Ep. 32: MERENDIANDO with Conchi León
May 27, 2020
“A mi eso es lo que me apasiona, ver cómo la modernidad se atraviesa con la tradición / That’s what I’m passionate about – seeing how modernity intersects with tradition.” – Conchi Leon
Conchi Leon is a celebrated Mexican dramaturg, director and actor from Mérida, Yucatán. She has written over 60 plays and teaches workshops in dramaturgy, biodrama, ritual and testimonial theatre. Her theatre work with children with disabilities, homeless youth, and incarcerated people has been recognized by the Commission of Human Rights in Yucatán.
In this all Spanish episode, we talk about her experiences creating theatre in collaboration with Mestiza communities, the art of testimonial theatre, where to find rue (ruda) in New York, and we meet a rooster (sort of).
Show Notes:
- Conchi’s YouTube channel, with hilarious hammock work out videos
- Teatro testimonial or testimonial theatre.
- Del Manantial del Corazón (The Spring of the Heart) at Aluna’s 2018 RUTAS Festival.
- Some current Mexican artists Conchi mentions: Claudio Valdez Curi, Laura Uribe, Martin Acosta, David Olguin.
- FONCA, or the National Fund for Arts and Culture in Mexico
- Contigo a la Distancia, or With You at a Distance, a digital cultural space presented by the government of Mexico. Watch one of Conchi’s capsulas de cabaret featured in the series!
- The Metro Awards awarded for theatrical excellence in Mexico, and run by Sergio Villegas.
All Merendiando episodes are in Spanglish. New episodes of Radio Aluna Theatre are released every Wednesday. Subscribe to this show wherever you get your podcasts.
Radio Aluna Teatro is produced by Aluna Theatre with support from the Metcalf Foundation, The Laidlaw Foundation, The Canada Council for the Arts, and The Ontario Arts Council.
Aluna Theatre is Beatriz Pizano & Trevor Schwellnus, with Sue Balint & Gia Nahmens; Radio Aluna Theatre is produced by Camila Diaz-Varela and Monica Garrido.
For more about Aluna Theatre, visit us at alunatheatre.ca, follow @alunatheatre on twitter or instagram, or ‘like’ us on facebook.
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