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“We are few because this is a profession for survivors,” explains Iván Jiménez, vice president of the association. According to the calculations estimated by Professionals of the Theater of Alicante (ProTea) in the province of Alicante, there are no more than 60 people dedicated exclusively and professionally to this trade. The platform was born precisely for that, to protect all those who work giving life to culture on the stages of Alicante.
ProTea appears in March 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, with the aim of join forces among all professionals Alicante theater and the organizations that are responsible for its protection and dissemination. It aims to create a community with which they can be in contact, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the industry, as well as correct those characteristics that can help them strengthen the industry.
The official presentation of the platform has taken place a year later than planned, but ProTea has not abandoned its objective and has continued working during all these months to put the professional theater sector in the place it deserves.
Roo Castillo, actress and president of ProTea has expressed in the act that it has been a very complicated year, but that from the association they have made a positive balance. “We hope that in the coming months, we can grow, increase the diversity of professionals that today make up our platform, serve as a meeting point, analysis, criticism and self-criticism and dissemination,” adds the actress.
For its part, Ivan Jimenez, director and vice president of ProTea, has pointed out that when the pandemic broke out they could not even imagine everything that was coming upon them. But the team realized that in such a situation, the platform was more necessary than ever to survive.
In March of last year, the Table of Professionals of the Performing Arts (AAEE) of Alicante, formed by territorial representatives of the various professional associations of the AAEE of the Valencian Country, of which ProTea is the spokesperson. Through this action, they have managed to improve communication with the different public administrations. In order to do so, carry out initiatives such as Festival of AAEE professionals of the Diputación de Alicante, production centers or school campaigns. In addition, the need for creative spaces and residences has been expressed to the administrations.
During the presentation, they have highlighted the activities in which they have been working during their first year. Among them, a Show catalog, an updated document that includes professional theater productions, and that will be sent to all programmers and cultural managers in the province to spread their activity. Second, a Directory of professionals of the theater, which allows you to filter the content by sectors and find the different professionals who work from our province. Another of the purposes that the Platform will address is the organization of Training days for professionals and for those in the process of professionalization.
Dignify the profession
Iván Jiménez talks about one of the current problems that the theater has is the vision that the administrations have of him. Indicates that many municipalities exclusively use the theater amateur to meet the theatrical demand. “In the theater there is room for everyone, but it is true that if we want to have a quality culture, we have to prevail but, above all, dignify the work of professionals,” adds the vice president of the association.
Currently, ProTea has 35 partners, which for its founders is pretty good. “Our calculations do not suggest that there are more than 60 people who can dedicate themselves exclusively to theater in the province of Alicante. We are few because this is a profession of survival”Adds Jiménez.
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