Call for March 8 to Oppose Mex-AmCenter's Possible Cancellation of Proyecto Teatro Residency for Daring Contemporary Theatre: Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas
Supporters of Austin's Spanish-language Proyecto Teatro have called for support at the March 8 City of Austin meeting of advisors to the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center in Austin, Texas. The subject is the abrupt termination of the company's residency status. Proyecto Teatro presents theatrical works and conducts theatre and movement classes for children and adults.
The decision to cancel was probably in reaction to the use of male nudity in Proyecto Teatro's Sexo, Pudor y Lagrimas in late January.
Though CTX Live Theatre wasn't able to write a review at the time, the decisions and artistic choices by director Luis Ordaz and the company were in this reviewer's opinion entirely appropriate to the subject matter, powerful ,and entirely justified by the theme and the story. The nudity lasted only a few moments. There was no female nudity, and all six performers were accomplished and riveting in a piece that deeply engaged contemporary roles for men and women and individual choices concerning sexuality and commitment.
The nudity certainly made some of the audience members uncomfortable, but it was relevant in their contemporary updating of a popular Mexican film.
I regret that I am outside the United States and will not be back in time to participate. I ask that any of the participants read these comments concerning the production into the record. I've published almost 700 reviews of live theatre in Austin and Central Texas over the last 8 years, and this production was one of the highest quality and of engaged artistic intent.
-- Michael Meigs, reviewer & publisher, CTXLiveTheatre.com
The company's show announcement appeared at https://ctxlivetheatre.com/.../20170120-sexo-pudor-y.../
Posted in the Teatro in Austin group on Facebook:
Stand with the Latino Arts community of Austin and ProyectoTEATRO, an Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultrual Center resident performance arts company whose contract was unexpectedly terminated last week. Come to the monthly MACC Advisory Board meeting this Wednesday @ 6PM and sign up to share your voice.
As a community, we are requesting that Parks and Recreation and the City of Austin:
-Reinstate ProyectoTEATRO’s residency
-Establish a Bill of Rights at the ESB-MACC to protect artists against violations
-Review and evaluate LARP program at the ESB-MACC
Meeting Agenda:
http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=272842
The agenda lists as the last item, no. 6, Discussion and possible action on issues related to Proyecto Teatro. Discussants are chairman Rick Herandez and co-chair Blanca Valencia. The meeting is at the Mexican-American Cultural Center.
