Subterrania co. To premiere next Saturday, May 20, at the TAC in Cattroja (Valencia), the show ‘Persona’, a collectively created proposal that aims to show and claim diversity, brings on stage the experiences of a dozen representatives of different social groups. brings ,
The proposal is the result of a “creative, interdisciplinary and research process” on “how to build from and for diversity”.
The theater company La Subterranea thus presents a play created by 12 people from different social groups, with whom they have worked for six months to create a show that tries to justify diversity. Migrant, deaf, elderly, LGTBI and professional actresses share a project, which includes participants ranging in age from 27 to 85.
This special cast is the result of a preliminary workshop that took place in January of this year and that allowed Ester Medrano and La Subterranea founder Lucia Saez to select the cast and investigate doing theater with such a heterogeneous group .
« We tried not to indicate the circumstances of each group, but to create a meeting space where everyone could express themselves freely, create with emotion, live in the present and move forward Could not have enjoyed the beautiful event without it. Naturally, the result of working with such diverse people is a work that, in turn, appeals to very diverse audiences and does not stop at representation, but promotes social change,” the managers of La Suternea explained in a statement.
Similarly, ‘Persona’ includes actors and actresses, along with other artists, so that the participants in this phase project are also professionals who have simultaneously learned an unusual creative method and work with specific groups. Got the tools to do it. “The process is enriched in two directions,” Ester Medrano and Lucia Saez insisted.
Sign language
On the other hand, the diversity that characterizes the cast of ‘Persona’ has worked on accessibility during the creative process. « We did simultaneous subtitles at every rehearsal session and we ended up integrating sign language into the production as a natural part of the scene. In addition, the show will also have subtitles”, say the founders of La Subterranea.
Following its premiere at the TAC, the piece will head to the Rialto Theater in Valencia, where daily screenings will be offered from June 1 to June 4.
“It wouldn’t have been possible to get there without the support we’ve received,” say Ester Medrano and Lucia Sez. Notably, this project has been one of those chosen by Fundacio La Caixa’s Art for Change, a state call that promotes artistic initiatives in which vulnerable groups participate.
Likewise, it is part of Granars de Creation, a program of residencies for the performing arts promoted by the Generalitat Valenciana.
