Martha Ormaza

Martha Ormaza Bermeo (July 13, 1959 – October 22, 2018) was an Ecuadorian actress, writer, and director, a member of the theatrical group Las Marujitas.

Biography Martha Ormaza was born in Alausí Canton on July 13, 1959. She considered herself a native of Quito, having lived in the Ecuadorian capital since her first year. At age two she began attending Los Pinos school.

She studied at the Central University of Ecuador's Faculty of Law and obtained a licentiate in public and social sciences. While accompanying her mother-in-law to the rehearsal of a play, she was asked to fill in for a cast member who was absent. She impressed the director, , as a natural performer, and he convinced her to dedicate herself to the theater. Ormaza was often identified with her character as Doña Encarna or Maruja Mona.

In her acting career, Ormaza participated in artistic workshops such as El Clown, El actor y el bufón, La Máscara, La Comedia del Arte, El Teatro Gestual, La voz: instrumento para la creación de personajes, El comic: medio de comunicación, La voz: instrumento pre expresivo, Ritmo y percusión, and Tango. She was also part of the company of the Teatro Patio de Comedias Cultural Corporation.

She acted in plays such as The Maids, The Vagina Monologues, Trama, dama y chocolate, Las Marujas entre tereques, Machos (directed by ), Maldita sea, No quiero ser bella, El miedo imaginario de Amparito A Dios, La Tránsito Smith ha sido secuestrada, La mierda, El eterno femenino, and Esperando al Coyot.

In 2013, Ormaza was diagnosed with cancer, which she would struggle with for several years. Together with her friends, she organized the "Qumiofarras", a gala of solidarity for people with cancer, with proceeds going toward their treatment. 2015's edition was carried out by friends on her behalf, as she could not attend due to health complications.

Recognition Ormaza received the Benjamin Carrión Award from the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana for her work in the theater. She was nominated for the Premio Eugenio Espejo, and in 2017 she won the Francisco Tobar García Award.