Born and raised on New York"s Lower East Side (Alphabet City), she co-founded THE POINT Community Development Corporation (Hunts Point) in 1993 and Universes (poetic theatre ensemble) (1996), both in collaboration with Steven Sapp. Universes (poetic theatre ensemble) currently consists of four core members: Steven Sapp, Mildred Ruiz-Sapp, Gamal Abdel Chasten and William Ruiz (aka Ninja). 2008 Jazz at Lincoln Center Rhythm Road Tour.
2008 Jazz at Lincoln Center Rhythm Road Tour; 2008 TCGTheatre Communications Group - Peter Zeisler Award; 2002-2004 and 1999-2001 TCGTheatre Communications Group National Theater Artist Residency Program Award; 2002 BRIO Awards (Bronx Recognizes its own-Singing) from The Bronx Council on the Arts; 1999 OBIE Award Grant (The Point Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & Live From Theater Theater) 1999 Bessie Awards (The Point Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 1998 Union Square Award recipient Company-Founder of The Point Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; New York Theatre Workshop Usual Suspect; Board Member: National Performance Network Former Board member: Network of Ensemble TheatersBard College, Bachelor ’89. Publications: UNIVERSES-THE BIG BANG (2010 releaseTCG Books); SLANGUAGE in The Fire This Time (TCG).
