TucsonStage Blog: What's happing at Borderlands Theater in 2021

Thursday, January 28, 2021

What's happing at Borderlands Theater in 2021

From: Borderlands Theater <info@borderlandstheater.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021 11:54 AM
Subject: What's happing at Borderlands in 2021

Digital Desmadre Launch this Sunday!

Happy New Year,

from Borderlands!

Introducing a New Generation of Tucson Theatre Makers!

DIGITAL DESMADRE LAUNCH PARTY

Sunday, January 31 @ 7pm (MST)

on the Borderlands Facebook page

Tune in and meet the Digital Desmadre crew as they host a screening of four digital shorts created last fall. With cocktails and party games to keep it fun, the ensemble members of Digital Desmadre give brief introductions to each video. Mix up your own tasty cocktail and join us this Sunday!

Digital Desmadre was launched last fall as a NextGen project to nurture emerging Latinx performers and writers in Tucson through the creation of digital sketch comedy videos disseminated through social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The project strategically uses humor to initiate dialogue around our most pressing issues.

Borderlands Theater Commissions Anita

Borderlands Theater is thrilled to announce the commissioning of Anita, a musical in the universe of Annie pero muy differente, very different. "A Latinx version of Annie was the starting point and then it became its own unique thing that speaks to today's audiences," says Milta Ortiz.

Milta Ortiz and Quetzal Guerrero incubated the idea for Anita at Arizona State University, thanks to a Mellon Projecting All Voices fellowship at Arizona State University, where Milta is currently a fellow. "We had a good time hashing out the plot, themes, and message of the play, talking about the music and lyrics. We complement each other well."

Borderlands Theater has now secured funding for the development team to see the project through a week-long developmental reading this fall.

Anita centers Latinx characters and culture, highlighting the sound of the Southwest border region with cumbias, boleros, and mariachi music. Bookwriter, Milta Ortiz, is excited to work with talented musician Quetzal Guerrero, as composer and lyricist. "We're having fun writing the script and lyrics, and vibing with the music. I hope it shows in the product."

In case you're wondering, here is a short synopsis: Anita, a spunky immigrant girl finds herself separated from her parents, yet remains hopeful and does everything she can to reunite with them. So much so that she ends up in the middle of a PR blitz for the "shelter", where she resides. She meets Luz Dorado, a career minded PR executive, who will do anything to make her client, John Panchez—the owner of the "shelters"—happy. The media and social media can't get enough of Anita's vibrant smile and curly brown hair, so Luz gets the idea to temporarily foster Anita, who really just wants her parents. This creates a situation that brings out the worst and best of people.

Barrio Stories Nogales Update for 2021

Barrio Stories Nogales Continues With a Series of Bridge Events throughout 2021.

With all the changes that we have undergone in the past nine months, Borderlands has re-imagined how we can still bring you the events we had hoped for in new, innovative ways as we move into the new year. Barrio Stories Nogales, a heritage festival (previously postponed from original dates in April 2020) is now set to take place in 2022. Until then, Borderlands is teaming up with artists and venues in Nogales and the borderlands to continue building relationships and community support for the Barrio Stories Nogales project.

Stay up to date on upcoming event announcements at https://www.borderlandstheater.org/ and on Borderlands Facebook page and Instagram

Borderlands Welcomes Partnership with the Hilltop Gallery for Barrio Stories Bridge Events

Borderlands Theater we will be working with the Hilltop Gallery in the coming months in support of their contribution to the Nogales community through the arts.

Patrons of the Arts, Inc. dba Hilltop Gallery is a 501 (c) 3 and has been in operation since 1968. It has a 360-degree panoramic view of Nogales, Arizona. The gallery hosts numerous diverse and thought-provoking exhibits shared with Ambos Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. The gallery has a new and broader mission for 2021 which will include all the arts, such as music, theater, writing, and more.