Mafer Roussell

Actress · Writer · Director · Producer

Mafer
Roussell

No solo cuenta historias —
crea las condiciones para que sean escuchadas.

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"The only way to do great work
is to love what you do."

— Steve Jobs
Mafer Roussell

Actress. Creator.
Cultural Producer.

Actriz, escritora, directora y productora mexicana radicada en Chicago. Su trabajo integra interpretación, creación y gestión cultural para desarrollar historias que generan reflexión, diálogo y conexión humana. A través del teatro, el cine y los proyectos comunitarios, impulsa espacios donde las voces latinas pueden ser escuchadas, desarrolladas y reconocidas.

Born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico, and a permanent resident of the United States, Mafer Roussell holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theater from the Universidad Veracruzana — where she was honored with the Dr. Rafael Medal in Academic Merit. She later earned a degree in Film Direction from the Escuela Veracruzana de Cine Luis Buñuel, and a degree in Screenwriting from Escuela Arte 7.

On stage, she has brought to life iconic characters across the works of Jean Genet, Eugène Ionesco, and original productions — from playing Erika in Mariposas Enjauladas (directed by Sebastián Ligarde) to her JEFF Award-nominated performance in Juicio a una Zorra. Her work in Las Criadas drew coverage from the Chicago Tribune.

As a filmmaker, she wrote and starred in Confesion, and wrote and directed the short film Dreamer — which won at international film festivals and was exhibited worldwide. She is the founding CEO of Alder Productions Inc., creating film, theater, multimedia, and cultural events including the Alder Christmas Festival and the Alder International Short Film Festival.

Beyond the stage, Mafer is a radio host, magazine contributor to Entretenimiento Latino, and the creator of Chiqui Me Guía — a cultural magazine for Latin American families living in the U.S.

30+ Years of Experience
8+ Theater Productions
7+ Film Credits

Selected Works

2024 – 2025

Juicio a una Zorra

Lead Role — Helena de Troya

Directed by Sebastián Ligarde · JEFF Award nominee Best Performer Principal Role (51st Edition)

2022 – 2023

La Jom Atenda

Lead Role

2019

Hotel O

Featured Role

Destinos Chicago International Latino Theater Festival

2019

La Cantante Calva

Lead Role — Mrs. Smith

Eugène Ionesco

2018

Las Criadas

Featured Role

Jean Genet · Covered by Chicago Tribune

2018

Mariposas Enjauladas

Lead Role — "Erika"

Adaptation by Edui Tijerina Chapa · Directed by Sebastián Ligarde · ALTA nominated Best Actress & Best Supporting Actress

2017 – 2018

La Boda S1 & S2

Role — "Luz María Bello"

Adapted from Que Gente Mi Gente · Family Bridges Production · Dir. Frederick Ford Beckley & Elsa Monroig

2016 & 2018

Los Monólogos de la Vagina

Lead Role

2022

280 Days

Featured Role

2022

El Anillo

Featured Role

2020

Confesion

Writer & Lead Actress

Original screenplay — played the main character

2018

Dreamer

Writer & Director

Short film & music video · Best Music Video — Tulum International Film Festival & Cuban American International Film Festival

2017

Imago

Featured Role

Directed by Peter Mastne

2017

El Que No Corre Vuela

Featured Role

Alpha Studios · Best Short Film — International Short Film Festival Prune, India

2016

Todo o Nada

Featured Role

Alder Productions Inc.

Founded and led by Mafer Roussell — creating film, theater, multimedia, and cultural spaces for the Latin community in Chicago and beyond.

🎬

Film & Theater

Original productions that amplify Latino voices across stage and screen.

🎙️

Podcast & Media

Cine Entre Amigos — film review podcast for the Spanish-speaking community. Cultural media that bridges entertainment and identity.

🌎

Alder International Short Film Festival

An international platform showcasing independent filmmakers and connecting the global Latin community through cinema.

Cultural Events

Alder Christmas Festival and cultural gatherings that generate spaces for artists and the Latin community in Chicago.

Connecting the
Latin Community

Podcast

Cine Entre Amigos

2021 – 2024

Film review podcast hosted and produced by Mafer — discussing cinema through a Latino lens.

Radio

De la 1 a las 3

2016 – Present · La Nueva 1450 AM

Weekly radio program co-hosted with Javier Salas, reaching the Spanish-speaking community in Chicago.

Radio · TV

Ladies Night

2017 – 2020 · ARANAVA TV Entertainment

Entertainment program celebrating Latina voices in media and culture.

Magazine

Chiqui Me Guía

Creator & Editor

Cultural magazine for Latin American families living in the U.S. Also contributor to Entretenimiento Latino.

Awards & Nominations

JEFF Award

Nominee — Best Performer in a Principal Role
51st Edition

Juicio a una Zorra · 2024

ALTA Award

Nominee — Best Actress
& Best Supporting Actress

Mariposas Enjauladas · 2018

Best Music Video

Tulum International Film Festival
Cuban American International Film Festival

Dreamer · 2018

Best Short Film

International Short Film Festival Prune
India

El Que No Corre Vuela · 2017

Training & Education

1995

Bachelor's Degree — Theater

Universidad Veracruzana · Xalapa, Veracruz, México
Dr. Rafael Medal in Academic Merit

2013

Film Direction

Escuela Veracruzana de Cine Luis Buñuel · México

2012

Screenwriting

Escuela Arte 7 · México

Workshops
Workshop

Actuar sin Prejuicio a partir del Subconsciente

By Sebastián Ferrat · Chicago, IL

Workshop

Técnica Meisner

By Sebastián Ligarde · Chicago, IL

Workshop

Guionismo Cinematográfico

By Edui Tijerina Chapa · Chicago, IL

Mafer Roussell — Comp Card

Mafer Roussell

Actress · Director · Writer

Height5'10" / 177 cm
Weight130 lbs / 59 kg
EyesBrown
HairBrown, Long
Based inChicago, Illinois
LanguagesSpanish · English
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Let's Work
Together

For casting inquiries, collaborations, and bookings

maferroussell@gmail.com

Based in Chicago, Illinois