Students and Alumni Present Mariachi Musical Across Texas

Current student Demian Chavez Galvan and their theatre company Teatro Sin Fronteras presented Soldadera, a mariachi musical for young audiences here in Austin and El Paso during the summer months. The musical, written by Chavez Galvan and originally performed during The Cohen New Works Festival (2023), featured work by multiple UT Theatre and Dance artists. 

Soldadera, a mariachi musical for young audiences tells the story of a young girl named Elena who takes part in the Mexican Revolution after a comet inspires her to "fight for a new tomorrow." The musical was performed in Austin at Ground Floor Theatre in June, under the direction of alum Valeria Najera Zavala (B.F.A. 2024). The production team also included audio engineer Elias Merlo (B.A. 2023), technical director and co-producer Samantha Brown (Theatre Education student) and performers Angela Mata (B.A. student) and Andrea Nuñez (B.A. 2022).

In July 2024, Chavez Galvan, Brown and collaborator Milo Darlington took the musical to El Paso, where they presented a concert version at the El Paso Museum of History in association with the Mexican American Cultural Center and the Museum & Cultural Affairs Department of El Paso. While in the city, they also presented workshops on mariachi music and theatrical design as part of their theatre company Teatro Sin Fronteras. "We closed our time in El Paso by performing SOLDADERA as a benefit concert for Trans-Fronterizxs, a program that provides resources and support for the trans community in the U.S.-Mexico Borderland," shared Chavez Galvan. "We were able to raise more than $1,000 for Trans-Fronterizxs in one afternoon, which we're incredibly proud about!"