Arizona State University Borderlands Offers El Vagon

Posted by on March 1, 2007 in News

Arizona State University Borderlands Offers El Vagon

Performance in the Borderlands offers spring events with EL VAGON by Silvia Gonzalez S.

The Performance in the Borderlands Project at ASU introduces another exciting and thought-provoking series of screenings, performances and discussions with artists, critics and scholars on topics related to cross-cultural performing arts. The events will be held through April 14 and are free, unless otherwise noted. “One of the most exciting aspects of this series is the focus on conversations with guest artists and performance practitioners who are collaborating with ASU students and faculty,” says Ramon Rivera-Servera, an assistant professor of theater and a Southwest Borderlands scholar. “The series offers the public a unique opportunity to learn about these artists, and to preview some of the most interesting work being produced in the Southwest.” The Performance in the Borderlands Project, part of the Herberger College’s School of Theatre and Film at ASU, is a research, education and public programming initiative dedicated to the understanding and promotion of cultural performance along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In working to understand the diversity of cultures and artistic traditions in the region, this initiative examines a broad range of performance techniques, including theater, dance, musical practice, ritual, celebrations, and social and folkloric dance. “Initiatives like Performance in the Borderlands bring our communities intimately closer to the cultural gems of our region,” Rivera-Servera says. At 8 p.m., March 25, in the John Paul Theater at Phoenix College, located at 1202 W. Thomas Road in Phoenix, Teatro Bravo presents “El Vagon” by playwright Silvia Gonzalez S. “El Vagon” is a riveting and tragic tale about four Mexican nationals and a Salvadoran immigrant who get trapped inside a boxcar as they attempt to enter the United States. A post-performance discussion with playwright and director Guillermo Reyes follows. Tickets are $15, and they are available by calling Teatro Bravo at (602) 258-1800, or by sending an e-mail to ( info@teatrobravo.org ).