include THE BIG APPLE, TEARS OF HOPE, CAN YOU HEAR ME..., WANNA BE STARTING SOMETHING, COPPAZZ, and WHEN MY FATHER DIED...
