40th Anniversary Celebration
Please Speak Up: A Reflection on Teatro Dallas' 40 years of Creativity and Education
By Natalie Shaw
Forty years is an amazing accomplishment, especially for an artist group of any kind, most of us know all too well. But, it doesn't come without perseverance, a lot of hard work and creativity and, most importantly, support. The Arts in the DFW Metroplex have taken serious hits on the chin, especially in the most recent years with the COVID pandemic and, even more recently with the financial cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts, where much needed funds that had already been promised were suddenly pulled. In response to these cuts, many of us, myself included, have been very busy advocating, showing up and rolling our sleeves up. And, while the larger companies are likely to survive and perhaps continue to flourish, it's the marginalized who really need us to show up.
Want to know the truth? I've sat in a lot of shows; witnessed a lot of performances. And, believe me when I tell you that there have been productions who've had a much larger budget that I couldn't wait to get out of, "Is this over, yet?" And, likewise, there have been performances on a shoestring budget that I could watch 100 times and never grow impatient or tired. What's the difference? Voice. It's voice. My burning question before a performance is always, "What are they trying to say with this production?" Honestly speaking, if you have nothing to say, please sit down. There's a place for entertainment in Theatre. There's a place for absurdity. There's a place for jump scares; intensity; clowning; laughing; emotion; you name it. But, please, say something WITH it! You may not even be speaking for yourself, many times you're speaking for someone else, on their behalf, in their support. But, choose to speak up.
Teatro Dallas' Cora Cardona lifted her voice 40 years ago for Latino culture and community and we're still listening. Teatro Dallas is more than just a local theatre company. They're also more than a local theatre company who supports emerging playwrights, actors and directors. Teatro Dallas stretches further with productions based on a collection of categories: Poetry, spoken word, music, and dance--performance art in every variety, for children and adults alike. And, most importantly, they have something to say with every performance! I have yet to ever get bored with what they bring.
I have many places that I could choose to be on November 1 this year, but I'm going to be anxiously awaiting Teatro Dallas' 40th Anniversary Party! This incredible night boasts performances from some of Dallas' best artists, including music by Liz Mikel and Armando Monsivais, dance numbers by Gabriel Scampini and Luzcarina Nunez, and many more! Hosted by Teatro Dallas' Alyssa Carrasco and Gisela Guajardo.
Headlining the evening's events is Musical Artist, Singer/Songwriter La Dona, whose musical variations couldn't be more fitting than at Teatro Dallas, breaking the mold on what defines Latin Music, blending musical styles like Reggaeton, Hip Hop, Jazz and Caribbean rhythm. One song, and you'll be hooked! Listening to the first of her songs on my Spotify rotation had me up and dancing after a long day at work.
You can see these incredible Dallas performers and witness La Dona live and in person at the Latino Culture Center on November 1 at Teatro Dallas' 40th Anniversary Celebration. Your support will continue to speak volumes for the next 40 years to come! Get your tickets for this one-night only fielsta at https://teatrodallas.org/productions/40th-celebration/
I'll see you there!
Natalie
Comments
Post a Comment