BY ROSALBA ROLÓN
Let’s party! Pregones/PRTT’s 23-24 Season has arrived, bringing in-person theater, music, dance, exhibits, films, outdoors events, and multiple collaborations to our Bronx and Manhattan theaters and neighborhood public spaces. Our cable TV and online offerings will continue, as will our artists’ participation in a range of streamed interviews and events.
A new Season in the arts is the equivalent of a New Year’s celebration. For most of us, the New Season runs through June 30th of the following year – our New Season’s Eve. With it comes the traditional New Season’s resolutions, the return of our audience’s favorite programs and the birth of brand-new artistic experiments. I love to tease so I’ll mention here a few highlights of this very exciting Season. Our amazing marketing and outreach team will bring you up to date information through our social media, community notices, e-News and website throughout the year. And, of course, I’ll stay in touch through my blog as well.
SO WHAT’S IN STORE? BUCKLE UP!
Our core Programs: Mainstage, Presenting, Education and Touring, are unleashing a broad range of events, initiatives, and collaborative creations with our Ensemble artists and a rich roster of guest artists from around the nation and Puerto Rico. Our Repertoire continues to thrive with exciting revivals as well as brand new works. Visiting artists offer a rich variety of multidisciplinary experiences year-round.
In The Bronx: BURNED by Alejandra Ramos Riera as part of our ABRAZO/EMBRACE initiative for community wellness and post-pandemic mental health • ARTISTIC RESIDENCIES by Los Pleneros de La 21, Kyoung’s Pacific Beat, People’s Theatre Project • STAGE GARDEN RUMBA with new Saturday activations of South Bronx community gardens starting September • MARCH IS MUSIC monthlong multi-genre concert series curated by Alvan Colón Lespier and Desmar Guevara • ART EXHIBITS including new works from the artists of En Foco, championing diversity in photography • Plus CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS and SPECIAL EVENTS that will keep our theater doors, and all of The Bronx, swinging!
In Manhattan: LAW AND DISORDER by lawyer turned actor/comedian Eli Castro, last seen in the sold-out run of MADE IN PUERTO RICO, tickets on sale now • First Manhattan run of THE RED ROSE, based on the life and writings of pioneering journalist and Puerto Rican community activist Jesús Colón • First Manhattan run of THE DESIRE OF THE ASTRONAUT, the thrilling saga of the last Boricua in space • Workshop production of PARROTS AT THE PAGODA, in tribute to Latin music and drag performance giant Johnny Rodríguez • Sixth edition of SOLFEST–A LATINÉ THEATER FESTIVAL with The Sol Project • Reboot of PLATAFORMA: The Bronx-Broadway Showcase for Latinx Theater • Plus much more to keep boosting our collective presence in the Theater District!
Online: Our most dazzling edition of 21 ISLANDS INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FEST yet, with films selected from over 2,000 entries by independent makers from the around the planet • BRONX FILM WEDNESDAYS with new programs curated by Melisa Ramos and presented in partnership with BronxNet TV • New episodes of STAGE GARDEN RUMBA: DIGITAL with choice performances from 2022 and 2023 • Plus LIVESTREAMING of select events throughout the year!
Education: More bilingual TRASFONDOS/BACKSTORIES behind-the-scenes learning project activities for youth and adults, including launch of new COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS track • Expanded menu and calendar of opportunities from the RAÚL JULIÁ TRAINING UNIT + BEYOND WORKSHOP SERIES, our rolling, intensive, conservatory-style partnership with R.Evolución Latina • Plus developmental and performance activities from our ongoing STEP UP ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE and ASAP SPACE GRANTS initiatives • plus readying for an exciting career ahead!
On The Road: Travel plans by Ensemble members and company leaders include performances of WE HAVE IRÉ at MACLA in San Jose, California, and Cara Mía in Dallas, Texas • Visits to sister organizations in the national cohort of the WALLACE FOUNDATION’S NEW ARTS INITIATIVE • Exchange and collaboration with the networks of ART IN A DEMOCRACY in Kentucky and the SOUTHERN ARTS & CULTURE COALITION in Virginia • Relationship-building visits to MIFA in Holyoke, Massachusetts • plus other adventures to come throughout the Season!
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE… HINTS, that is!
Our decades-long practice of production, creative, and legacy collaborations is thriving. MUCHAS GRACIAS to this year’s collaborators and partners, the list continues to grow and we can’t wait to tell you more soon!
THUMBS UP to my indispensable Artistic Team partners, Alvan Colón Lespier, Jorge B. Merced, and Desmar Guevara. To our amazing Administrative, Production, Development, Marketing, and Facilities Teams, YOU’RE SIMPLY THE BEST.
TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY: We invite you to get on The Bronx-Manhattan Theater Express today to make the most of your Pregones/PRTT experience in 2023-2024! Join as a Member with yearlong perks, as a Bundles or Single Ticket Buyer, as a Volunteer, as a Group Organizer, as a Zip Tickets Neighbor, or as a certified Ambassador. We have room for all!
ALL ABOARD!! and HAPPY NEW SEASON!
Rosalba Rolón
Artistic Director
Pregones/PRTT
Pictured above (clockwise from top left): Production photos from Made in Puerto Rico feat. Eli Castro; Harlem Hellfighters on a Latin Beat; Aloha Boricua; and Torched!