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Latinx Voices on Stage:
Community, Lineage, and Performance​

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Session

1: 6/26/2023 - 7/9/2023

Discipline

Theatre

Description

Students will perform and celebrate Latinx Theatre history using published plays and develop contemporary Latinx narratives and original work. They will also train with prominent Latinx faculty representing diverse backgrounds (Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, Costa Rican, Mexican and Cuban descent), in physical and vocal techniques to embody the ancestral and historic imagery in the language of Latinx culture and heritage.

Who Should Take This Class

Intermediate to advanced actors, performance artists, theatre teachers, playwrights with performance experience. Students of all identities curious to learn about Latinx culture and plays.

Required Application Materials (please submit materials in a single document)​

Personal Statement

Resumé

Headshot (can be a selfie)

Course coordinator will contact students to conduct interviews and synchronous auditions on Zoom.

Course Coordinator

Marie Ramirez Downing is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at Sonoma State University. She has an MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University, a BA in Theatre Arts, Acting from California State University, Fresno and is a Designated Linklater Voice Teacher. Marie is also a voice coach and teacher in the Center for Acting Training Program at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA. Marie is on the Board of Directors for (VASTA), a member of the CSU Summer Arts Advisory Council, and SSU’s President’s Hispanic Serving Institution Advisory Council.

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Important Course Information​​

This course is subject to cancellation due to COVID-19 or other unforeseen circumstances. All f​ees paid to Summer Arts and Fresno State will be fully refundable in the event of course cancellation.
All participants will need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Religious or medical exemptions may be considered.

Passport

All participants will need a valid and current passport for travel to Ireland. You will need to provide your passport number to CSU Summer Arts by June 30, 2022.

If you do not have a current passport, you are encouraged to apply for one immediately. Please check the Passport Office schedule before you apply and find out if you will need a rush order to obtain your passport in time. United States citizens do not need a visa to enter Ireland, however, citizens of other countries may.

Travel

Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. CSU Summer Arts does not provide any group flights, reservations, or recommendations for this course. You will need to provide CSU Summer Arts with your travel information.

Participants must arrive in Dublin by July 13. The first class meeting will be on Thursday, July 14 at a time to be determined.

Lodging

CSU Summer Arts is offering group lodging arrangements at Goldsmith Hall at Trinity College Dublin from Wednesday, July 13 to Wednesday, August 3 (21 nights). Lodging is a single-occupancy bedroom in an a 4- or 5-bedroom apartment with 2 bathrooms, shared kitchen and living room.

You may also make your arrangements with any hotel, vacation rental, or hostel in Dublin. You will need to provide CSU Summer Arts with your lodging information.

Common Expenses

The following information is for estimates only, your individual expenses may differ.

  • CSU Summer Arts lodging option: $1300
  • Airfare (from LAX or SFO to Dublin): $1000-1500
  • Transportation: $100
  • Cell Phone: $100​
  • Food/Spending Money: $1000

Please click here for course fees.

Scholarships

Scholarship awards range from $100 to $2000 and about 80% of students receives some scholarship assistance. Scholarship funds are not available for housing or travel costs.
To apply for scholarship assistance, please complete the Summer Arts scholarship application when you apply online for admission to the course. Click here for more information.​

Deadlines

  • Application: April 22, 2022
  • Notification: April 29, 2022
  • $500 Housing Reservation and Deposit (for Goldsmith Hall): May 16, 2022
  • $80 Insurance: May 16, 2022
  • Course Fees and $800 Housing Balance: June 13, 2022

For additional information about the course, passports and visas, or if you have any questions, contact [email protected].

Guest Artists

Andrew Sianez-De La O

Andrew Siañez-De La O (He/They) is a Mexican-American stage and audio dramatist from the US Borderlands. He was a recent finalist for the 2022 Future of Playwriting Award (Ucross Foundation, The Blank Theatre). His plays have been developed and produced across the country.

Alba Que​zada

Alba Quezada is a 2014 recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award at The New School, and has taught voice, speech, and singing for over 22 years at New School University College of Performing Arts. She has performed principal roles in opera and musical theater across the country and Europe, and has worked in film, TV, and radio.

Cynthia Santos DeCure

​Cynthia Santos DeCure is a bilingual actor, and voice and dialect coach. She is an adjunct associate professor of Acting at David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University, a certified associate teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®, and certified in Knight-Thompson Speechwork. She is co-editor of Latinx Actor Training (Routledge).

Gina S​andi Diaz

Gina Sandí-Díaz, PhD. is an assistant professor of Theatre at Fresno State, where she specializes in Latinx theatre, devised theatre, acting, and directing.

Anakarina Swanson

Anakarina Swanson has been part of the dance and theater community in Sonoma county for most of her life, and has a true passion for teaching, mentoring, and helping students grow through the arts. She still enjoys performing and is excited about her new dance studio, Breakthrough Studio.

Sandra Ma​rquez

Sandra Marquez is an award-winning actor, director and educator. She is an ensemble member at both Steppenwolf Theater Company and Teatro Vista where she served as Associate Artistic Director for many years alongside Artistic Director Edward Torres. She serves as the Co-Director of Graduate Studies, M.F.A. in Acting Program at Northwestern University.

Henry G​odinez

​Henry Godinez is resident artistic associate at Goodman Theatre, where he’s directed American Mariachi, Fannie, Feathers and Teeth, Zoot Suit, Cloud Tectonics, and Electricidad. He has directed for The O’Neill Theatre Center, Yale Repertory, Signature Theatre, Seattle Repertory, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Godinez is co-founder and inaugural artistic director of Teatro Vista, and a professor and chair of Theatre at Northwestern University.

Brian Quijada

​Brian Quijada is an Emmy-nominated playwright, actor, and composer. His solo show Where Did We Sit on the Bus? has been produced at Victory Gardens, Geva Theatre, Teatro Vista (Jeff Award), Ensemble Studio Theatre (Drama Desk Nomination), Boise Contemporary, 1st Stage, City Theatre Pittsburgh, and Actors Theatre of Louisville (Drama League Nomination).

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