Tatyana-Marie Carlo is a Puerto Rican director from Miami. Credit: americanstage/Flickr

St. Petersburg’s American Stage continues its tradition of staging award-winning plays when its latest production opens this week.

Winner of the 1996 Obie Award—which honors off-Broadway’s best works—Carmen Rivera’s “La Gringa” follows the journey of a young Puerto Rican girl named Maria Elena Garcia in a search for her identity.

After visiting her homeland for the first time in an effort to connect with her culture, she realizes that she’s seen as an American in the eyes of Puerto Ricans, but Puerto Rican in the eyes of her fellow New Yorkers. Encapsulating the motto of “identity isn’t based on definitions, it’s an essence in your heart,” this poignant performance directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo (pictured) explores themes of race, ethnicity and “otherness.”

“La Gringa” shows at American Stage’s Raymond James Theatre Wednesday-Sunday through Aug.13, with tickets starting at $45. Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.