Leigh Henderson
published La Quinta Teatro's Salomón Santiago in Raíces Blog
2019-08-09 20:09:14 -0700
Leigh Henderson
published La Quinta Teatro's Viridiana Mendoza in Raíces Blog
2019-08-09 20:07:00 -0700
Leigh Henderson
published La Quinta Teatro's Carolina Pimentel in Raíces Blog
2019-08-09 20:06:06 -0700
Raíces Blog
La Quinta Teatro's Salomón Santiago
Posted by Leigh Henderson · August 09, 2019 8:09 PMLa Quinta Teatro's Viridiana Mendoza
Posted by Leigh Henderson · August 09, 2019 8:07 PMLa Quinta Teatro's Carolina Pimentel
Posted by Leigh Henderson · August 09, 2019 8:06 PM
Introduction
Follow this blog to keep up to date with Teatro Visión's progress creating Raíces: El libro de los caminos / Roots:The Book of Journeys, a new work of theater we're creating with La Quinta Teatro with funding from a Hewlett Foundation 50 Arts Commission.
Macario
As envisioned by Teatro Visión's Founding Artistic Director Elisa Marina Alvarado and our nationally renowned team of commissioned artists, Teatro Visión’s Macario marries elements of spectacle, music, and dance in culturally authentic and visually exciting ways. Bringing Macario to the stage was a decade-long effort for Elisa, who worked for over three years to secure the rights to adapt the story, eventually being granted exclusive permission to do so by the family members of author B. Traven.
Set in the Viceregal era, when Mexico was still New Spain, the parable-like story of Macario features three spirits who attempt to persuade the title character, Macario, to reflect on his choices when he comes into the fortune of getting a full turkey to eat. It is a work steeped in history that has become part of the fabric of Mexican culture. Adapted from the original novel in 1960, Macario became the first film from Mexico to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Teatro Visión worked for more than a year with award-winning playwright Evelina Fernández to complete the Macario script and bilingual translation, in a creative process that included exploration of the novel’s themes through individual interviews with 23 residents of the Mayfair community of East San José and dialogues with organizations working to address hunger and access to healthy food in Silicon Valley. Composer Dr. Russell Rodríguez crafted a cycle of original music for the production and original choreography was created by Maria de la Rosa, one of the founding members of local dance company Los Lupeños de San José. The development process included screenings of the film, exploratory workshops, and script readings, all open to the community.
Teatro Visión produced the world premiere of Macario in October 2013, then remounted the production in October 2014, 2015, and 2016. Look for Macario to return to our stage in October 2019.Macario Artists
Composer Russell Rodríguez is an accomplished musician specializing in performance styles of huasteca, jarocho, mariachi, and other traditional music forms of México. His theater credits include working with San José Repertory Theater and El Teatro Campesino.
Playwright Evelina Fernández is an award-winning actor, playwright and screenwriter. Her epic A Mexican Trilogy: An American Story, which consists of her plays Faith, Hope, and Charity, was recently staged at the Los Angeles Theatre Center by the Latino Theater Company.
Original production Director and former Teatro Visión Artistic Director Elisa Marina Alvarado is a founding member of Teatro Visión and served as Artistic Director until 2017. As an actress, director and community organizer she has been active in the Chicano movement for over thirty years. Elisa has taught theater for Teatro Visión, San José State University, San Francisco State University and many community organizations. She developed a new works program, Codices, through which Teatro Visión has produced world premieres for plays including Conjunto by Oliver Mayer and Boxcar by Silvia Gonzalez.
Collaborative Poetry
In the fall of 2017 Teatro Visión worked with poet Yosimar Reyes to create nine original poems related to the themes of our production of La Muerte Baila, devised by Rebecca Martinez and the Milagro Theater Ensemble. Yosimar wrote a series of fill-in-the-blank prompts, which Teatro Visión distributed in our community through mail, email, social media, and at in-person events.
More than 400 people responded to the prompts. Using those responses, Yosimar wrote nine poems. One of these poems was read from the stage at each performance of La Muerte Baila in October 2017.
Read all nine poems.
The collaborative poetry project was made possible by a grant from the City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs as part of the Creating Connection initiative.
About Yosimar Reyes
Yosimar Reyes is the artist in residence at Define American, a media and culture organization dedicated to shifting the conversation surrounding immigration and identity in a changing America. He is a nationally acclaimed poet, educator, performance artist, and public speaker. Born in Guerrero, Mexico, and raised in East San Jose, California, Reyes explores the themes of migration and sexuality in his work.
Jobs
Working at Teatro Visión
Teatro Visión is not currently hiring for any year-round staff positions, but we are always eager to meet artists and production personnel interested in working on our shows or classes. If you would like to be considered, please send us a resume and a cover letter telling us a little about yourself and your interest in Teatro Visión to teatro@teatrovision.org.Teatro Visión is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
Senior Stories
Teatro Visión teamed up with local playwright Cristal González to create more intergenerational connections in our community. Cristal gathered stories from seniors and elders in our community and created nine 1-minutes plays. We debuted one of these plays at each performance of Departera in October 2018. Audience members at Departera were invited to leave a note at a kiosk in the lobby to let the seniors who so generously shared their stories know that their stories were heard and appreciated.
Cristal is now working on the next phase of the Senior Stories project, developing the senior stories into a longer, portable performance piece.
Read all nine plays and audience responses.
The Senior Stories project is made possible by an Audience Engagement Project Grant and an X Factor Grant from Silicon Valley Creates.
About Cristal González Avila
A company member with El Teatro Campesino and Baktun12, Cristal González Avila is a first generation Chicana actress, playwright, poet and director from Watsonville, CA. She holds a B.A in Theater Arts from San Jose University and is a Reed Award recipient for Excellence in Acting and Oral Interpretation. Her recent work includes "La Sombra" (The Shadow) a solo performance, a full length play PIERNAS: The Story Between Our Legs, and her book of poetry Sombra Mia (January 2019).
Teatro Visión is proud to stand with an overwhelming majority of Americans in defending the DREAMers!
Teatro Vision’s Board of Directors, administrators, and artistic staff stand united in opposition to the President’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and we urge our Congressional representatives to pass legislation to protect the 800,000 immigrant youth in America who benefit from this program before it is ended."DREAMers" have been raised and educated in America. They contribute to American communities and economies. They believe in American values. This is the country they call home. They chose to participate in the DACA program because they believed their government would protect them — like any American.Rescinding DACA will force these young people back into the shadows. It will tear families apart and create a void in our communities. We cannot stand by while our friends and neighbors have their lives uprooted.Here are 3 things you can do to support the rights of immigrants and the DACA program:1) SIGN - The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is asking individuals to sign a petition calling on Congress to protect DACA recipients by passing the 2017 DREAM Act.2) STAND - Click here to learn more and take action in your community.3) SHARE - Post your support of the DACA program on social media, and include the hashtags #DefendDACA and #HeretoStay.As a leader in Chicanx/Latinx theater and culture for more than three decades, Teatro Visión remains grounded in the values of respect for all, celebration of diversity and positive cultural identity, and a desire for social justice. We thank you for standing with us and with our young DREAMers at this crucial moment.
Strategic Plan
Teatro Visión's current strategic plan covers the year 2017-18 through 2019-20. The major goals outlined in the plan are 1) Increase Teatro Visión’s year-round presence in our community; 2) Build Teatro Visión’s capacity (finances, staff, board, and pool of artists).
Highlights of the plan include:
- The world premiere of Teatro Visión’s Departera, in October 2018, with a script by Evelina Fernández and original music by Russell Rodríguez. This play is currently being developed through a collaborative process in and with the local community.
- The launch of a new intensive theater youth program for ages 12-18 in spring 2018, consisting of 6 weeks of workshops culminating in a production of Sandra Cisneros’s classic coming-of-age story The House on Mango Street. With funding from Santa Clara County, this program will outreach particularly to the County’s most at-risk youth, such as those in the County foster care system.
- The elimination, as of the end of 2017-18, of the last remaining liabilities on Teatro Visión’s balance sheet.
Read the full 2017-2020 Strategic Plan, including mid-plan updates
Youth Production
Teatro Visión's 2020 youth production is Esperanza Rising. Young people age 12-18 will be invited to audition.Based on classic book by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising is a classic coming-of-age story about 12-year-old Esperanza. It's 1929 and, when tragedy strikes her family, Esperanza has to leave her life of wealth and privilege in México for a migrant labor camp in California. In this strange new place, Esperanza learns about strength, hope, and perseverance.Performances: April 30 - May 2, 2020Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San José, CA 95116Rehearsals begin in March, 2020Auditions in February, 2020For more information, email Dianne Vega Dianne@teatrovision.org or call Dianne Vega at (408) 294-6621.
La producción juvenil de Teatro Visión para el 2020 es Esperanza Renace. Los jóvenes de 12-18 se les invitará a audicionar.Basada en la novela clásica de Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Renace es una historia clásica de despertar de juventud acerca de Esperanza, una jovencita de 12 años. Es 1929 y cuando la tragedia cae sobre la familia, Esperanza tiene que cambiar su vida de abudancia y privilegio en México por un campamento para migrantes en California. En este nuevo y extraño lugar, Esperanza aprende acerca de la fortaleza, la esperanza y la perseverancia.Funciones: 30 de abril - 20 de mayo del 2020Plaza de la Herencia Mexicana, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San José, CA 95116Ensayos inician en marzo del 2020Las audiciones serán en febrero del 2020.Para más información, contactar a Dianne Vega por correo electrónico a Dianne@teatrovision.org o llamando al (408) 294-6621.
This project is made possible by support from Santa Clara County and the California Arts Council.
Youth Programs
Teatro Visión ensures the future of Chicanx theater through our youth programs that train the next generation of teatristas – skilled actors who are committed to culture-based, bilingual theater.Questions? Email us at Teatro@TeatroVision.org or call us at (408) 294-6621.
Teatro Visión asegura el futuro del teatro Chicanx a través de nuestros programas para jóvenes que entrenan a la nueva generación de teatristas - actores y actrices calificados y comprometidos con el teatro bilingϋe con base en nuestra cultura.¿Preguntas? Puede contactarnos por correo electrónico a Teatro@TeatroVision.org o llamando al (408) 294-6621.
Shows
Macario
October 10-20, 2019Adapted for the stage by Evelina Fernández with Teatro VisiónOriginal music by Russell RodríguezDirected by Rodrigo GarcíaAdaptada para el escenario por Evelina Fernández y Teatro VisiónMúsica original de Russell RodríguezDirección general por Rodrigo García
Senior Stories (working title)
One night only!January 11, 2020By Cristal González Avila
Esperanza Rising
April 30 - May 2, 2020By Lynne AlvarezMusic by Victor ZupancBased on the Book by Pam Muñoz RyanProduced by special arrangement with Plays for Young AudiencesEscrita por Lynne AlvarezMusica de Victor ZupancBasada en el libro de Pam Muñoz RyanProducida bajo un arreglo especial con Plays for Young AudiencesTo purchase tickets by phone, call 1-800-838-3006 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Spanish language operators available.Para comprar boletos por teléfono, llame al 1-800-838-3006 las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana.Operadores en español disponibles.
Ticket Pricing Policy
Choose Your Own Price Tickets
No matter what price you choose to pay, you get the same general admission ticket and you see the same exciting show.Welcome to the theater - $10If you don't have much cash to spare, Teatro Visión is for you!RECOMMENDED: Regular ticket price - $20This is our standard ticket price - though it doesn't cover all the costs of producing our shows.Full event cost - $30This is how much every member of the audience would have to pay to cover the costs of our productions.Arts patron - $40If you can afford to pay a little more - THANK YOU! This makes it possible for someone else to pay a little less.Questions? Email us at Teatro@TeatroVision.org or call us at (408) 294-6621.
Elija el precio de su boleto
No importa el precio que decida pagar, usted tendrá el mismo boleto de admisión general a tan exitosa obra.Bienvenidos al teatro - $10Si no tienes mucho efectivo para gastar ¡Teatro Visión es para ti!RECOMENDADO: Precio regular - $20Este es nuestro boleto a precio regular – aunque no cubre el costo de producir nuestras obras.Precio completo - $30Esto es lo que cada miembro pagaría para cubrir el costo de nuestras producciones.Mecenas - $40Si puedes pagar un poquito más - ¡GRACIAS! Esto hace posible que otras personas puedan pagar un poco menos.¿Preguntas? Envíenos un correo electrónico a Teatro@TeatroVision.org o llámenos al (408) 294-6621.
Past Productions
Teatro Visión has been creating visionary Chicanx/Latinx theater in San José for more than three decades. Here is a look back at our past productions.
THE TRANSITION OF DOODLE PEQUENO by Gabriel Jason Dean, March 2019
DEPARTERA by Evelina Fernández with Teatro Visión, October 2018
THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET adapted for the stage by Amy Ludwig from The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, May 2018
LA MUERTE BAILA an original Milagro Theater Día de los Muertos production devised by Rebecca Martinez and the Milagro Theater Ensemble, October 2017
MACARIO by B. Traven, Adapted by Evelina Fernández with Teatro Visión, October 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016
SOLITUDE by Evelina Fernández, Directed by José Luis Valenzuela, Produced by Latino Theater Company (Los Angeles), February 2012
BLESS ME, ULTIMA, by Rudolfo Anaya, Directed by Elisa Marina Alvarado, March 2011
PERLA by Leonard Madrid, Directed by Elisa Marina Alvarado, May 2010
TAKING FLIGHT by Adriana Sevan, February 2010
GHOSTS OF THE RIVER by Octavio Solis, Directed by Larry Reed, October 2009
THE WOMAN WHO FELL FROM THE SKY by Victor Hugo Rascón Banda, January-February 2009
LA CASA EN MANGO STREET by Sandra Cisneros, Adapted by Amy Ludwig with translation by Elena Poniatowska, October 2008
HERO by Luis Alfaro, April 2008
SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS by Jose Rivera, January 2008
VISITOR'S GUIDE TO ARIVACA (MAP NOT TO SCALE) by Evangeline Ordaz, October 2007
BODAS DE SANGRE (BLOOD WEDDING) by Federico García Lorca, April-May 2007
DOG LADY/EVENING STAR by Milcha Sanchez-Scott, November-December 2006
LA VICTIMA by Teatro de la Esperanza, October 2006
THE COOK by Eduardo Machado, May 2006
ELECTRICIDAD by Luis Alfaro, March-April 2006
¡CANTINFLAS! written and performed by Herbert Sigüenza (Culture Clash), October 2005
SANTOS & SANTOS by Octavio Solís, May 2005
4 GUYS NAMED JOSÉ Y UN MUJER NAMED MARÍA by David Coffman and Dolores Prida, December 2004
REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES by Josefína Lopez, October 2004
DRIVE MY COCHE by Roy Conboy, May 2004
BOXCAR by Sylvia Gonzalez and Teatro Visión, March 2004
CHILEAN HOLIDAY by Guillermo Reyes, October 2003
LADY FROM HAVANA by Luis Santeiro, May 2003
CONJUNTO by Oliver Mayer, March 2003
LA POSADA MÁGICA by Octavio Solis, December 2002
FEFU AND HER FRIENDS by Maria Irene Fornés, March 2002
VIEQUES by Jorge González, December 2001
HEROES AND SAINTS by Cherrie Moraga, October 2001
THE KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN by Manuel Puig, March 2001
LA POSADA MÁGICA by Octavio Solis, Music by Hawkeye Herman, December 2000
LA NONA by Roberto M. Cossa, English Translation by Raul Moncada, October 2000
WHEN EL CUCUI WALKS by Roy Conboy, May 2000
THE TRUE HISTORY OF COCA COLA IN MEXICO by Aldo Velasco and Patrick Scott, February 2000
HARVEST MOON by José Cruz González, October 1999
ROSITA'S JALAPEÑO KITCHEN by Rodrigo Duarte Clarke, May 1999
LA CASA EN MANGO STREET by Sandra Cisneros, Adapted by Amy Ludwig, February 1999
LA CARPA AZTLAN PRESENTS: I DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH ONLY by Antonio García, September 1998
SPIRIT DANCING by José Cruz González, June 1998
REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES by Josefina López, March 1998
¡NO SE PAGA! ¡NO SE PAGA! by Dario Fo, 1997
SANTOS & SANTOS by Octavio Solís, August 1997
LA VÍCTIMA by Teatro de la Esperanza, September 1996
OUR LADY OF THE TORILLA by Luis Santiero, January 1996
GOOD GRIEF LOLITA! by Wilma Bonet, September 1995
ROSARIO'S BARRIO by Rodrigo Duarte Clarke, June 1995
THE LAST ANGRY BROWN HAT by Alfredo Ramos, September 1994
LAS NUEVAS TAMALERAS by Alicia Mena, January 1994
NOVENAS NARATIVAS Y OFRENDAS NUEVOMEXICANOS by Denise Chaves, 1993
FOOD FOR THE DEAD by Josefina López, May 1993
ROOSTERS by Milcha Sanchez-Scott, 1992
EL ORO DE LOS QUINTEROS AÑOS by Arturo Gomez, Jaime Avarado, & Denis Marks with Teatro Visión, 1992
HOW ELSE AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW I'M STILL ALIVE? by Evelina Fernández, 1991
BRUJERÍAS by Rodrigo Duarte Clarke, 1991
SOLDADO RAZO by Luis Valdez, 1991
BUY! BUY! NAVIDAD! by Manuel Pickett, adapted by Lalo Cervantes with Teatro Visión, 1991
CONVERSATIONS WITH MY GRANDMOTHER MARTHA (MGM) by Edit Villareal, 1991
BRUJERÍAS by Rodrigo Duarte Clarke, 1991
¡NO SE PAGA! ¡NO SE PAGA! by Dario Fo, 1988
IMMIGRATION ACTOS by Teatro Visión, 1985
IMAGES OF DECEIT by Anita Quintanilla, Adapted by Teatro Huipil, 1984
Leigh Henderson
published Teatro Visión welcomes new Board Member Crystal Black! in News
2017-01-31 12:32:22 -0800
Teatro Visión welcomes new Board Member Crystal Black!
Teatro Visión is excited to introduce another new member of our Board of Directors: Crystal Black.
Crystal Black has been in Silicon Valley for most of 17 years working as a marketing professional at some of the valley’s most innovative tech companies. Her passion for theater started in 7th grade when she won tickets to the Kennedy Center to watch A Thousand Cranes and, even though she’d been working with computers throughout grade school, went to Virginia Tech and received an English BA/MA and a theater minor. Since 2000, Crystal has worked or volunteered at TheaterWorks, Bus Barn Stage Company (now Los Altos Stage Company), and Mexican Heritage Theater. She’s excited to work with the Teatro Visión board.
We’re thrilled to add Crystal's expertise and engery to Teatro Visión. Please welcome her to the Teatro família!
Crystal is the latest addition to our board as part of an ongoing strategy to build organizational capacity. If you're interested in joining us and would like to learn more, please send an email to Board President Dolores Alvarado.
Why support Teatro Visión?
Teatro Vision has embodied the seemingly old fashion value of activism, social commitment and of community and weds them to new forms of artistry... Now more than ever a theater with such a vision is needed and is in need of our support.
- Dr. Harry Elam, Professor and Department Chair at Stanford University
Any contribution is appreciated, no amount is too small or large.
Would you rather mail your gift?
Personal or business checks can be mailed to:
Teatro Visión, P.O. Box 28367, San José, CA 95159
Leigh Henderson
published Teatro Visión welcomes Peter Allen back to the board! in News
2016-12-27 11:20:55 -0800
Teatro Visión welcomes Peter Allen back to the board!
Teatro Visión is thrilled to welcome a familiar face back to our Board of Directors: Peter Allen.
Peter Allen is a third-generation San José native who currently serves as Public Information Officer for San José Unified School District and as a member of the City of San José Planning Commission. He previously spent four years on the San José Arts Commission and contributed bass, vocals, and songwriting to local eclectic rockers Usurper Vong.Prior to taking his position at San José Unified, Peter served as Board Member, Board President, and later Managing Director of Teatro Visión, guiding the organization into a new era coinciding with the launch of MACARIO. He is excited to return to the Teatro família.Peter graduated from Bellarmine College Prep in San José and got his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in screenwriting from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. He lives in San José with his fiancée, Angelica Ramos, and their two dogs and two cats.We’re so happy to have Peter's experience and vision back on the Teatro Visión board. Please welcome him back to the Teatro família!
Peter is the latest addition to our board as part of an ongoing strategy to build organizational capacity. If you're interested in joining us and would like to learn more, please send an email to Board President Virginia Rivera.
