If you’d like one thing completed effectively, do it your self. That was what Annamaria Cavallone and Mario DelaRosa determined 21 years in the past, after turning into annoyed by the shortage of Spanish-language arts programming within the Reno space.
Cavallone, a local of Chile, got here to Reno in 2000, having fallen in love with the world throughout a highway journey. However there was one thing she didnt love, which she ceaselessly expressed to her author/journalist husband, Mario DelaRosa.
After I got here to Reno, there was no theater for the Latino neighborhood. So I stated to Mario, I wish to see theater, however there isn’t a theater. Id say this each three or 4 months, she stated, turning to Mario, who sat beside her throughout the interview. And what did you say to me?
I stated, Youre complaining an excessive amount of. Why dont you make it? DelaRosa stated.
Cavallone had earned a bachelors diploma from the College for the Arts, Sciences and Communication in Chile, with an emphasis in theater, whereas DelaRosa, a local of Mexico Metropolis and a graduate of the College of Nevadas journalism program, was a talented author and editor. The 2 had met at Ahora, Renos former Hispanic-American newspaper, the place DelaRosa had been the editor, and Cavallone a reporter. They have been educated, creatively proficient and related to the Latino neighborhood. DelaRosas concept was an excellent one.
Cavallone posted an advert in Ahora inviting individuals who needed to behave (or who have been keen to be taught); 4 ladies and 7 males responded. She had her theater troupe, Brown Eyes Too, which Cavallone says continues to be solely considered one of seven Latino troupes within the nation, and positively the one one in Nevada.
However they nonetheless wanted performs to carry out. So DelaRosa sat down to write down a play a few younger lady who needed to go to school, however whose husband insisted she ought to solely deal with her wifely duties. The brief bilingual play, Carmenzitas Dream, was carried out in 2003.
Having originated in two completely different Latino international locations, the couple realized theyd tapped into an enormous want for extra arts and tradition alternatives that have been inclusive of all members of the Latinx neighborhood. Whereas there may be usually a bent to ascribe comparable traits to all, they’re every distinct. For instance, Cavallone had no expertise with the custom of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Lifeless), which is extensively celebrated in Mexico. Their theater firm might turn out to be a method for her, and others unfamiliar with the custom, to study it.
As soon as once more, DelaRosa penned a play for the corporateDia de los Muertoswhich bilingually traces the historical past of the vacation via the voices of kids.
Cavallone and DelaRosa, along with their ever-growing troupe of native actors, each novice and seasoned, have produced 10 performs altogether, normally springing from their want to study individuals and cultures, be inclusive of others and discover themes that join us all. These have included a preferred Spanish-language manufacturing of The Vagina Monologues and the unique bilingual manufacturing of LGBTQIA+ Latinx.
Greater than theater
The couples work started to develop past the bounds of theater into particular occasions. The primary of those, Fiesta on Wells, they created to rejoice Nationwide Hispanic Heritage Month. The favored annual occasion takes place over 4 blocks on Wells Avenue, with dozens of distributors and neighborhood organizations showcasing their choices, and stay musical performances representing numerous Latino backgrounds.
One other necessary feather of their cap is the annual Dia de Los Muertos competition, held on Pueblo Road in entrance of Reno Little Theater. Along with cubicles for distributors, it hosts an unique play by DelaRosa and Cavallone telling the story of the vacation, that includes two 12-foot-tall Catrinas, in costumes made by the pair.
Working underneath the umbrella identify Latino Arte, their mission is to broaden alternatives for celebrating and studying about Latinidad and sharing it with new audiences.
We signify variety, DelaRosa stated. We wish to be included, however we additionally wish to be inclusive.
Brown Eyes Too, now Teatro Brown Eyes, continues to be the theatrical arm of Latino Arte, having fun with its standing as a resident firm at Reno Little Theater for the final eight years. In 2020, the couple secured nonprofit standing for Latino Arte, enabling them to decide to the enterprise full timeafter years of working tirelessly on a volunteer foundation whereas sustaining full-time jobs. They’re additionally dedicated to paying their performers stipends as effectively.
With the assistance of grants from numerous native and state businesses, Latino Arte has prolonged its programming to incorporate final Junes Mariachi and Folklore of the Nations Competition, honoring the artwork and tales of Indigenous peoples, in addition to the bilingual Poetry Encounters occasion that made its debut in early August, that includes readings from native Latino authors in addition to a Spanish e book truthful, to deal with one other void locally: Spanish-language books and bookstores.
Brown Eyes Too, now Teatro Brown Eyes, continues to be the theatrical arm of Latino Arte, having fun with its standing as a resident firm at Reno Little Theater for the final eight years.
The corporates progress and elevated recognition has additionally helped it safe night entry to the Exercise Heart constructing at Teglias Paradise Park in Reno. The massive house supplies them with a venue for rehearsals, their weekly Native Drum Workshop and different actions.
And there definitely are loads of actions. The Latino Arte firmwhich has grown in its 20 years to incorporate a roster of greater than 100 actorsis gearing up for this 12 monthss Fiesta on Wells, going down Sunday, Sept. 24. And its fourth-annual Day of the Lifeless Competition will prolong to 5 separate space areas on Sunday, Oct. 29: Pueblo Road, the College of Nevada campus, the Nevada Museum of Artwork, the Carson Valley Group Heart in Gardnerville, and a location to be decided in Carson Metropolis.
Teatro Brown Eyes will reprise final winters bilingual manufacturing of The Wizard of Oz in February 2024. The present will seem each in Reno at Reno Little Theater and, due to grant funding, in Carson Metropolis (at venue to be decided).
Regardless of their dedication, they are saying its an uphill battle to lift consciousness of what they do.
Its actually exhausting to convey the Latino neighborhood to the theater, Cavallone says. For occasions, its not so exhausting, however now we now have so many occasions going down on the identical day right here. So we hope that now we now have this constructing, it helps.
For extra data, go to www.latinoarte.org.
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Originally posted 2023-09-14 22:01:12.