Hollis International Scholars

Field Study 1996: Investigating Latin American Theatre in Miami and Puerto Rico

Press Releases

Stetson Students Participate in Talent Exchange
(Overall description of project, 5/9/96)

Stetson Students Discover Miami's Hispanic Theatre During Hispanic Culture Month (Recap of first two trips to Miami, 10/16/96)

Students Present Bilingual Performances at Stover Theatre
(For the Florida opening, including play bill and descriptions,10/28/96)

Theatre Students from Florida Perform at the Teatro Braulio Castillo
(For the Bayamón, Puerto Rico opening, including play bill and descriptions, 11/1/96)

Estudiantes de drama de la Florida actúan en el Braulio Castillo
(Esta versión español del estreno en Bayamón, Puerto Rico incluye el listado de las obras y sus tramas, 11/1/96)

Theatre Exchange Program Initiated in Bayamón
(Describes other Project activities in Puerto Rico, 11/1/96)

Programa de intercambio teatral se inicia en Bayamón
(Esta versión español describe otras actividades del Proyecto en Puerto Rico, 11/1/96)

DeLand, FL - Six Stetson University student actors will participate in a talent exchange program with selected Spanish-language theatres in Miami and Puerto Rico.

Will Joseph from New Port Richey, Carlos Montenegro from Fort Lauderdale, Josette Galtieri from Deltona, Mark Kenneally from Port Charlotte, Julie Schmitt from Wellington, and Kelly Sullivan from Bloomfield, Connecticut will brush up their Spanish and take to the streets of Miami and San Juan this Fall in order to study the Spanish-American theatre there from a unique perspective.

Beginning in September of 1996, the six student actors will enter the field to study Latin American culture in the U.S. first- hand through attending and participating in selected theatrical events. Aided by a preparatory course, their studies will take them to various theatres in the Miami area throughout the semester, and will culminate in a two-week tour of their own theatre production to Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Although all six students participate in the theatre at Stetson to some degree, they come from a variety of different backgrounds and intellectual interests. Although most have either a major or minor in Theatre Arts at Stetson, their studies extend well beyond the area to include such diverse interests as Economics, Spanish, History, and English. As a group, they are not only proficient actors, but are well-versed in many other activities associated with theatre production, including play directing, playwriting, stage management, set construction, stage lighting, properties design, and other tasks that make well-rounded theatre artists.

The project will be co-directed by Dr. Iliana Mankin, Assistant Professor of Spanish, and Dr. Ken McCoy, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and will serve as the pilot project for the International Scholars Program, administered by Stetson's Latin American Studies Committee and funded through the Hollis Renaissance grant.

One of the aims of the Hollis Renaissance grant is to foster new and innovative teaching methods and delivery systems, particularly those that have a multicultural and interdisciplinary focus. Stetson's talent exchange project departs from the usual "study trip" format in that the students will not only attend theatrical productions and meet theatre practitioners, but will also give performances and workshops of their own, and will conduct at least some of their educational activities in Spanish. In the process, the students appear not only as interested scholars, but as dedicated theatre practitioners in their own right. According to Dr. McCoy, "This is a unique opportunity for the students, not only to walk away with a wonderful experience, but to share their own art, to give something back so that it is a two-way exchange, and not just a discovery program. In other words, the student is asked not just to sample the Hispanic culture, but to function within it as a member, or at least a guest."

In addition to the educational and cultural experience that the students may gain, the university stands to benefit as well, since the activities of the group will result in building external contacts with other professional organizations and academic institutions, which in turn could lead to other student rewards such as internships.

It is the aim of the International Scholars Program that the exchange of talent not end with this year's travels, but exist in a semi-permanent relationship with the organizations the students contact, perhaps bringing other performers to Stetson in the years that follow. In order to facilitate such sustained activity, the group continues to search for in-kind funding by interested organizations.

The yet-to-be-chosen production taken by the group to Puerto Rico will receive a trial run as the third show of the regular Stover Theatre Season in November. For more information, contact Stetson University's Office of Public Relations or Dr. Ken McCoy, Dept. of Communication Studies and Theatre Arts.

DeLand, FL - Six Stetson University student actors are embarking upon a unique voyage of discovery during Hispanic Culture Month. This October 25 through 27, they will be making their third trip to Miami to celebrate Hispanic culture through its theatre. As theatre students, their objective is to learn about Hispanic culture by familiarizing themselves with the work of local theatre artists through attending performances and meeting the people involved. What makes their activities special is that they encounter the culture from the perspective of their field of study. The meet the theatre as theatre practitioners themselves, not merely as tourists.

Will Joseph from New Port Richey, Carlos Montenegro from Fort Lauderdale, Josette Galtieri from Deltona, Mark Kenneally from Port Charlotte, Julie Schmitt from Wellington, and Kelly Sullivan from Bloomfield, Connecticut are well-versed in all activities associated with theatre production, including acting, directing, play writing, stage management, set construction, stage lighting and sound, properties design, and other tasks that make well- rounded theatre artists.

During their first two trips, the students attended performances of La Chunga and Jineteras y Apagones, as well as a rehearsal of Loretta Greco's recent hit, Passage.

Mario Vargas Llosa's play La Chunga, produced by Alberto Sarraín and el Grupo Cultural La Má Teodora at the Creation Art Center, formed the basis for the students' first theatrical encounter. In addition to a striking production concept, the show featured actors only recently arrived from Cuba who were willing to discuss with the students their experience with life and art in Cuba as well as their transition into the theatre community of Miami.

During their second trip to Miami, the students attended Jineteras y Apagones at the Teatro Bellas Artes. Performed at one Calle Ocho's most established and successful professional theatres, Jineteras y Apagones was a fast-paced, improvisational farce that served as an excellent initiation into the theatre of the exile community. Crafted by Mario Martín and el Grupo Polyforum, the production was noteworthy not only for its comical treatment of very serious conditions of life in Cuba, but also for the actors' performance skills, which communicated the play's action and meaning despite potential language barriers. Like the actors in La Má Teodora, the actors in Jineteras y Apagones were willing to meet with the students after the production to discuss aspects of their work in the theatre and show business.

The students actors were also fortunate to attend a rehearsal of Passage, the testimonial play by Loretta Greco which presents the moving stories of recent balseros, or Cuban rafters. Originally produced by John Rodaz and the Area Stage company, the play was being prepared for a run at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. Although the students were unable to return for the opening, they were still able to meet and chat with the people involved in writing and producing the show.

Their exploration of Hispanic theatre is made possible by the Hollis International Scholar Program at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.

The Hollis International Scholars project is co-directed by Dr. Iliana Mankin, Assistant Professor of Spanish, and Dr. Ken McCoy, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and will serve as the pilot project for the program, which is administered by Stetson's Latin American Studies Committee and funded through the Hollis Renaissance grant.

One of the aims of the Hollis Renaissance grant is to foster new and innovative teaching methods and delivery systems, particularly those that have a multicultural and interdisciplinary focus. Stetson's talent exchange project departs from the usual "study trip" format in that the students will not only attend theatrical productions and meet theatre practitioners, but will also give performances and workshops of their own, and will conduct at least some of their educational activities in Spanish. In the process, the students appear not only as interested scholars, but as dedicated theatre practitioners in their own right. According to Dr. McCoy, "This is a unique opportunity for the students, not only to walk away with a wonderful experience, but to share their own art, to give something back so that it is a two-way exchange, and not just a discovery program. In other words, the student is asked not just to sample the Hispanic culture, but to function within it as a member, or at least a guest."

It is the aim of the International Scholars Program that the exchange of talent not end with this year's travels, but exist in a semi-permanent relationship with the organizations the students contact, perhaps bringing other performers to Stetson in the years that follow.

The production taken by the group to Puerto Rico will receive a trial run as the third show of the regular Stover Theatre Season in November. For more information, contact Stetson University's Office of Public Relations or Dr. Ken McCoy, Dept. of Communication Studies and Theatre Arts.

DeLand, FL - Six Stetson students will present an evening of one- act plays as part of their on-going exploration of Hispanic culture at Stetson University's Stover Theatre from November 22-25. Part of a cultural exchange project sponsored by the Hollis International Scholars Program at Stetson University, the students will also take the show on the road to perform in Puerto Rico after its November opening.

Will Joseph from New Port Richey, Carlos Montenegro from Fort Lauderdale, Josette Galtieri from Deltona, Mark Kenneally from Port Charlotte, Julie Schmitt from Wellington, and Kelly Sullivan from Bloomfield, Connecticut form the cast for all four one-act plays.

The four one-act plays (which include two world premieres) were chosen to represent various aspects of the project, which includes sharing elements of their own theatre culture as well as exploring Hispanic and other Spanish-language theatre:

"La historia del hombre que se convirtió en perro" (The Story of the Man Who Turned into a Dog), by the Argentinian playwright Osvaldo Dragún, is an absurdist piece with shades of Kafka in which an unemployed man is forced to take a job as a guard dog. It was chosen to represent the area of Latin American drama, and will be performed in the original Spanish.

The "15 Minute Hamlet" by Tom Stoppard, is a condensation of Shakespeare's masterpiece into fifteen minutes; as expected, it is tumultuous with plenty of laughs. This piece was chosen to represent contemporary English-language theatre, and will be performed in English.

"Libaciones" (Libations) is a tongue-in-cheek piece written by one of the actor-participants, Mark Kenneally, in which a bartender discovers a double meaning behind his customers' consistent loss of consciousness. As an original work, this piece is meant to represent a more personal perspective on the contemporary American theatre; it will be translated and performed in Spanish.

The final play, and the one most directly relevant to the project, is "The Great American Justice Game" by the Emmy-Award- winning documentary film-maker, historian, and playwright Miguel González-Pando. The play is a keen satire of ethnicity in white America, experienced through a grotesque parody of "Court-TV" in which a young Hispanic woman is put on trial for her use of the Spanish language. The author is a prominent member of Miami's Hispanic community, and a member of the Latino Studies faculty at Florida International University. These Hollis International Scholars have received special permission to give this play its first full production.

The Hollis International Scholars Program is funded through the Hollis Renaissance Grant and administered by the Latin American Studies Committee at Stetson University. One of the aims of the Hollis Renaissance grant is to foster new and innovative teaching methods and delivery systems, particularly those that have a multicultural and interdisciplinary focus.

In this pilot project, the Spanish-speaking theatre cultures of South Florida and Puerto Rico are the subject of study. Over the Fall semester, the students have traveled to Miami to sample the Hispanic theatre there, and in December, they will take the production they present at Stover to Puerto Rico to be performed there. According to Dr. Ken McCoy, "We hope to use the art of the theatrical performance as a cultural bridge, and like many bridges, the traffic flows both ways. In this project, the students experience Hispanic theatre as both audiences and performers, and combine these perspectives with their own past theatre experience to form a basis for cultural exchange."

It is the aim of the International Scholars Program that the exchange of talent not end with this year's travels, but exist in a semi-permanent relationship with the organizations the students contact, perhaps bringing other performers to Stetson in the years that follow. In order to facilitate such sustained activity, the group continues to search for in-kind funding by interested organizations.

The evening of one-acts will run November 22, 23, and 25 at 8:00 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on November 24 at 3:00 p.m. Stover Theatre is located at 535 N. Florida Avenue. Free parking is available adjacent to the theatre. Admission is free of charge with open seating. Reservations are not necessary.

Bayamón, PR - Six students from Stetson University (DeLand, Florida) will present an evening of one-act plays as part of their on-going exploration of Hispanic culture at the Teatro Braulio Castillo in Bayamón from December 13-15. The performances form the first stage of a cultural exchange project sponsored by the Hollis International Scholars Program at Stetson University and the municipality of Bayamón.

William Joseph (New Port Richey, Florida), Carlos Montenegro (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), Josette Galtieri (Deltona, Florida), Mark Kenneally (Port Charlotte, Florida) Julie Schmitt (Wellington, Florida), and Kelly Sullivan (Bloomfield, Connecticut) form the cast for all four one-act plays.

The four plays (which include two world premieres) were chosen to represent various aspects of the project, which includes sharing elements of their own theatre culture as well as exploring Hispanic and other Spanish-language theatre:

"La historia del hombre que se convirtió en perro" (The Story of the Man Who Turned into a Dog), by the Argentinian playwright Osvaldo Dragún, is an absurdist piece with shades of Kafka in which an unemployed man is forced to take a job as a guard dog. It was chosen to represent the area of Latin American drama, and will be performed in the original Spanish.

The "15 Minute Hamlet" by Tom Stoppard, is a condensation of Shakespeare's masterpiece into fifteen minutes; as expected, it is tumultuous with plenty of laughs. This piece was chosen to represent contemporary English-language theatre, and will be performed in English.

"Libaciones" (Libations) is a tongue-in-cheek piece written by one of the actor-participants, Mark Kenneally, in which a bartender discovers a double meaning behind his customers' consistent loss of consciousness. As an original work, this piece is meant to represent a more personal perspective on the contemporary American theatre; it will be translated and performed in Spanish.

The final play, and the one most directly relevant to the project, is "The Great American Justice Game" by the Emmy-Award- winning documentary film-maker, historian, and playwright Miguel González-Pando. The play is a keen satire of ethnicity in white America, experienced through a grotesque parody of "Court-TV" in which a young Hispanic woman is put on trial for her use of the Spanish language. The author is a prominent member of Miami's Hispanic community, and a member of the Latino Studies faculty at Florida International University. These Hollis International Scholars have received special permission to give this play its first full production.

In addition to the performances, the students will also attend a symposium/round table discussion hosted at the University of Puerto Rico (Río Piedras). The symposium is planned with the participation of the Department of Drama Faculty, and will take place on December 10, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.; it will be followed by a workshop performance of the plays.

The Hollis International Scholars Program is funded through the Hollis Renaissance Grant and administered by the Latin American Studies Committee at Stetson University. Stetson University is a small, private, liberal arts university located in central Florida. One of the aims of the Hollis Renaissance grant is to foster new and innovative teaching methods and delivery systems, particularly those that have a multicultural and interdisciplinary focus.

In this pilot project, the Spanish-speaking theatre cultures of South Florida and Puerto Rico are the subject of study. Over the Fall semester, the students have traveled to Miami to sample the Hispanic theatre there, and in December, they will take their production they present at Stover to Puerto Rico to be performed there. According to Dr. Ken McCoy, "We hope to use the art of the theatrical performance as a cultural bridge, and like many bridges, the traffic flows both ways. In this project, the students experience Hispanic theatre as both audiences and performers, and combine these perspectives with their own past theatre experience to form a basis for cultural exchange."

It is the aim of the International Scholars Program that the exchange of talent not end with this year's travels, but exist in a semi-permanent relationship with the organizations the students contact, perhaps bringing other performers to Stetson in the years that follow. In order to facilitate such sustained activity, the group continues to search for in-kind funding by interested organizations.

The evening of one-acts will run December 13 and 14 at 8:00 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on December 15 at 3:00 p.m. El Teatro Braulio Castillo is located in the Alcaldía of the Municipio de Bayamón. Admission is free to the public.

DeLand, FL - Seis estudiantes de la Universidad de Stetson (en DeLand, Florida) presentarán una velada de obras en un acto en el Teatro Braulio Castillo de Bayamón los días 13, 14 y 15 de diciembre de este año. Esta velada es parte de un proyecto de exploración de la cultura hispánica que realizan seis estudiantes norteamericanos gracias al auspicio del Hollis International Scholars Program en la Universidad de Stetson en conjunción con el municipio de Bayamón.

William Joseph, Carlos Montenegro, Josette Gattieri, Mark Kenneally, Julie Schmitt y Kelly Sullivan componen el elenco de las cuatro obras. Las cuatro obras (dos de ellas estrenos mundiales) fueron escogidas por representar aspectos del proyecto que realizan los estudiantes, el cual incluye el compartir elementos de su propia cultura teatral (anglosajona) así como el explorar el teatro hispánico o en lengua española.

La primera obra, "Historia del hombre que se convirtió en perro," del dramaturgo argentino Osvaldo Dragún, es una pieza absurda con matices kafkianos en la que un hombre desempleado se ve obligado a tomar un empleo como perro del sereno. Se eligió esta pieza por representar una de las corrientes más modernas en el teatro hispanoamericano y se representará en el original español.

"The Fifteen Minute Hamlet" ("Hamlet en quince minutos") del inglés Tom Stoppard, es una condensación de la obra maestra shakesperiana en quince minutos. Obviamente, se torna tumultuosa e hilarante. Esta pieza fue elegida por representar el teatro en inglés contemporáneo, y será representada en el original inglés.

"Libaciones" ("Libations") es un drama de matices fársicos, escrita por uno de los estudiantes que participan en el proyecto, Mark Kenneally. En ella, un cantinero descubre un doble significado en la pérdida de consciencia de cada uno de sus clientes. Como pieza original, este drama representa un perspectiva más personal e individualizada del teatro estadounidense actual. La obra ha sido traducida del inglés y será representada en español.

La obra final y la más significativa y relevante a la exploración de la cultura hispánica es "The Great American Justice Game" ("El juego de la gran justicia americana"), del versátil pensador y escritor cubanoamericano Miguel González Pando. La obra es una aguda sátira sobre la variedad étnica en un Estados Unidos predominantemente blanco. Se logra a través de una parodia grotesca de "Corte-TV," en la que a una muchacha hispana se le celebra un juicio por ser hispana y hablar español en una sociedad xenofóbica donde la ley es ser blanco y hablar "English only." La obra, que nunca ha sido representada, ha recibido el permiso y el respaldo del autor para ser llevada a las tablas por primera vez.

En adición a estas representaciones, los estudiantes asistirán también a un simposio/mesa redonda patrocinada por el Recinto de Río Piedras de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Este simposio ha sido planeado con la colaboración de la facultad del Departamento de Drama de dicha institución, y con la participación además de los dos profesores que dirigen el proyecto de inmersión en la cultura teatral hispánica: el Dr. Ken McCoy (profesor de Artes Teatrales y de Estudios Latinoamericanos) y la Dra. Iliana Mankin (profesora de Español y Literatura Hispanoamericana) ambos de Stetson University. El simposio tendrá lugar el 10 de diciembre de 1996 a las 10:00 A.M. y será seguido de una función-taller en que se representarán las obras en cuestión.

El Hollis International Scholars Program es subvencionado por el Hollis Renaissance Grant y administrado por el Latin American Studies Committee de Stetson University. La Universidad de Stetson es una institución privada, pequeña (con una matrícula de menos de dos mil estudiantes) localizada en el centro del estado de la Florida. Una de las metas del Hollis Reinassance Grant es impulsar métodos de enseñanza nuevos e innovadores, especialmente aquellos que se prestan a enfoques interdisciplinarios y que promuevan experiencias multiculturales.

En éste, el proyecto piloto, las culturas con teatro en español de Miami y Puerto Rico son la materia de estudio. Durante el semestre del otoño de este año, los seis estudiantes han viajado a Miami para asistir a representaciones en español. Este proyecto culminará entonces, con el viaje a Puerto Rico y las actividades a las que se hizo referencia anteriormente. Según el Dr. McCoy: "Esperamos usar el arte de la representación teatral como puente cultural y que, como en otros tantos puentes, el tráfico fluya en ambas direcciones. En este proyecto los estudiantes experimentan el teatro hispánico como público y como actores, y combinan estas perspectivas con su experiencia teatral previa para formar la base del intercambio cultural."

La meta del International Scholars Program es que el intercambio de talento no termine con los viajes de este año sino que se convierta en una relación duradera con las organizaciones con las que los estudiantes estabezcan contacto, tal vez atrayendo a otros actores a proyectos similares en el futuro.

La velada de cuatro obras en un acto se llevará a cabo los días 13 y 14 de diciembre a las 8:00 P.M. y el domingo 15 en función de matiné a las 3:00 P.M. El Teatro Braulio Castillo está localizado en la Alcaldía del Municipio de Bayamón. La entrada será gratis al público.

Bayamón, PR - This December, the Municipio of Bayamón will begin the first phase of a theatre exchange program in conjunction with the International Scholars Program at Stetson University, DeLand, Florida.

The exchange program is organized by Osvaldo Pérex Vélez, Director of History and Culture of the Municipio of Bayamón, Dr. Ken McCoy, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at Stetson, and Dr. Iliana Mankin, Assistant Professor of Spanish at Stetson.

The program will include an evening of four one-act plays presented by Stetson University student actors in the Teatro Braulio Castillo, located in the Alcaldía of Bayamón, this December 13-15. The production is influenced by the students' recent experiences investigating Hispanic American theatre.

As a supplement to the performances at the Teatro Braulio Castillo, the Drama Department of the University of Puerto Rico will host a round table symposium on Tuesday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. on the subject of theatre as a means of cultural exchange.

Other activities planned for during the students' two-week visit to the Island include visits to the University of Puerto Rico in Mayag�ez, the Ateneo Puertorriqueño, and other important cultural sites, as well as meeting with other theatre professionals such as El mundo de los muñecos in Bayamón.

The Hollis International Scholars Program is funded through the Hollis Renaissance Grant and administered by the Latin American Studies Committee at Stetson University. One of the aims of the Hollis Renaissance grant is to foster new and innovative teaching methods and delivery systems, particularly those that have a multicultural and interdisciplinary focus.

In this pilot project, the Spanish-speaking theatre cultures of South Florida and Puerto Rico are the subject of study. Over the Fall semester, the students have traveled to Miami to sample the Hispanic theatre in order to familiarize themselves with the themes and styles of the Spanish language theatre there in preparation for their own performances in Bayamón. According to Dr. Ken McCoy, "We hope to use the art of the theatrical performance as a cultural bridge, and like many bridges, the traffic flows both ways. In this project, the students experience Hispanic theatre as both audiences and performers, and combine these perspectives with their own past theatre experience to form a basis for cultural exchange."

The six student actors from Stetson University that make up the Hollis International Scholars are: William Joseph (New Port Richey, Florida), Carlos Montenegro (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), Josette Galtieri (Deltona, Florida), Mark Kenneally (Port Charlotte, Florida) Julie Schmitt (Wellington, Florida), and Kelly Sullivan (Bloomfield, Connecticut).

As a small, liberal arts university, the curriculum at Stetson allows students a great deal of freedom to follow their own intellectual interests. Although all six students participate in the theatre program at Stetson, their studies also include such diverse interests as Economics, Spanish, History, and English. They are also well-versed in many other activities associated with theatre production, including play directing, playwriting, stage management, set construction, stage lighting, properties design, and other tasks that make well-rounded theatre artists.

The plays to be presented at the Teatro Braulio Castillo are: "La historia del hombre que se convirtió en perro" (The Story of the Man Who Turned into a Dog), by the Argentinian playwright Osvaldo Dragún, the "15 Minute Hamlet" by Tom Stoppard, "Libaciones" (Libations), an original work by one of the students, Mark Kenneally, and "The Great American Justice Game" by the Emmy-Award-winning documentary film-maker, historian, and playwright Miguel González-Pando.

The evening of one-acts will run December 13 and 14 at 8:00 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on December 15 at 3:00 p.m. El Teatro Braulio Castillo is located in the Alcaldía of the Municipio de Bayamón. Admission is free to the public.

Bayamón, P.R. - Este diciembre el Municipio de Bayamón dará comienzo a la primera fase de un programa de intercambio teatral en conjunción con el Hollis International Scholars Program de Stetson University, localizada en DeLand, Florida.

El programa de intercambio ha sido organizado por el Sr. Osvaldo Pérez Vélez, Director de Historia y Cultura del Municipio de Bayamón, el Dr. Ken McCoy, Profesor Auxiliar de Artes Teatrales y la Dra. Iliana Mankin, Profesora Auxiliar de Español y Literatura Hispanoamericana, ambos de Stetson University.

El programa incluirá una velada de obras en un acto en el Teatro Braulio Castillo de Bayamón los días 13, 14 y 15 de diciembre de este año. Esta velada es parte de un proyecto de exploración de la cultura hispánica que realizan seis estudiantes norteamericanos gracias al auspicio del Hollis International Scholars Program en la Universidad de Stetson en conjunción con el municipio de Bayamón.

Para suplementar a estas representaciones, el Departamento de Drama del Recinto de Río Piedras de la Universidad de Puerto Rico patrocinará a un simposio/mesa redonda sobre el tema del teatro utilizado como intercambio cultural. El simposio tendrá lugar el 10 de diciembre de 1996 a las 10:00 A.M.

Entre las otras actividades en que participará el grupo durante su estadía en Puerto Rico se encuentran una visita informal al Recinto Universitario de Mayag�ez de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, así como una visita al Ateneo Puertorriqueño y una charla con su director, el dramaturgo puertorriqueño Roberto Ramos Perea. El viaje incluirá también una reunión con otros profesionales del quehacer teatral como "El mundo de los muñecos," así como visitas a otros lugares y personas de importancia al proyecto en cuestión.

El Hollis International Scholars Program es subvencionado por el Hollis Renaissance Grant y administrado por el Latin American Studies Committee de Stetson University. La Universidad de Stetson es una institución privada, pequeña (con una matrícula de menos de dos mil estudiantes) localizada en el centro del estado de la Florida. Una de las metas del Hollis Reinassance Grant es impulsar métodos de enseñanza nuevos e innovadores, especialmente aquellos que se prestan a enfoques interdisciplinarios y que promuevan experiencias multiculturales.

En éste, el proyecto piloto, las culturas con teatro en español de Miami y Puerto Rico son la materia de estudio. Durante el semestre del otoño de este año, los seis estudiantes han viajado a Miami para asistir a representaciones en español. Este proyecto culminará entonces, con el viaje a Puerto Rico y las actividades a las que se hizo referencia anteriormente. Según el Dr. McCoy: "Esperamos usar el arte de la representación teatral como puente cultural y que, como en otros tantos puentes, el tráfico fluya en ambas direcciones. En este proyecto los estudiantes experimentan el teatro hispánico como público y como actores, y combinan estas perspectivas con su experiencia teatral previa para formar la base del intercambio cultural."

Los seis actores estudiantiles que participan en el proyecto de intercambios y que componen el elenco de las cuatro obras son: William Joseph, Carlos Montenegro, Josette Gattieri, Mark Kenneally, Julie Schmitt y Kelly Sullivan.

Puesto que Stetson es una pequeña universidad, su currículo permite a los estudiantes mucha libertad en seguir sus propios intereses intelectuales. Aunque todos los estudiantes toman clases de teatro, sus estudios también incluyen diversos intereses fuera del teatro, como económicas, español, historía y literatura. Además, como teatristas sus otras abilidades incluyen dirección, dramaturgía, gerencia de producción, carpintería, iluminación, y otras tareas relacionadas al quehacer teatral.

Las obras que se presentarán en el Teatro Braulio Castillo son: "Historia del hombre que se convirtió en perro," del dramaturgo argentino Osvaldo Dragún, "The Fifteen Minute Hamlet" ("Hamlet en quince minutos") del inglés Tom Stoppard, "Libaciones," escrita por por uno de los estudiantes que participan en el proyecto, Mark Kenneally, y "The Great American Justice Game" ("El juego de la gran justicia americana"), del versátil pensador y escritor cubanoamericano Miguel González Pando.

Esta velada de obras en un acto se presentarán en el Teatro Braulio Castillo de Bayamón los días 13 y 14 de diciembre a las 8:00 P.M. y el 15 a las 3:00 P.M. El teatro Braulio Castillo está localizado en la Alcaldía del municipio de Bayamón. La entrada es gratis al público.

Return to Hollis International Scholars Theatre Project 1996 Home Page

Please address praise, scorn, and other comments concerning the design of this and other project web pages to Ken McCoy ([email protected])

Last Update: Nov. 10, 1996