Bring teatro to your students at home and in the classroom

Teatro Visión believes that culturally relevant theater is important to your students' education. Therefore, we are pleased to offer exclusive educational access to six of our recent past productions - Macario (2022), Raíces: el libro de los caminos (2022), Becoming (MAR) (2022), Macario (2019), Departera (2018), and La Muerte Baila (2017).

These productions are recommended for students in grade 4 and up.

Our suggested price to access these videos is $5 per person, which helps us cover the costs of making these videos available. However, we know that many schools have little or no budget for arts experiences and it is important to us that money is not a barrier to access. If your school has the budget to pay $5 per person, thank you! If not, please pay what you can or request free access.

Please note that access is limited to educational purposes for K-12 and college students.

If you have questions, or need assistance, please email [email protected] or call (408) 294-6621 ext. 3.

How it works

Clicking on the BOOK NOW links will take you to a form where you can register to access the video of Macario, Departera, or La Muerte Baila for your students. 

On the registration form, you will indicate whether you are able to pay the recommended price of $5 per person. You may use a credit card to pay online using a link in the registration form or you can choose to pay by check, in which case we will email you an invoice.

After you register, usually within three days, we will send you a unique link. Please share this link ONLY with your students, as it will be good only for a limited number of views. The link will also expire at the end of the semester.

Your unique link will take you to an Overture+ site where you and your students can watch the video. You may choose to have your students watch independently on their computer or tablet or, if you wish to watch it together in a Zoom classroom, you can share your screen from Overture+. You can turn on captions on the video by clicking the subtitles icon at the bottom of the video.

If you have questions, or need assistance, please email [email protected] or call (408) 294-6621 ext. 3.

BECOMING (MAR)

World Premiere
by Maribel Martínez
directed by Wilma Bonet
videography by MidPen Media Center

When 9-year-old Mariela's performance at a school talent show goes wrong, she wishes not to be different anymore. Transported to the InBetween, the land of the ancestors, she meets a sassy owl, an emotional tortoise, a singing prairie dog, an honorable snake, and a mischievous centipede. A bilingual story of the importance of self-acceptance and the powerful medicine that is carried by ancestral teachings, brought to life by a youth cast.

Becoming (MAR) is performed bilingually in English and Spanish, with English and Spanish captions.

Run time: 1 hour, 29 minutes

This video of our 2022 production is accessible exclusively for educational use. You will receive a pdf study guide along with your viewing link.

MACARIO

adapted for the stage by Evelina Fernández with Teatro Visión
based on the novel by B. Traven
and the Academy Award nominated film
original music by Russell Rodríguez
original choreography by Maria de la Rosa
stage direction by Rodrigo García
music direction by Russell Rodríguez
choreography by Samuel Cortez
videography by Nicole Pérez - Cherry Pink Productions

Teatro Visión’s Macario is a Día de Muertos celebration full of music, dance, spectacle, and inspiration. A poor woodcutter, whose sole dream in life is to experience a day without hunger, is caught at a crossroads when his dream comes true.

Macario is performed in Spanish, with English or Spanish captions.

Run time: 1 hour, 46 minutes

This video of our 2019 production is accessible exclusively for educational use. You will receive a pdf activity guide for Macario along with your viewing link.

DEPARTERA

World Premiere
by Evelina Fernández with Teatro Visión
original music by Russell Rodríguez
directed by Elisa Marina Alvarado
videography by Nicole Pérez - Cherry Pink Productions

Inspired by real stories gathered from our community, Departera is a witty, modern take on Día de los Muertos, full of inspiring music, touching stories, and diverse characters.

Departera is performed bilingually in English and Spanish, with English or Spanish captions.

Run time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

This video of our 2018 world premiere is accessible exclusively for educational use. 

LA MUERTE BAILA

an original Milagro Theater Día de Muertos production
devised by Rebecca Martinez and the Milagro Theater Ensemble
directed by Rodrigo García
videography by Nicole Pérez - Cherry Pink Productions

In this hilarious, musical take on the afterlife, los muertitos (the dead) can’t wait to get back to earth on Día de Muertos and La Muerte can’t wait to finally have a day to relax! But when one soul isn’t ready to go back, everyone’s holiday is in danger!

La Muerte Baila is performed in Spanish, with English or Spanish captions.

Run time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

This video of our 2017 production is accessible exclusively for educational use. 

More resources

In addition to Macario, Departera, and La Muerte Baila you can access video of our January 2020 production of Luz: A Shadow Play Inspired by Senior Stories on our website, as well as the accompanying study guide.

Español

Each Spring, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the next generation of teatristas—skilled artists who are committed to culture-based, bilingual theater—by mounting a full-scale professional production featuring trained youth actors from our San José community. Our youth production provides young teatristas aged 10-18 a powerful opportunity to deepen their connections to their community and to their individual creative spirits. Through the process, they gain valuable experience in creating theater and the technical experience to pursue a life in the arts.

Our Spring 2027 youth production will be announced soon!

Our past youth productions include:

WHEN SHE HAD WINGS by Suzan Zeder, April 2026.

THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET adapted for the stage by Amy Ludwig from The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, May 2025.

Francisco Jiménez's LA MARIPOSA and BREAKING THROUGH, adapted for the stage by Leo Cortez, presented in partnership With SCU•Presents Performing Arts Center, Santa Clara University, April 2024.

DON QUIXOTE, adapted by Anne Ludlum and David Quicksall, based on Don Quixote de la Mancha, Parts I and II by Miguel de Cervantes, March-April 2023.

BECOMING (MAR) by Maribel Martínez, April-May 2022

ESPERANZA RISING by Lynne Alvarez, based on the book by Pam Muñoz Ryan, May-June 2021

THE TRANSITION OF DOODLE PEQUEÑO by Gabriel Jason Dean, March 2019

THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET adapted for the stage by Amy Ludwig from The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, May 2018

Questions? Please email us at [email protected] or call us at (408) 294-6621.

Cada primavera, reafirmamos nuestro compromiso con la crianza de la próxima generación de teatristas—artistas comprometidos a create teatro bilingüe y basado en la cultura—montando una producción profesional con la actuación de jóvenes actores de nuestra comunidad en San José. Nuestra producción juvenil les aporta a teatristas de 10 a 18 años una oportunidad influyente para profundizar sus conexiones a la comunidad y a sus propios espíritus creativos. A traves de este proceso, ellos consiguen la valorosa experiencia de crear teatro y las habilidades necesitarias para perseguir una vida en las artes.

Nuestra producción juvenil del 2026 será anunciada pronto. 

Nuestras producciones juveniles pasadas incluyen:

WHEN SHE HAD WINGS por Suzan Zeder, abril 2026.

THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET adaptada por Amy Ludwig de The House on Mango Street por Sandra Cisneros, mayo 2025.

DON QUIJOTE, adaptada por Anne Ludlum y David Quicksall, basada en Don Quijote de la Mancha, Partes I y II por Miguel de Cervantes, marzo-abril 2023.

BECOMING (MAR) por Maribel Martínez, abril-mayo 2022

ESPERANZA RISING por Lynne Alvarez, basada en el libro por Pam Muñoz Ryan, mayo-junio 2021

THE TRANSITION OF DOODLE PEQUEÑO por Gabriel Jason Dean, marzo 2019

THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET adaptada por Amy Ludwig de The House on Mango Street por Sandra Cisneros, mayo 2018

¿Preguntas? Por favor contáctenos por correo electrónico a [email protected] or por teléfono al (408)294-6621.

During the 2025-2026 school year, Teatro Visión welcomed over 900 students and teachers from K-12 schools across the region to student matinee performances of La Muerte Baila, No llegamos aquí solos, and Suzan Zeder's When She Had Wings. We are excited to continue our student matinee program for the 2026-2027 school year.

Alebrijes by Georgina Escobar, Annual Día de los Muertos Production, Friday, October 16, 2026 at 11:00am. Performed in Spanish with supertitles in English and Spanish. Appropriate for all ages.

Youth production TBD student matinee: Friday, May 7, 2027 at 11:00am. Language & age restrictions TBA.

Tickets for student and chaperones are $10 each. As for past student matinees, we're asking schools to cover ticket costs for their students, and require a chaperone for each 10 students. Limited subsidies and discounts available. You can read our full student matinee policy here.

To make a reservation for the performances, please fill out this form.

If you are a teacher, school principal, or other educator interested in bringing students to one of our shows, please contact our Managing Director Jacob Yoder-Schrock, [email protected], for more details.

Bring teatro to your students at home and in the classroom

La Hora del Mitote is Teatro Visión's livestream series, where you can meet local artists, activists, and community members.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and YouTube to hear about upcoming episodes.

Past episodes

View more past episodes of La Hora del Mitote on our Youtube playlist.

La Hora del Mitote para el fin del año

Friday, December 20, 2024 at 7:00pm

The Teatro Visión familia wraps up their milestone anniversary year by reflecting on the signature events series "40 años, 40 eventos." Join us for a lively conversation with audience members, community partners, board members, artists, and more!

La Hora del Mitote with the cast of Macario

Friday, October 4, 2024 at 7:00pm

Join Jacob and the Macario team for a sneak peek into the rehearsals for Macario! We'll watch as the cast prepares for next weekend's performances, and chat with the creative team about the process of creating this beloved production.

La Hora del Mitote with Carla Pantoja

Friday, August 16, 2024 at 7:00pm

Join members of the Teatro Visión for a conversation with fight choreographer, intimacy director, and artistic director Carla Pantoja!

Carla is the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, after being a resident artist with that company since 2014. They finished their third season at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, as a fight and intimacy director. In 2022, Carla was their first female fight director in over 80 years of the organization. She has worked as an actor, fight and/or intimacy director with A.C.T, Cal Shakes, TheatreWorks, Z Space, SFBATCO, and Magic Theatre to name a few.

La Hora del Mitote with Karina Gutiérrez

Friday, August 9, 2024 at 7:00pm

Join Artistic Director Rodrigo García for a conversation with director, dramaturg, and scholar Karina Gutiérrez! Karina Gutiérrez is passionate about supporting new play development, fostering local artists, and creating welcoming, equitable, and accessible theatre spaces and classrooms. She considers theatre a powerful space for social change and the mending, healing, and restoring of communities.

La Hora del Mitote with Francisco Jiménez and Leo Cortez

Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00pm

The author of the acclaimed memoirs La Mariposa, Breaking Through, and more, Francisco Jiménez chats with Leo Cortez, who adapted the novels into the theater plays that Teatro Visión presented in April 2024

La Hora del Mitote with Yosimar Reyes

Friday, January 26, 2024

Poet and activist Yosimar Reyes joins Teatro Visión Artistic Director Rodrigo García to talk about the intersections of art, community, and social justice. Reyes and García will also announce an exciting new play development project that begins now!

La Hora del Mitote: ¡Celebra el 2024!

Friday, January 12, 2024

It’s Teatro Visión’s 40th anniversary year! Join Rodrigo, Ivette, Dianne, and Jacob to get a first look at our plans for the future. From new productions and new visions, to classes and workshops, to artist conversations and gala celebrations—it’s sure to be a celebratory year!

La Hora del Mitote with Arte Mambo

Friday, September 29, 2023

Teatrista Marissa Torres has performed with us for years—in Macario, Becoming (MAR), and more. Recently, she's worked behind the scenes and has started Arte Mambo, her own small business, selling decorations, stickers, bags, artwork, and other handmade pieces. Hear all about her creative journey with Teatro Visión on this special episode. And catch her in the lobby of La Muerte Baila to buy some of her merchandise!

La Hora del Mitote with Ricardo Cortés

Friday, July 7, 2023

Join us for a livestream conversation with Ricardo Cortés, who is teaching this summer's Intro to Teatro Class.

Ricardo will share about his work with Teatro Visión this year, his acting background, and his plans for our young teatristas in Intro to Teatro. We'll be joined by some of our past class students, who will tell you all about what teatro classes have meant to them!

View more past episodes of La Hora del Mitote on our Youtube playlist.

Todos lo años poblaciones enteras de animales y especies vegetales se desplazan miles de kilómetros a través de océanos y continentes en un viaje muy preciso, no pueden perder el tiempo, deben llegar a destino en el momento justo. Una profunda y misteriosa conexión los impulsa a volver una y otra vez.

La madre naturaleza es dueña de todo lo que habita en nuestro planeta. Las cosas más impresionantes suceden gracias a la perfección que el delicado pero majestuoso ciclo de la vida tiene para todo ser vivo y también para la materia inerte. Unos de esos ciclos épicos son sin duda, las migraciones del mundo animal y del mundo vegetal.

Covid-19 y Migración.

Cierre de fronteras como medidas de prevención, xenofobia y tratos discriminatorios.

En medio de la emergencia por el nuevo coronavirus en el mundo, los refugiados, desplazados y solicitantes de asilo son población vulnerable. Algunos ni siquiera tienen dónde vivir como para cumplir las órdenes de cuarentena  y otros están en campamentos atiborrados de personas, donde es imposible un aislamiento seguro. Para completar, en un alto porcentaje de los refugios el agua, vital para evitar el contagio, es escasa. Para ellos la guerra y la persecución continúan. 

"Imaginen que el contagio del coronavirus se extiende por Europa de manera incontrolada mientras que en el continente africano, por las condiciones climáticas, no tiene incidencia. Aterradas, las familias europeas escaparían de la enfermedad de manera histérica, camino de la frontera africana. Tratarían de cruzar el mar por el Estrecho, se lanzarían en embarcaciones precarias desde las islas griegas y la costa turca. Perseguidos por la sombra de una nueva peste mortal tratarían de ponerse a salvo, urgidos por la necesidad. Pero al llegar a la costa africana, las mismas vallas que ellos levantaron, los mismos controles violentos y las fronteras más inexpugnables invertirían el poder de freno. Las fuerzas del orden norteafricanas dispararían contra los occidentales sin piedad, les gritarían: vete a tu casa, déjanos en paz, no queremos tu enfermedad, tu miseria, tu necesidad. Si los guionistas quisieran extremar la crueldad, permitirían que algunos europeos, guiados por las mafias extorsionadoras, alcanzaran destinos africanos, y allí los encerrarían en cuarentenas inhóspitas, donde serían despojados de sus pertenencias, de sus afectos, de su dignidad." - David Trueba

RAIZ, EL PULSO COMPARTIDO
Posted by La Quinta Teatro · January 27, 2021 11:11 AM

Graffiti
Posted by La Quinta Teatro · June 30, 2020 1:56 PM

XVI CARAVANA DE MADRES MIGRANTES DESAPARECIDOS
Posted by La Quinta Teatro · May 31, 2020 11:59 AM

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. 

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.

Teatro Visión is a Chicanx theater company with 40 years of service to the community. Our work amplifies the voices of Latinxs, creates a dignified and empowering sense of identity, inspires action, builds respect and understanding, and explores the social and psychological experiences of Latinxs.

AUDITIONS & DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES

Teatro Visión is always happy to meet new actors, designers, directors, musicians, and other members of our community who are interested in working with Teatro Visión.

To introduce yourself, please email Production Manager Dianne Vega with your resume, headshot, design website, or any other relevant information.

Teatro Visión is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, creed, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital or veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Luz: A Shadow Play Inspired by Senior Stories was created from the real stories of seniors and elders in our community. We are grateful for the trust and courage they showing in sharing their stories with us. We honor their contributions to our community.

In 2018, Teatro Visión teamed up with local playwright Cristal González Avila 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 then expanded these stories into a new play entitled Luz: A Shadow Play Inspired by Senior Stories, which premiered in January 2020 to a sold out audience. 

Watch Luz: A Shadow Play Inspired by Senior Stories

Download the study guide for Luz: A Shadow Play Inspired by Senior Stories.

Read the 1-minute plays and audience responses.

This project was 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's current strategic plan covers the year 2021-22 through 2023-24. The major goals outlined in the plan are 1) Strengthen Teatro Visión’s year-round presence in our local community and 2) Continue to create and pursue innovative projects and programs.

As described below, as of Spring 2024, the Board of Directors approved an addendum to extend this Strategic Plan to June 2025.

Read the full 2022-2024 Strategic Plan

Addendum

In anticipation of the culmination of this 3-Year Strategic Plan, the Teatro Visión Board of Directors convened an ad hoc Strategic Planning Committee (Committee) in Spring 2023. The Committee was comprised of the following board and staff members:

• Crystal Cardenas, Board President & Committee Chair
• Blanca Sanchez-Cruz, Board Vice President
• Peter Allen, Board Secretary & Past Strategic Planning Committee Chair
• Leigh Henderson, Board Member & Past Managing Director
• Ivette Deltoro, Managing Director
• Rodrigo García, Artistic Director

With the consent of the Board, the Committee began a year-long process to review the organization’s current Strategic Plan, engage with internal and external stakeholders, and deliver an updated 3-Year Strategic Plan for FY2025-FY2027 for board approval no later than June 2024.

As the Committee approached the end of its work in early 2024, the organization encountered two unexpected leadership disruptions, first with the resignation of Board President Crystal Cardenas in January, followed by the departure of Managing Director Ivette Deltoro in April. The former delayed progress on the Strategic Plan as both the Committee and Board sought new leadership. The latter prompted the Board and Staff to renew conversations regarding the scope, hours, and salary of the Managing Director position in the hopes of recruiting and retaining the highest quality candidate and expanding the organization's capacity.

Understanding that these conversations would have significant impacts on the organization's long-term planning, the Board decided to postpone the start of the next 3-Year Strategic Plan to FY2026 and continue to focus on the goals, initiatives, and strategies of the current plan in FY2025. During that time, it is anticipated that the organization will, in addition to the strategies detailed therein:

• Continue to develop a new, community-based work in collaboration with Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Yosimar Reyes; and
• Begin the development of a pilot year-round ensemble of artists trained in Teatro Visión’s applied participatory theater methods to take on new projects to enhance our community engagement and educational programs.

The organization anticipates the hiring of a permanent Managing Director in Early 2025, at which time the Committee will reconvene to complete its work and deliver a draft Strategic Plan for FY2026-2028 for board approval no later than June 2025.

ANNUAL DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS PRODUCTION

A Día de Muertos Tale 
by Georgina Escobar
directed by Rodrigo García
music direction by Russell Rodríguez
originally commissioned by Milagro, in Portland, Oregon 

October 8-18, 2026
Mexican Heritage Plaza
1700 Alum Rock Ave.
San José, CA 95116

A mythologized telling of the life (and almost death) of the little-known alebrije creator, Pedro Linares. Join La Muerte as she chases Pedro, and his three totemitos in this family-friendly Day of the Dead celebration of fantastical Mexican folk art.

Follow Pedro on a nostalgic visit to Mexico City in 1936, discover his special relationship to his animals, and join him in his journey through a psychedelic Oaxacan jungle (or is it the afterlife?). Balancing the weight of mortality with delightful comedy, beautiful colors, and traditional music, Alebrijes is a joyful story that celebrates the fantastical journey of life and the art that unites us all, even across realms.

Una narración mitologizada de la vida (y casi la muerte) de Pedro Linares, creador de los alebrijes. Acompaña a La Muerte mientras persigue a Pedro y sus tres totemitos en esta celebración familiar del arte popular mexicano fantástico.

Sigue a Pedro en una nostálgica visita a Ciudad de México en 1936, descubre su relación especial con sus animales y acompáñalo en su viaje por una jungla psicodélica de Oaxaca (¿o será el más allá?). Equilibrando el peso de la mortalidad con una comedia encantadora, colores hermosos y música tradicional, Alebrijes es una historia alegre que celebra el fantástico viaje de la vida y el arte que nos une a todos, incluso a través de los reinos.

ANNUAL YOUTH PRODUCTION 

April 22-25, 2027
Mexican Heritage Plaza
1700 Alum Rock Ave.
San José, CA 95116

Each Spring, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the next generation of teatristas—skilled artists who are committed to culture-based, bilingual theater—by mounting a full-scale professional production featuring trained youth actors from our San José community. Our youth production provides young teatristas aged 10-18 a powerful opportunity to deepen their connections to their community and to their individual creative spirits. Through the process, they gain valuable experience in creating theater and the technical experience to pursue a life in the arts.

Our Spring 2027 youth production will be announced soon.