Report to International Programs RE: Travel Grant –TIJUANA THEATRE TOUR

Description:
The International Programs Award supported the production and travel costs of Onionskins and Angels/Cascaras de Cebolla y Angeles tour to Centro Cultural in Tijuana, January 2001. The invitation to perform in Tijuana arose from the success of our theatre for youth production, Beyond Borders, which toured there last year. We are eager to maintain this important international connection.

This special project built on the link we have established with the Education Outreach Office of the Centro Cutural in Tijuana. The project had the support of the Theatre Department faculty and the commitment of a group of students who were eager to participate in the project. Genaro Bermudez, who has been involved with four previous touring shows in varying roles as crew, stage manager and assitant director, directed this show for a Spanish speaking audience. The ensemble cast was drawn from the pool of actors that have experience at this theatre having toured there in the last two years; Olivia Espinosa, Javier Guerrero, Noel Irribe, Veronica Burgess, John Litten and Pauline Rulla. Other interested students volunteered to help with sets, costumes and lights.

Significance/Student Benefit:
As well as extending and validating the experimental approach exploring border issues that we have adopted in our Theatre for youth program, this production of Onionskins and Angels/Cascaras de Cebolla y Angeles provided an unprecedented opportunity theatre students as self-sufficient performers, directors, designers, and technicians.

Problems that arose
At the last minute, as we were about to cross the border a number of concerns arose as to the status of this group and the liabilities for the University. The group signed indemnity forms, accident insurance for travelling across the border etc. We also had a problem with U S Customs, crossing back and forth with the properties and sets for the show. Though we had an official list of items that had been verified as part of the show, there was a still a long hold-up both ways.

Response
In Tijuana the show went over extremely well. There were 4 performances and at each performance busloads of school children arrived to fill the large auditorium at the Centro Cultural. Three thousand school children saw the performances. Adriana Chavez the head of the Servicios Educativos said that San Diego State University Theatre Department shows and these students in particular are becoming "well known in Tijuana". The Education Outreach department had to turn several schools away as they were fully booked. It seems that they are eager to pursue more opportunities with us in the future. The audience response was overwhelming. They were delighted with the style of the performance and the work of the talented students. They roared their approval and kissed the air to commend the charisma of the players. The response from students in the theatre department was equally good. Students commented on the colour, vitality, energy and humour of the production

Evaluation
Questions.
Can we build on this experience to shape a program option for future years?
What are the pre-requisites for participation?
How can we simplify the border issues?

Personal Reflections
Although I was initially a little wary about navigating the difficulties of crossing the border and about entrusting the students with a great deal of responsibility of this production, I was gradually re-assured that this was a extraordinary growth opportunity on every level – organizational and artistic. In the final analysis I was rewarded with the realization that these students accomplished what amounted to a professional engagement and demonstrated their growth of understanding and skills in this area. Moreover they are helping to create a performance style which is attractive to diverse audiences of all ages. Any problems along the way were all forgotten in the tremendous response from the students and the audience.

Thanks
I would like thank the International programs for the support of this venture. Besides the obvious artistic, educational and professional value of the experience for our student actors, this project has an important social significance at this time in its connection to young people on both sides of the border.

The cast reflects the talented, diverse SDSU population. In this project, the students acted as ambassadors for SDSU, for the discipline of Theatre and indeed for the United states in an offering of their work across an international border.