Dear International League Members, Please be our guest for the 6th Annual U.S./Mexico Playwright Exchange, with public readings starting Saturday, November 12th! Three Mexican playwrights are teamed up with local bilingual playwright translators and the result is fresh translations of some of the most interesting new Mexican plays. For our 4th translation this year, we have an exciting project. Caridad Svich will be working with director Barclay Goldsmith, the AD of Borderlands Theatre on a work by esteemed Mexican playwright, Victor Hugo Rascón Banda.
Although Mr. Rascon died in 2008, he is known internationally and was an avid supporter of this translation residency from its inception. In addition to readings of the four plays, I’d like to invite you to the Celebración on Monday, November 14th at 7:30 pm. This culminating event is a fun way to hear excerpts of the plays and meet the artists at a post-reading reception. Please RSVP to my assistant Zachary Tomlinson at ArtisticIntern2@larktheatre.org. Additionally, please note the two different locations of the events.
To learn more about the history of the U.S./Mexico Playwright Exchange, please visit our program website. You can read excerpts of scripts from past years and learn more about the Mexican and American artists that have been involved. We hope to see you soon! All my best, Lisa RotheDirector of Offsite Programs and Partnerships 6th ANNUAL
U.S. / MÉXICO
PLAYWRIGHT EXCHANGEin collaboration with FONCA (México's National Fund for Culture and Arts) 4 mexican playwrights
4 u.s. playwrights
10 day dialogue
4 free new plays in translation
1 celebración
PUBLIC READINGS: Saturday, November 12 – 3pm
ACHERON: THE RIVER OF TRAGEDY (ACHERÓN)by Luis Xavier Corona Villanova translated by Susana Cook
A play about identity and immigration, understood as a journey of no return. Leonardo, a lively and young man, dreams of crossing the river Acheron to stay on the other side and live the Death-Dream in Hades. His dreams are halted, however, when he gets caught by Nicanor, a dark and mysterious agent who was once like Leonardo, although he can no longer remember; the only thing he has kept is his name.
Saturday, November 12 – 7pmABSENCE (EL AUSENTE)by Victor Hugo Rascón Banda translated by Caridad Svich
Three generations of a Mexico City family endure the absence of a son and husband who have left for the United States. The epic journey of the migrant northward too often overshadows the stories of the loved ones left behind– this play tells their story.
Sunday, November 13 – 3pmMEMORAMAby Mario Cantú Toscano translated by Carmen Rivera
A kidnapping… an act of vengeance… Not all appears as it seems in MEMORAMA. Two men, a colonel and his prisoner, are locked in a basement. While the prisoner fights for his life, secrets reveal a multi-layered deception that blurs the line between justice and revenge.
Sunday, november 13 – 7pmPORK KIDNEYS TO SOOTHE DISPAIR (RIÑON DE CERDO PARA EL DESCONSUELO)by Alejandro Ricaño Rodríguez translated by Daniel Jáquez
A dark comedy. Paris 1940's. Fact and fiction intertwine to tell a story of complicated love, artistic obsession and murder. Gustave, a fan of Joyce's Ulysses is an unsuccessful writer; Marie is undeniably in love with him. Together they stalk Samuel Beckett to protect him and ensure that his masterpiece is completed. all public readings will be @ the LARK BAREBONES STUDIO311 w 43rd street, 5th floor (btw 8th & 9th avenues)Subway: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, Q, R to Times Square
Monday, November 14 – 7:30 pm ¡Celebración! Come hear excerpts from these exciting new works, meet the writers, and help us celebrate this international exchange with food and drinks!@ Repertorio Español138 East 27th Street (bet. Lexington & 3rd Avenue)6, N, R to 28th Street.
