Under the motto “Theatrical Experiences in Context,” students from 14 vocational, artistic and Comprehensive Special Education oriented secondary schools participated in the interdisciplinary and inclusive meeting that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and motivation by representing a wide variety of theatrical genres and approaches in a compact format on topics relevant to society.
This Thursday, the First Provincial Meeting of Short Theater was held in the Armando Tejada Gómez Room of the Julio Le Parc Cultural Space in Guaymallén, under the motto “Scenic Experiences in Context,” an event that allowed various educational institutions in the province to exhibit their theatrical productions from a platform of short works, providing the opportunity to present a wide variety of genres and approaches in a compact format, positioning the performing arts as the knowledge that allows us to think about our reality and transform it.
The meeting, organized by the coordination of the Artistic Education modality, led by Marcelo Bartolomé, dependent on the Directorate of Educational Quality Planning of the DGE, led by Nélida Maluf, was developed in two segments, morning and afternoon shifts, where the schools presented their proposals according to the established schedule.
The opening ceremony was attended by the coordinator of the Artistic Education modality, Marcelo Bartolomé; the deputy coordinator, Carina López; the supervisor of section 2 EAV, Aldo Muzi; the supervisor of section 4 of Special Education, María Alejandra Contreras; the undersecretary of Culture of the province, Diego Gareca and other authorities of the Undersecretary of Culture; representatives of the team of the Coordination of the Artistic Education Modality, Víctor Agüero (Theater), Ceferino Manzanares (Music), Flavia González (Visual Arts), Ivana Pisutto (Audiovisuals); the special collaboration of Adriana Gigena, actress, director and theater teacher; the theater group “La Libélula” and Augusto “TheLooper”, magician and musician; directors, teachers, students, family members and the general public.
Marcelo Bartolomé stated: “Scenic Experiences in Context is the first provincial meeting of short theatre that, based on scenic construction, allows for the growth of the capacity to symbolize, fostering creativity by facilitating the exploration of conventional and non-conventional themes and forms of expression. It also contributes to the formation of audiences by making theatre more accessible, attractive and a meeting point for a variety of people to connect, share experiences and reflect on issues relevant to society.”
Finally, he added, “I congratulate each of the educational institutions that were part of this meeting from different parts of the province; secondary schools, vocational arts schools and especially those in the Special Education modality, for all the display they put on stage. I am very proud of what we experienced, which reflects the support and that not only educate in art, but also contribute to the construction of more inclusive and supportive communities,” concluded Bartolomé.
Meanwhile, Diego Gareca highlighted: “We are happy to be here receiving the schools and their productions, where we can see the joint work between education and culture promoting theater in schools. It is a pleasure to open the doors of the Julio Le Parc Cultural Center to receive this Short Theater proposal carried out by the DGE, a necessary tool when thinking about public policies for cultural development with a strong educational foundation, and seeing the hallways full of students entering the room as spectators and getting on stage to perform is truly gratifying,” concluded the official.
The meeting was held in two shifts, with 6 schools participating in the morning shift and 8 schools in the afternoon shift. Each school had a different opening and closing, which then gave way to the development of the works of each educational institution. Likewise, the Américo D’Angelo school began the opening of the morning shift, through a performance by Professor Rodrigo Calderón.
Plays performed in the morning shift
• 4-146 Americo D´Angelo: “The Greatest Showman”
Choreography, songs, and acting to tell the story of a man who did not give up on achieving his dreams. Direction: Guadalupe Rodríguez
• 4-064 Mayor Juan Kairuz: “Love and the Gods”
Collective creation based on the myth of the soul mate from Plato’s Symposium expressed by the gods of Olympus. Direction: Laura Cortez
• 2-705 León Gieco: “Meganiñes” (shadow theatre version)
The story of a town surrounded by hills, and its inhabitants surprised to see that the water of the river has strangely changed its color. Dramaturgy and Direction: Agua Mercedes Somoza.
• 5-012 Albertina Co.: “Bewitched Robin”
The story takes place in Nottingham Forest, where Robin Hood falls under a spell and betrays his friends by allying himself with King Richard. Directed by: Maida Soledad Pérez.
• 4-096 Mario Anselmo Sánchez: “Endless situations”
In a family environment, two very different brothers only find peace in the outside world and one of them ends up on an unpleasant path. Direction: María José Romero
• P-001 Don Bosco: “The Mystery of Horwood Hospital”
In a post-apocalyptic Argentina, a new variant of Covid-19 appears that turns those infected into zombies. A group of scientists will search for a cure to save the country and the world. Directed by Gastón Rivera.
Finally, at the closing, those present enjoyed a very emotional musical moment led by student Ailen Rodrigo from 5th 1st grade, specializing in theater at the Américo D’Angelo school, who performed the song “Que nos volvamos a ver” (Let’s meet again), as an expression of the wish that life will bring them together again at the 2025 Meeting. Then, certificates were awarded to the participating schools.
Plays performed in the afternoon
On this occasion, the opening was given by EAV 5-002 Adela Ponce de Bosshardt, through a scene called “Chaplin’s World” based on the film The Great Dictator and based on the analysis of Chaplin’s cinematographic work. Afterwards, the second stage of the meeting began.
• 5-002 Adela Ponce de Bosshardt: Fragment of the work “We are all young ladies”
A group of actresses have been travelling the roads since time immemorial, moving a cart with their arguments, making theatre. Using resources from the Commedia dell’Arte and popular theatre, they shake up the structures and laugh at themselves and at all of us, spreading enthusiasm and vitality despite adversity and darkness. Directed by: Andrea Simón.
• 2-716 Rosa Elena Martinelli: “Fly, the only normal thing is to be DIFFERENT”
The story follows the path of a blind teenager, who struggles to feel part of a group like the others in the standards imposed by his peers, valuing everything he wants to be without leaving aside his own essence. Direction: Gustavo Olguín
• 4-008 Brother Mamerto Esquiú: “Family Battle”
Sometimes teenagers make bad decisions when they don’t have support networks, family, friendship, and institutions that should protect them. It is the story of Clara, a girl who suffers and looks for an easy way out and how her story can change when love networks work. Directed by: Julieta Gentile
• 2-713 Sin Nombre: “The Blacksmith and the Devil”
A collective creation based on the classic tale “The Blacksmith and the Devil” adapted by students and combining two workshops in Theatre and Visual Arts. Directed by Daniel Moisés Moral and Gastón Rivera.
• 4-148 Manuel Belgrano: “Teenagers’ Stories”
Short plays, created by students, based on lessons learned during the year in the area of Theatre. Direction: AyelenCairoli
• 5-019 Professor Marita Iervolino: “Jaque Mate”
Long ago there were two kingdoms at war, but there was a moment when they decided to make peace. Romance, intrigue and betrayal are played out on a chessboard. Director: Mauro Ezequiel Winckler.
• 5-029 Ana Maria Caroli: “Red”
Diablo is looking for love in the Rose Market. He must conquer Rubilda, the apple seller. What he doesn’t know is that she is hiding a huge secret. Director: Guadalupe Carnero
• PS-141 Santa Maria de Belén: “Miseries of the 21st century”
Moments and instants of the 21st century that invite us to reflect on who we are and on our relationship with others. Directed by Gastón Rivera.
At the end of the afternoon session, the 4-064 Intendente Juan Kairuz school repeated the play with which it participated in the morning session, “Love and the Gods”, where the students changed the ending to talk about love that always triumphs and its relationship with the theater. The event ended with the presentation of certificates to the participating schools.
In this sense, Lourdes Sánchez, director of school 4-146 Américo D’Angelo and Laura Cortés, teacher at school 4-064 Intendente Juan Kairuz, expressed that “This meeting represented an opportunity for 5th year students and some more advanced students from other years of the Theater modality, to develop different roles according to their profile and level of training, as part of their Professional Practices, this being a very enriching experience.”
It is worth mentioning that the day had an emotional moment in which authorities from the Coordination of Vocational Artistic Education of the DGE, gave an outstanding recognition to Ester Trozzo, for her career throughout these years, Theater teacher, poet, narrator, researcher, playwright, actress, who as a teacher participated in the creation of the theater professorship at the Faculty of Art and Design of the UNCUYO, in addition to the publication of several books. As a reference for theater, she is a great fighter so that in the schools of our province the Theater allows students to be participants and makers of culture that promotes a creative view of reality through artistic expressions in the different schools of all levels and modalities of the province of Mendoza.
Finally, this edition, under the motto “Scenic Experiences in Context” was an invitation to schools to design and exhibit their proposals, considering art as the knowledge that allows us to think about our reality and transform it to make visible the importance of artistic education in this case “El Teatro Breve” in the comprehensive training of children, young people and adults, renewing their views and questions to transform them into genuine and significant artistic productions and experiences.
Source: DGE Press
