Audience members congregated around four concrete columns wrapped in dense mesh material. A performer within pushed against these makeshift walls, while vibrant projections informed viewers that this was an Artificial Intelligence being – one that they, the audience, had helped create. Projections shifted indicating an energy collapse, concluding the first act of the Redes Neuronales – Workshop #20 public presentation. What audiences didn’t see was the weeks of development that went into this installation, co-created by M.F.A. candidate Daniel Ruiz Bustos. We spoke with Ruiz Bustos about attending La Fura dels Baus’ art and science workshop and collaborating with artists and researchers from around the world.
Faculty Spotlight: Rusty Cloyes
Before joining the Department of Theatre and Dance, Rusty Cloyes worked as a stage manager and associate production manager at venues across the country. Now, Cloyes continues to work with theatres locally and nationally, but much of his time is dedicated to being an Associate Professor of Practice, Director of Production and head of the stage management emphasis here at UT Austin, where he has mentored and encouraged the next generation of stage and production managers for the past several years. We spoke with Cloyes and a few of his students about his theatrical background, his favorite part of teaching and the valuable advice he’s shared with his students.
NUESTRA TIERRA, NUESTRO TEATRO: AFFIRMING LATINIDAD ON WINSHIP STAGES
Dramaturg Demian Chavez Galvan digs into the script and context for Romeo y Juliet, from the new setting to working with a group of predominantly Latino artists to realize this bilingual production. Read their article in English or scroll down for their full article in Spanish.
When KJ Sanchez and Karen Zacarías first explored the concept of a bilingual adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, they knew they needed to place the action in a setting that felt like a pressure cooker. It was vital that the audience feel that the characters act in the only way they could given their circumstances. Five people will die by the time the play is over, and we need to believe each of their deaths is tragically inevitable.
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