The biggest challenge for theater productions in the Dominican Republic is and has been for years the lack and acquisition of economic resources for the shows.
This is what the theater producer emphasizes Camilo Landestoy ensuring that very few companies or entities are willing to support independent productions, which makes it difficult to achieve the visual bill or achieve the standards in production values that small to medium sized theater producers set out to do.
In his view, this situation is aggravated by the shortage of theaters in Santo Domingo and the rest of the country, the absence of a Theatrical law which, among other things, encourages private investment -which is almost nil- and the absence of state platforms or incentive programs for theatrical creation.
Landestoy states that, despite the shortcomings, progress has been made, with a view to a true democratization of theater in the Dominican Republic, among which the following stand out: the formation of new groups or theater companies, the emergence of new generations of theater artists who bring with self proposals, varied styles, aesthetics and genre, along with the trajectory of veterans.
“Many make an effort to produce assemblies expressly designed to facilitate their mobility in any part of the country. However, it is an unavoidable reality that most provinces do not have theaters or the technical resources to carry out certain theater productions whose lighting, sound and stage technology requirements are more demanding. When we add to this the cost of mobilizing cast, set design, equipment rental, transportation, accommodation and other issues, this mobilization is hardly profitable,” confesses Landestoy.
After 10 years in the theater, working and learning from great masters of the local scene such as María Castillo, Manuel Chapuseaux, Carlota Carretero, Haffe Serulle, Guillermo Cordero and others, Landestoy founded Cuadro Dramático de Santo Domingo to make his own productions.
applying a philosophy and work dynamics that he has developed over the course of his professional experience. He seeks to explore the taste for the great classics of theater and universal literature, injecting them with a contemporary sensibility that allows him to connect with current generations.
His current project is the staging of the play “Las Sillas” by Eugéne Ionesco, which will premiere on December 2 at the Casa de Teatro, considered a French classic, a masterpiece of the theater of the absurd of the 20th century. .
“Las Sillas” is a work that can be enjoyed by both young and adult audiences, from the age of 12 onwards, it explores human issues that resonate with all audiences, while continuing to exploit the inherent comedy of the characters, very entertaining experience, as well as reflective.
“Producing this work was a highly collaborative process, between artists of all stripes: set designer, costume designer, lighting designer, music designer, along with the actors on stage, all under the direction of Indiana Brito. We have invested long hours of creative work to bring a very high quality theatrical proposal to the Dominican public”.
