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Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Sunday, December 1, 2013
A SHEPERDELA'S STORIA, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center, December 12 - 22, 2013
presents
La Pastorela 2013 -- a bilingual play:
A Sheperdela's Storia
| (www.altateatro.org) |
Directed by Patricio Villarreal Avila, Music by Kiko Villamizar
December 12-22nd Thursdays and Fridays: 8 pm, Saturdays and Sundays: 7 pm
Emma S. Barrientos, Mexican American Cultural Center, Black Box 600 River Street, Austin TX 78702 - click for map
COST: General admission $15, $10 children under 13
TICKETS: www.altateatro.com, www.eventbrite.com, and at the theater box office the day of the shows.
CONTACT: 512.537.ALTA (2582) info@altateatro.com www.altateatro.com
Running time 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission
As at every holiday season for the last 16 years, the Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) presents its production of the traditional Pastorela in the Black Box of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC). This year, under the direction of Patricio Villarreal Avila, this old traditional Christmas Latino Pastorela brings to life contemporary characters from Austin's everyday life within a well known story. Gathering people from different origins, races, genders, ages and more, this theater play is an invitation to celebrate the holidays not only as part of the audience, but by participating in the Christmas festivity by accompanying these new shepherds on their way to their sought after destination.
The script for this Chicano tragicomedy, has been edited, enhanced and organized by Patricio Villarreal Ávila based on the original screenplay by Luis Valdes, and with contributions from local authors and artists including Thomas Salas, Marylou Castillo, Marita de la Torre, Kiko Villamizar, Christopher Edwards and Diego Villarreal. Under the artistic direction if Villareal and the musical direction of Kiko Villamizar, twelve enthusiastic actors will give life to this fun Christmas comedy, accompanied by live music and an original stage specially designed by renowned plastic and visual artist Claudia Montero from ArteStudio Austin.
Cast: Arcángel San Miguel: Diego Villarreal Ávila, Cucharón: Alessandro Sánchez, Gila: Ana Luisa Esperón Mudy, Bartola: Norma del Toro, Bato: Víctor Manuel Díaz-Sevilla, Parranda: Frida Isabelle Mack, Tebano: Saturnino Luis Zertuche, María: Eleana Ramírez, Ermitaño: Asdrúbal Gutiérrez,Luzbel: Mario Ramírez,Pecado: Erika Sánchez Zertuche, Astucia: Francisco Villamizar
The Pastorela is an interactive bilingual comedy for the whole family! The performances run from Thursdays through Sundays, beginning December 12 and ending on December 22.
General admission $15, $10 children under 13. Tickets for all shows are available through www.altateatro.com, www.eventbrite.com, or at the theater entrance.
ABOUT THE AUSTIN LATINO THEATER ALLIANCE (ALTA): The Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) believes that the art of theater is a cultural force with the capacity to transform the lives of individuals and the community at large. ALTA’s work seeks to challenge the preconceptions of what is Latino theater, and become a source of inspiration and redemption that goes beyond activism and folklore. This commitment stems from a desire to bring Hispanic/Latin American plays and productions whose language, be it Spanish or English, speaks to the universal emotions and beliefs that transcend cultural, social and geopolitical barriers, and are rooted in the commonality of the human experience. With an intention of uniting and supporting Latino and Hispanic theater groups in Austin, the Austin
Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) was born in 1998. The organization has contributed to maintaining the tradition of La Pastorela, a traditional nativity play, while fostering the development of new talents in the theater arts, promoting collaborative productions among local and international artists, and bringing high-quality theater to Austin. For more information, visit www.altateatro.com
Monday, October 21, 2013
Auditions for Spanish-Language Christmas Play La Pastorela, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance, October 21 and 23, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
ROSA DE DOS AROMAS by Emilio Carballido, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance at Mexican-American Cultural Center, October 11 - 27, 2013
by Emilio Carballido, directed by Karla Longnion
Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center, 600 River Street -- click for map
October 11 to 27, 2013 (10/11/2013 VIP Night) Shows Fridays & Saturdays 8pm/Sundays 5pm.
General AdmissionTicket $15, Students & Seniors $12, Groups of 10 and more $10 per person
Tickets: www.altateatro.com, www.altarosa.eventbrite.com and box office on performance days.
Gracefully and accurately, Carballido’s theater brings to light the contradictions, preconceptions and ideologies of the different social classes, particularly those of the middle class. Many of these pieces combine “high culture” with “popular culture”. Carballido received the Casa de las Americas Theater Award in 1962.
The play will be presented in Spanish with English subtitles.
Two women in the waiting room of a jail. One man. Many painful secrets to unfold. This is the plot that “Two Scented Rose”, by the late award-wining Mexican playwright Emilio Carballido, presents. The theatrical production is an entertaining, yet profound, story that begins with a casual encounter and gives rise to a series of events that will, gradually and dramatically, transform the lives of both lead characters.
Why do human beings sometimes not recognize deception and tolerate abuse? ”Two Scented Rose portrays the reality of misunderstood love, of the need and obsession that human beings many times show when they fall in love. It demonstrates that even when sanity and reason dictate that the right thing to do is to leave a relationship, many times the chosen path is different. The excuses are plenty: the kids, the fear of loneliness, financial co-dependence.
The theatrical production gives voice to an issue essential to feminism, in which a woman looks at herself through the eyes of another woman in the context of her relationship with a man. Does civil status have the same value for her as it has for him? Does she have to marry to achieve a certain status in society? This is a story of love and friendship—a story of desire and the uncoveted characteristic neediness is. It’s about the road that Marlene and Gabriela follow, with an ending that will bring to light the real intention of the destiny that has bound these two women together.
Mexican Playwright Emilio Carballido’s (1925-2008) most resounding characteristic was bringing to light the social issues women have had to deal with through many generations while placing a special emphasis on women’s emancipation throughout the Latin American cultures.
As part of this production, ALTA proudly presents the work of the internationally acclaimed lighting specialist Carlos Arce, whose work is especially well-known through a variety of theaters in Latin America, and the general coordination of Theater Director Karla Longnion. The play will be presented in the MACC’s Black Box, 600 River St., Austin 78701, beginning on Friday, Oct. 11, with a VIP Evening, and will be open to the general public from Oct. 11 through 27. Shows Fridays and Saturdays will take place at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. This show is suitable for ages 13 and over under parental discretion due to the language present in certain scenes.
About the Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA): ALTA believes that the art of theater is a cultural force with the capacity to transform the lives of individuals and the community at large. ALTA’s work seeks to challenge the preconceptions of what is Latino theater, and become a source of inspiration and redemption that goes beyond activism and folklore. This commitment stems from a desire to bring Hispanic/Latin American plays and productions whose language, be it Spanish or English, speaks to the universal emotions and beliefs that transcend cultural, social and geopolitical barriers, and are rooted in the commonality of the human experience.
With an intention of uniting and supporting Latino and Hispanic theater groups in Austin, the Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) was born in 1999. The organization has contributed to maintaining the tradition of La Pastorela, a traditional nativity play, while fostering the development of new talents in the theater arts, promoting collaborative productions among local and international artists, and bringing high-quality theater to Austin. For more information, visit www.altateatro.com.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Video Promo: La Pastorela, telenovela-style, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance, November 30 - December
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Mexican Playwright Barbara Colio for Master Class, Happy Hour and Preview Performance of Cuerdas (Strings), Austin Latino Theatre Alliance, September 12
HABLA TEATRO
“Habla Teatro” is a conversation with the playwright of "Cuerdas" on her writing process and perspective on contemporary Latin American dramaturgy.
Barbara Colio is the first Mexican playwright to win the María Teresa León International Prize for female playwrights for her play “Pequeñas certezas ”(Little Certainties). Barbara studied in “La Escuela de Letras de Madrid, Spain” and afterwards she was invited to the Royal Court Theatre International Residency for Emerging Playwrights in London. Currently she has had more than 15 plays published. In 2010, Colio’s work won the grant of Fondo Iberoamericano Iberescena. That same year, Barbara won the National Award “Premio Nacional de Bellas Artes” for her play Cuerdas (Strings).
Barbara will share with all participants the theater play from the dramaturge’s perspective; She will also talk about how contemporary Latin American dramaturgy becomes a window to experience the reality of Latin American Countries and communities, the inspirational process when writing a play and her experience on becoming a Worldwide recognized dramaturge as a Latin American Woman.
*Master Class given in Spanish with simultaneous translation to the English language*
Happy Hour with Barbara Colio 6:15 PM:
After the Master Class, ALTA will hold a Happy Hour event with Barbara Colio at Javelina Bar on Rainey st. (69 Rainey St. Austin, Texas 78701 - www.javelinabar.com)
Participants will have a chance to meet the Author, purchase Barbara’s books and get books signed. While enjoying drinks from Javelina (Javelina will donate $1.00 to ALTA for drinks purchased during the event – This is a way to support our Non-profit) (Javelina is located accross the street from the MACC, so no need to look for additional parking to go from one event to the other)
Pre-Opening night Show 8 p.m.:
At 8 pm, ALTA will showcase the Pre-opening show of Cuerdas by Barbara Colio at the Black Box of the Mexican American Cultural Center. The show will last 1:45 minutes. After the show participants will be able to meet and greet with the actors of Cuerdas.
The $50.00/$25.00 (students) registration fee will give you access to all three events, however participants are not obligated to assist to all three of them.
Video by Moontower VFX: Cuerdas (Strings) by Barbara Colio, Austin Live Theatre Alliance September 13 - 29
Upcoming: Cuerdas (Strings) by Barbara Colio, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance at Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center, September 13 - 29
(para información en español, ver abajo)
THE AUSTIN LATINO THEATER ALLIANCE PRESENTS
“CUERDAS”
a play by Barbara Colio
September 13th - 29th, 2012 with shows Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM
(No show will be performed on September 15th 2012)
Location: The Black Box at the MACC (Mexican American Cultural Center)
600 River Street, Austin, Tx 78702
General Admission: $18.00
Students and Senior Citizens: $13.00
(Students and Senior Citizens please enter the CODE: "SAS13")
Students and Senior Citizens will be asked to show an ID at the ticket booth
Group Discounts Available at the Theater Box Office for $13.00/groups over 10 people
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Karla Longnion: klongnion@altateatro.com 512.626.8968
Anjanette Gautier: agautier@altateatro.com 512.665.4560
ALTA: 512.537.ALTA (2582)
PERFORMED IN SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SURTITLES
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Images for Upcoming Natividad - A Home-made Pastorela Story by Alex Pedemonte, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance, December 1 - 17
Images for Austin's 2011 edition of La Pastorela, the Christmas play:
Austin Latino Theatre Alliance
presents
Natividad: A Home-made Pastorela Story
Directed by Alex Pedemonte
December 1 - 17, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center, 600 River Street (click for map)
Tickets $10 for children, $15 for adults
The Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) proudly announces La Pastorela 2011, a traditional Yuletide play that has been performed in Native American/Latino communities since the late 16th century when Spanish priests first introduced it to the Native people of this land. Revered in the Christmas tradition aspect, as the Latino counterpart to The Nutcracker, La Pastorela is a must see family-friendly, musical comedy this Holiday Season. This production holds strong roots in Austin’s own Latino community as its inaugural run was performed at the original Mexican American Cultural Center building in 1997.
La Pastorela 2011 production is the result of collaborative artistic efforts of many of Austin’s finest Latino actors, singers, musicians and theatrical designers. Alex Pedemonte is this year’s Artistic Director. This year’s play follows a modern day family on their journey with the myriad of challenges in today’s society. On their quest, they encounter obstacles in the form of worldly temptations put before them by crafty devils, but try to resist as guardian angels fight to keep them on their path.
Click for additional images and for a bio of director Alex Pedemonte at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .Friday, October 21, 2011
Upcoming: Natividad - A Home-made Pastorla Story, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance, December 1 - 17
Found on-line:
Austin Latino Theatre Alliance
presents
Natividad: A Home-made Pastorela Story
Directed by Alex Pedemonte
December 1 - 17, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center, 600 River Street (click for map)
The Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) proudly announces La Pastorela 2011, a traditional Yuletide play that has been performed in Native American/Latino communities since the late 16th century when Spanish priests first introduced it to the Native people of this land. Revered in the Christmas tradition aspect, as the Latino counterpart to The Nutcracker, La Pastorela is a must see family-friendly, musical comedy this Holiday Season. This production holds strong roots in Austin’s own Latino community as its inaugural run was performed at the original Mexican American Cultural Center building in 1997.La Pastorela 2011 production is the result of collaborative artistic efforts of many of Austin’s finest Latino actors, singers, musicians and theatrical designers. Alex Pedemonte is this year’s Artistic Director. This year’s play follows a modern day family on their journey with the myriad of challenges in today’s society. On their quest, they encounter obstacles in the form of worldly temptations put before them by crafty devils, but try to resist as guardian angels fight to keep them on their path.
Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .
Thursday, December 9, 2010
La Pastorela, Austin Latin Theatre Alliance, December 2 - 18
La Pastorela, the tale of the shepherds on their way to Bethlehem in search of the promised newborn babe, has a lot of history behind it. That Bible story came to the New World with the Spanish troops and frailes who occupied the New World, of course, and while accepting that account, the indigenous peoples interpreted in terms of their own experience. La Pastorela tells the story of Gila, the shepherdess who receives a visitation by the Archangel Gabriel, with the mission of persuading her family of pastoral people to travel to witness the promise of new birth and salvation. The zip and the zest of the spectacle comes from the arrogance and determination of Luzbel the beefy devil and his forces as they try to stop the shepherds' progress.
This Christmas enactment has as strong a place in Mexican and Tejano culture as does the Santa Claus tradition for the Anglos, and it makes for a much more exciting story. We take it for granted that Santa will clock in on time every Christmas Eve, but the humble human striving of this band of rural folk faces really fearsome opposition.
Austin's Tejano community began staging La Pastorela back in 1997 in a City of Austin warehouse that stood at the current site of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center. It was a cooperative effort from the very first. The pride of the community and their attachment to this celebration are evident in the meticulous two-page chronicle of the evolutions of the play over the years since that time.
The first script was a compendium, drawn from ten other versions. Directors, versions and approaches have changed, and the relatively informal Austin Latino Theatre Alliance has evolved the approach of using a different director every year. As in much popular theatre and street theatre, the texts have frequently referred to contemporary issues and events, integrating them into the action. For example, director Patricio Villarreal Ávila's text for this year's version has one of the campesinas make a couple of tart observations about Arizona, and the hermit traditionally featured in the story is a homeless woman.
Click to read more and view additional performance images at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Images of La Pastorela, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance, December 2 - 18
Found at www.lapastorela.org:
presented by ALTA, Austin Latino Theater Alliance --
La Pastorela, A Shepherd’s Story
is a contemporary musical comedy based on a traditional Yuletide play from Native-American and Latino communities
Thursdays through Saturdays, December 2nd through 18th at 8:00 p.m.
Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street, Austin, Texas.
Admission: $15 Adults, $8 Students/Seniors
The Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) proudly announces La Pastorela 2010, a traditional Yuletide play that has been performed in Native American/Latino communities since the late 16th century when Spanish priests first introduced it to the Native people of this land. Revered in the Christmas tradition aspect, as the Latino counterpart to The Nutcracker, La Pastorela is a family-friendly, musical comedy must see during this Holiday Season. The play follows a group of singing shepherds on their journey to Bethlehem. On their quest, they encounter obstacles in the form of worldly temptations put before them by crafty devils but try to resist as guardian angels fight to keep the shepherds on their path. This production holds strong roots in Austin's own Latino community as its inaugural run was performed at the original Mexican American Cultural Center building in 1997.
Click to view additional images of La Pastorela 2010 at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Upcoming: La Pastorela, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance at the Emma Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center, December 2 - 18
Found on-line:
presented by ALTA, Austin Latino Theater Alliance --
La Pastorela, A Shepherd’s Story
is a contemporary musical comedy based on a traditional Yuletide play from Native-American and Latino communities
Thursdays through Saturdays, December 2nd through 18th at 8:00 p.m.
Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street, Austin, Texas.
Admission: $15 Adults, $8 Students/Seniors
The Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) proudly announces La Pastorela 2010, a traditional Yuletide play that has been performed in Native American/Latino communities since the late 16th century when Spanish priests first introduced it to the Native people of this land. Revered in the Christmas tradition aspect, as the Latino counterpart to The Nutcracker, La Pastorela is a family-friendly, musical comedy must see during this Holiday Season. The play follows a group of singing shepherds on their journey to Bethlehem. On their quest, they encounter obstacles in the form of worldly temptations put before them by crafty devils but try to resist as guardian angels fight to keep the shepherds on their path. This production holds strong roots in Austin's own Latino community as its inaugural run was performed at the original Mexican American Cultural Center building in 1997.
La Pastorela 2010 production is the result of collaborative artistic efforts of many of Austin’s finest Latino actors, singers, musicians and theatrical designers. Patricio Villarreal Avila is this year’s Artistic Director and Francisco “Kiko” Villamizar is the Musical Director for 2010. The dynamic cast includes many talented actors from the past twelve years including, Frank Barajas, Donato Rodriguez, Diego Villarreal, as well as new to the Pastorela stage are Ana Luisa Esperon, Chris Shortic, and Tony Salinas to name a few.
About the Director: Patricio Villarreal Avila is a graduate of La Casa del Teatro in Mexico City and has studied under Ileana Dieguez in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Mexico City. Patricio has studied and performed as a member of Escuela Internacional Teatral de America Latina y el Caribe. Patricio has over 18 years of theater experience and says of his 2010 Artistic Direction, “I am thrilled to recreate the original concept of this production of La Pastorela, integrating the oldest traditions from the 16th century with a 21st century artistic experience. I want to give the audience the feel of our old traditions, but with current issues effecting our community today.”
This project is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Friday, December 11, 2009
La Pastorela, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance at the Mexican American Cultural Center, December 3 - 19

UPDATE: KUT's Mike Lee interviews director Deanna Deolloz, December 11
Found on-line:
ALTA presents
La Pastorela, A Shepherd’s Story
Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street
December 3 - 19, Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m.
$12 Adults, $8 Students/Seniors
Tickets www.austix.com, 512-474 –8497 or at the theater one hour before each performance.
La Pastorela is a contemporary musical comedy based on a traditional Yuletide play from Native-American and Latino communities presented by ALTA, Austin Latino Theater Alliance.
The Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) proudly presents La Pastorela 2009, a traditional Yuletide play that has been performed in Native American/Latino communities since the late 16th century when Spanish priests first introduced it to the Native people of this land. Revered in the Christmas tradition aspect, as the Latino counterpart to The Nutcracker, La Pastorela is a family-friendly, musical comedy must see during this Holiday Season. The play follows a group of singing shepherds on their journey to Bethlehem. On their quest, they encounter obstacles in the form of worldly temptations put before them by crafty devils but resist as guardian angels fight to keep the shepherds on their path. This production holds strong roots in Austin's own Latino community as its inaugural run was performed at the original Mexican American Cultural Center building in 1997.
La Pastorela 2009 production is the result of collaborative artistic efforts of many of Austin’s finest Latino actors, singers, musicians and theatrical designers. Founder of the female artist workshop series, Luna Femenina, Deanna Deolloz will direct the 2009 La Pastorela. The Musical Director for 2009 is Brian Ramos of Charanga Cakewalk and creator of Cine Las Americas’ Beat Lab program. The dynamic cast includes many talented actors from the past eleven years including, Marita De La Torre reprising the role of Gila in 2001, Anisha Monay reprising her 2007 role of Pecado (Sin) and Diego Villarreal as Luzbel from the 2008 cast. New to the Pastorela stage are Frank Rios, Joy Scott, Nicole French, Miranda Kromer, Doug Costello and Natalina Ross in a gender-altered, hilarious portrayal of the “Hermit” to name a few.
About the Director: Deanna Deolloz is a Theater Arts graduate from Texas State University. She has over 15 years of theater production experience and has been a part of Austin's La Pastorela since this version was first produced in 1997. Deanna is the Founder of Luna Femenina, a monthly art forum and showcase for women artists in Austin. Deanna has worked with several of the leading Austin Latino organizations including Teatro Vivo, LUPE Arte, Escuelita del Alma and Alma de Mujer among others. Deanna says of her 2009 Artistic Direction, “I am very excited to recreate the original concept of this production by making this a collaborative effort of the artists in this community”.
This project is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.