April 21-23 8 pm •  Admission is free • Seating is limited • RESERVATIONS ENCOURAGED

Thursday, April 21 8pm  Lightning Strikes by Erica Saenz

Friday, April 22 Two performances 6:30 & 8:00 PM  Mariachi Girl by Roxanne Schroeder-Arce

Saturday, April 23 8pm Dos Pocitos by Raul Garza

These workshop-style presentations are lively readings with props and movement on stage, riding the fence between staged reading and full-out production. After each production the playwright and audience will participate in moderated talk-back sessions so attendees can provide feedback to the playwrights. Though the productions have Latino roots, they explore cross-cultural age-old themes and modern dilemmas that will surprise, challenge, engage and push the dramatic envelope for audience members accustomed to one-way conversations at the theater.

August 2011

Thursday, April 5 8pm  Rosalia by Arthur Marroquin Friday,

April 6 8pm Cura by Raul Garza Saturday, April 7 8pm Guapa by Caridad Svich

These workshop-style presentations are lively readings with props and movement on stage, riding the fence between staged reading and full-out production. After each production the playwright and audience will participate in moderated talk-back sessions so attendees can provide feedback to the playwrights. Though the productions have Latino roots, they explore cross-cultural age-old themes and modern dilemmas that will surprise, challenge, engage and push the dramatic envelope for audience members accustomed to one-way conversations at the theater.

August 2012

Cura by Raul Garza

Cura explores what happens when faith is tested to its limits. In a small Texas bordertown in 1938, a humble, defeated woman of faith, Amparo, encounters both spiritual hope and crisis in a young man who may or may not be the legendary Curandero/Saint, El Niño Fidencio. The Spanish word “cura” means both “cure” and “priest.”

Advisory – This production is for mature audiences  16 + years old

Performed at the Vanguard Theater

October 2012

Mariachi Girl by Zachary Scott

Mariachi Girl is a bilingual musical for the whole family! Eight-year-old Carmencita dreams of being in her father’s Mariachi band, but her father insists that mariachi groups can only include men.  When Carmencita reads a book about a famous female mariachi it expands her world and notion what is possible.  Full of vibrant original mariachi music, this play explores how one girl can challenge her identity in a modern society while embracing her rich heritage.

December 2012

Cuento Navideño, Bah Humbug in the Barrio by Rupert Reyes

Teatro Vivo returns in December 2012 with the gift of laughter this holiday season with the bilingual comedy, Cuento Navideño, Bah Humbug in the Barrio. Written and directed by Rupert Reyes and inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol,  Cuento Navideño (A Christmas Story) takes place on Christmas Eve in a modern, urban Latino community. Evangelina Cruz is the Latina Ebenezer Scrooge! She is a selfish businesswoman who has lost touch with her culture, her family and connection to her community. An unexpected visit from the ghost of her former business partner, the once equally-greedy Teodora, sets Evangelina on a journey to look closely at her choices.  This festive bilingual comedy infuses Latino culture, Spanish language, and Latino holiday traditions in a show to be enjoyed by the whole Austin familia.