Community Arts

Participatory Arts Experiences 

From our beginnings, El Teatro Campesino has been about making art by and for the people regardless of prior experience. We still hold this true and aim to make teatro a creator of vibrant community

OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ART MAKING AT ANY STAGE IN LIFE

We believe theater is a creator of vibrant community and community is a creator of vibrant theater, thus, through our community arts programming we strive to create spaces where participants of all ages and experience levels can participate in positive life affirming arts and culture. 

COVID-19 IMPACT ON PROGRAMS

AS OF JULY 2022, ETC IS ENTERING PHASE 2 OF ITS RE-OPENING PLAN WITH A HYBRID OF VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON OUTDOOR EVENTS.  

PLEASE CHECK PAGE REGULARLY AS WE UPDATE OUR PUBLIC ACTIVITY 

 

Free Community Events

student baile folklórico dancers

TEATRO FAMILY DAY

Typically takes place in April – RETURNING APRIL 2023

Teatro Family Day is an admission free event hosted in and around the ETC Playhouse. Kid Friendly Games, entertainment, short films, museum exhibits, food, raffles, prizes, and youth performances make up this day full of family fun activities and all for a good cause! Proceeds from the day go to support our Arts Education programming.. Attending our Family Day Event is also a great opportunity to learn more about El Teatro Campesino. 

Calevera actors

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS EVENT + PROCESSION

Typically takes place around November 2nd

Since first moving to San Juan Bautista in 1971, El Teatro Campesino has helped our community honor Day of the Dead with a street procession of calavera performers. In recent years, our festivities have expanded to include a Free Community Event in our parking lot with games, raffles, performances, and more! 

Opportunities To Participate

Volunteers building a Papier-mâché puppet

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Typically offered in early Fall

We offer themed art making workshops to our local communities and beyond at least once a year. Past workshops have included Mask and Puppet Making, Story Circles, Day of the Dead art projects and teatro basics. Our workshops welcome participants of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities

Man with microphone

PALABRA ARTIST SHOWCASE

Typically presented during the Summer with call for submissions in early summer

“Palabra” is an open performance platform for new and local artists to experiment with their craft, whether it be music, drama, poetry, etc., and place it in front of an audience. The platform has a built in submission and selection process and requires a rehearsal period with ETC artists where Palabra artists are encouraged to collaborate, or even blend performances, allowing for a variety of art forms to convene on the Teatro Campesino stage. The different acts are woven together with lighting and transitions providing a seamless performance experience for the audience. In addition to the stage performances, PALABRA​ hosts pop-up “tiendita (store)” where artists will be selling handmade crafts, art, music, clothing and more.

Actors singing

LA VIRGEN DEL TEPEYAC

Performed on even number years, recruitment is in the early Fall

“La Virgen” theatrical production recreates the four miraculous apparitions to Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac in 1531. Our longest running tradition is performing the biennial holiday productions in San Juan Bautista. “La Virgen” production offers a unique opportunity to work alongside theater professionals and be part of the ensemble of our cast as our chorus of singers, the Pueblo. Each fall we announce open calls to audition to be part of our show. 

Actor on stage

LA PASTORELA

Performed on odd number years, recruitment is in the early Fall

The theatrical production of “La Pastorela” is the retelling of the trek of those first shepherds to Bethlehem to see the newborn baby Jesus, but dark forces will stop at nothing to prevent the shepherds from adoring the child. Our longest running tradition is performing the biennial holiday productions in San Juan Bautista. “La Pastorela” production offers a unique opportunity to work alongside theater professionals and be part of the ensemble of our cast Shepherds, Devils, or Angels. Each fall we announce open calls to audition to be part of our show. 

Other Opportunities

Group of volunteers at Dia de los Muertos event

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Year Round Opportunities

The support of our loyal volunteers is instrumental in our ability to continue providing enriching arts and cultural experiences to our audiences. There are a number of ways to volunteer with us year round from event ushering, facilities projects, artistic projects, administrative projects. For your convenience, fill out our volunteer interest form and our volunteer coordinator will be in contact when an opportunity arises. 

 

PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TODAY

 Your Support Will Allow Us To Keep The Arts Accessible To Our Communities

 
 

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