Mercedes Bátiz-Benét (she/her) is a Mexican-Canadian playwright, director, and multidisciplinary artist, honoured to live and create on the territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən, WSÁNEĆ, and Wyomilth peoples. Known for emotionally potent, poetic work, she is the Artistic Director of Puente Theatre and the Co-Artistic Producer of the Great Works Theatre Festival. Recent credits include Blood Wedding: The Forest Remembers, Fado: The Saddest Music in the World, and Miss Julie. Awards include the Canadian Stage Award for Direction, the PARC Mid-Career Artist Award, and the JAYMAC Award for Outstanding Production.