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The Austin Latino New Play Festival

Presented by Teatro Vivo at Mexican American Cultural Center

April 21-April 23, 2011

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Teatro Vivo presents “Austin Latino New Play Festival – Festival Latino de Nuevas Obras Teatrales de Austin” in collaboration with the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and ScriptWorks, April 21-23, at 8 p.m.

 

The Austin Latino New Play Festival is a groundbreaking theater event for Texas and the Southwest, bringing together playwrights and audience members in rich conversation about three new workshop productions, each running just one night. The productions invite insight into the Latino aesthetic and experience, and celebrate the power of the human experience.

 

These workshop-style presentations are lively readings with props and movement on stage, riding the fence between staged reading and full-out production. After each workshop, the playwright and audience will participate in moderated talkback sessions so attendees can provide feedback to the playwrights. Though the productions have Latino roots, they explore cross-cultural age-old themes and modern dilemmas that will surprise, challenge, engage and push the dramatic envelope for audience members accustomed to one-way conversations at the theater.

 

Thursday, April 21 (8 p.m.): Lightning Strikes by Erica Saenz

Synopsis: Legends tell that when blue lightning (also known as St. Elmo’s Fire) appears before a storm it’s a sign of warning and protection. The play revolves around the crossing of three women’s lives in a small south Texas town. This intersection — or strike of lightning — causes them to have life-changing realizations about their individual paths. A sign, or just coincidence? Either way, the force brings reflection, resignation, contempt and change.

Playwright: Erica Saenz has B.A. in Theatre from The University of Texas at Austin and an M.A. in playwriting at UCLA. The Austin Critics Table Awards and the B. Iden Payne Awards have recognized her as both a playwright and a stage performer.

 

Friday, April 22 (8 p.m.): Mariachi Girl by Roxanne Schroeder-Arce

Synopsis: Carmencita is a joyful, smart eight-year-old girl who loves to listen to her daddy’s mariachi music. “Cita” accepts her father’s traditional views and his insistence that mariachi groups can only include men. Everything changes when Cita reads a book about a famous female mariachi. She then looks at mariachi, the world and her possibilities a little differently. This musical is well-suited for children ages 6-10, but will warm the hearts of the entire family.

Playwright: Roxanne Schroeder-Arce is on staff of The University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance. She received her M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth from The University of Texas at Austin and her B.S. degree and teaching credentials from Emerson College. Roxanne taught high school theater in Laredo and in Austin. She is a director, performer, scholar/researcher and playwright. Roxanne’s research interests include multi-cultural theater education and Latino theater for young audiences.

 

Saturday, April 23 (8 p.m.): Dos Pocitos by Raul Garza

Synopsis: It’s 2026 in “Texaco” – the ungoverned, lawless territory formerly known as South Texas. Here, a few struggling residents remain, constantly embattled with drug cartels, military and occasional interlopers. With a nod to the past, and an eye to the future, Dos Pocitos is a comedy about this place, and the place it represents for all Latinos.

Playwright: Raul Garza is co-founder of TKO Advertising, and has been recognized for creative excellence by industry publications including Advertising Age, and by the American Associations of Advertising Agencies. He received his degree in Advertising from The University of Texas at Austin. Since 2008 he has been an adjunct professor of Communications at St. Edward’s University, teaching integrated campaigns courses. Raul was awarded the 2007 National Latino Playwriting Award for his full-length play, Fantasmaville.