Zaldívar helped found the theater more than 40 years ago. Since that time, the company -- with Zaldívar often serving as producer -- has presented more than 250 plays, ranging from 17th-century Spanish-language classics to original, commissioned works by emerging American-born Hispanic playwrights.

He is survived by Robert Weber Federico, his companion, who also succeeded Zaldívar as Repertorio Español's executive director in 2005.