Gabriela is a Bolivian-Chilean-American actress, dancer, and advocate based in the U.S.

She began performing flamenco at age 3 and later expanded into theater and contemporary dance. She has performed in Bolivia, Argentina, and with Des Moines groups including the Des Moines Playhouse, Gateway Dance Theater, and Ankeny Community Theatre.

She was nominated for a Cloris Award for Best Lead Performance and received the Outstanding Adult Performance award from the Des Moines Playhouse.

Her film career began with OXFAM’s Kino-La Paz 48-Hour Film Project and continued in the Des Moines 48 Hour Film Festival. She won Best Actress for Alone and Sinner by Duron Films.

Recent credits include Baby Doll (dir. Serena Fath), Pollo Guisado (dir. Teri Underhill), and Alien: Lost Transmission (dir. Connor Botts).

Gabriela holds a master’s degree in international studies focused on participatory action research. She leads organizing efforts around sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice (SRHRJ), and is always seeking new performance opportunities while balancing her passions for advocacy and the arts.

Awards

2023

Best actress

Short film “Sinner” – 48 Hour Film Project Des Moines

2023

Best actress

Short film “Alone” – 48 Hour Film Project Des Moines

2023

Outstanding Performance

Outstanding Performance in a JVT Play for the role of Tania Del Valle – Des Moines Playhouse Dionysos Award

2017

2nd Place

Student Research Fair with
the Project “Dancing Para Mi”

2014

2nd place

Best shortfilm
Nunca más
Kino La Paz 48hr project

2012

Best PLay

“Something stupid like I love you”
(Annie Hall Adaptation)
Festival de Teatro Vicu Vicu