CARMEN takes the well-known opera as a jumping-off point and presents an all-Latinx cast performing a devised theatre piece exploring borders, labor, gender, and love. Queer subcultures and love stories clash with ICE raids and social networking as we use telenovela tropes to reinvent the tale of passion, jealousy, and ostracism. In a time of #dreamers, #borderwall and #metoo, CARMEN seeks to find both resistance and humor in chaotic times. Generic Ensemble Company is a Resident Theatre Organization of the Dougherty Arts Center through the Museums and Cultural Programs Division of the Parks and Recreation Department. Three weeks only.

Directed by kt shorb

Featuring: Siri Gurudev, Adam Martinez, Eva McQuade, Joseph Quintana, Cassandra Reveles, Saray de Jesus Rosales, Jesus I. Valles, Marina Weikel, Dillon Yruegas
Lighting Design by Aaron Curry
Costume and Properties Design by Jana Zek
Scenic Design by Iman Corbani
Projection Design by Kaiwen Fa
Stage Management by Matthew J. Schulz

Devised by the Ensemble
American Sign Language Interpreted on May 26

The Dougherty Arts Center
1110 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704
512-974-4000 | www.austintexas.gov/dac
Why This Project Now

In this place where people casually discuss a border wall, and a time when Dreamers are being deported, this all-Latinx cast laughs in the face of xenophobia and racism. If you are tired of hearing ridiculous people say ridiculous things, come see knife-sharp wit and queer stories.

click to to the CARMEN page at 

How We Will Use These Funds

Donations from this campaign will go directly toward paying creative collaborators, that include seven actors, a director, video director and crew, music director, a stage manager, four designers and other personnel. We have already received a grant from the City of Austin, which will cover much of our talent and materials costs. We are grateful to The Dougherty Arts Center for underwriting our project through providing performance space and other material goods so we can direct most of our resources toward paying talent. The $4000 will insure that we can pay this all-Latinx cast, majority POC and queer collaborative team a stipend higher than the Austin average. It is the goal of the Generic Ensemble Company to make creative labor sustainable for all collaborators. Love makes art good, but you can't eat it. Money helps.

Let's Talk Accessible Admissions

Every night of our show, we will reserve a bloc of free tickets in the spirit of sustainability, accessibility, and participating in the gift economy. We will also be offering an ASL-interpreted show, as well as scripts available to hard of hearing patrons on non-ASL days, and visual description for the visually impaired with advance notice. The DAC is wheelchair accessible. As we continue to expand our accessibility, your donation to this campaign allows us to offer our show to more and more patrons, across many social lines. 

Why We Are So Cool

The Generic Ensemble Company (GenEnCo) is one of the few troupes in Austin, and nationally, that centers queer people of color bodies and experiences in physically engaged, experimental, ensemble-based performance. GenEnCo has some grants and awards under its belt, and director, kt shorb, has presented work nationally. This is the most recent project aimed at asking profound questions toward social change through rigorous, dangerous, and community-conscious theatre. 

click to to the CARMEN page at 

Other Ways You Can Help

If you cannot help out with donating to our cause, we are looking for volunteers to run the house, be backstage, and distribute media material. Do you have a blog, radio show, or column? Talk to us and share our project with your audience!

Ticket Info

You can reserve a seat by going to our ticketing page.