May 17, 2021
This past May, faculty member KJ Sanchez teamed up with Salvage Vanguard Theater and The University of Texas at Austin through her company American Records to present Un Año, an immersive documentary theatre project featuring the work of multiple UT Theatre and Dance artists.
Located at Salvage Vanguard Theater's Rogge Ranch, this outdoor theatrical experience combined spectacle, performance and ritual to examine how the events of the past year have shaped and molded each of us. Developed as part of Sanchez's interview process associated with her work "Project 19," this step back into live, in-person performance included strict COVID-19 precautions and audience limitations to ensure the safety of all participants and artists.
Sanchez's "Project 19," borne of the events of the pandemic, features interviews with essential workers conducted, in part, by Dan Caffrey (M.F.A. 2020), Rachel Heng, Kim Tran, Mason Rosenthal (M.F.A. 2020) and Jess Shoemaker (M.F.A. 2020). This collection of personal narratives is then transcribed into dialogue for a documentary-style theatrical performance. These interviews served as the foundation for the collaborative presentation of Un Año this May.
Other UT Theatre and Dance collaborators and contributions included:
Andrea L. Hart (current M.F.A. in Directing candidate) - Mask designer and builder
Lisa Laratta (alumna, M.F.A. 2008) - scenic designer
Julio Muñoz (alumnus, B.A. 2021) - stage manager
Brooklyn Garza (alumna, B.A. 2021) - assistant director and cast member
Anna Skidis Vargas (alumna, M.F.A. 2021) - cast member
Braxton Rae (current M.F.A. in Directing candidate) - cast member
Robert Ramirez (department chair) - cast member
Barbara Chisholm (faculty member) - cast member
Learn more: https://salvage-vanguard-amrec.ticketleap.com/svt-amrec/details
This project was commissioned by The University of Texas at Austin with support from the Office of the President. Funding and support in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts. Art Works, and in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department/Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com