Reimagining Access and Representation in the Performing Arts During Quarantine
Publication Date
2021
Abstract
At the University of Texas at El Paso, where the authors are based, programming intended to promote community engagement had to be reconceived due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ReUnión rEvolución: a Latinx New Works Festival, an event developed in partnership with the Chamizal National Memorial, slated for late March 2020, was initially programmed with the intention of celebrating both local and national Latinx voices and stories by featuring a multitude of free events for the community. Planned events included staged readings of new plays, writing workshops, panel discussions with playwrights, and an opening and closing night reception for festival artists to connect more intentionally with the community. Necessity created opportunity and ReUnión rEvolución Radio was born; a space to investigate language, identity, and connections to the community.