Recent Essays

The Latina/o Theatre Commons National Convening has finally arrived in Boston. 78 Latina/o artist converged together for the biggest meeting since 1986.

In 2004 and 2005, two seminal Latino/a theatre incubators closed down. Since then, we’ve started to say our dreams aloud of find a new supports and a new hub.  

The multi-layered commitment is in hopes of finding out what is unique to the needs of U.S Latina/o theatre and how it reflects the changing landscape of American theatre.

Allison Vanouse writes about Disney Theatrical Enterprise's approach to theatermaking, and how high art and children's theater meet in their regional theater collaboration: The Jungle Book.

Lo que cae mal, es la obsesión con la identidad. Presiento que debemos hablar honestamente sobre la paradoja de este tema. Por ejemplo, soy mujer gay Mexicana, si--pero significa esto entonces que solo eso define mi trabajo artístico? / What hits the wrong chord is the obsession with identity. I think we should engage in conversations regarding the paradox around this theme. For example, I am a gay Mexican woman, yes—but does that mean that it has to be what defines my writing?

What’s the next step when we’ve done this before and nothing has changed? The Bay Area Latino theatre artists reflect on historical patterns to find the answer of what’s next.

Outside of Phoenix, the reading of Harvey Girls at Arizaon’s Performing Arts Center tackles the question of what, who and where is Arizona’s culture other than a "wasteland." 

The 2013 convening is a time to think of defining who, what, and where Latina/o theatre is currenting in reflection of where it has come from and where it can go!

The following videos were recorded in March 2013 when the steering committee of the Latino Theater Commons National Convening gathered at HowlRound, Emerson College for the first time. Learn more about this week's upcoming first large-scale formal gathering of the Latina/o theatre community since 1986.