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Exal Iraheta (he/his) is a Chicago-based Salvi-American playwright, screenwriter, and teaching artist by way of Houston, TX. Humorous and provocative, his work explores the intersections of cultural and gender identity, family, violence, sexuality, and magic through his lens as a brown, queer, first-generation American son. Notable works include Last Hermanos (A Red Orchid), They Could Give No Name, and Open Venas (Theatre Masters). 

Honors include The Chance Theatre's 2022 Resident Playwright, 2020/2021 Goodman Theatre's Playwrights Unit member, Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center NPC Finalist, National Playwrights Conference finalist, Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award finalist, honorable mention American Playwriting Foundation's 2019 Relentless Award, and 2018 Fornés Playwriting Workshop playwright. He was also featured in the May/June 2020 issue of American Theatre Magazine as part of its "People to Watch" list.

His work has been developed and presented by: A Red Orchid, The Goodman Theatre, Northwestern University, Victory Garden's Ignition Festival, The Magic Theatre's Virgin New Play Festival, The Chance Theatre, The Untold Collectiv (UK), Theatre Masters, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Gene Siskel Film Center, iO Chicago, & Annoyance Theatre Chicago.  

Exal earned an MFA from Northwestern University's Writing for the Screen and Stage program and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Film & Video Production. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Instruction & Academic Advisor for the School of Communication at Northwestern University.

On the weekends, Exal enjoys walks with his husband while wishing he could bring along his gray and white domestic short-hair cat, Ezra.