PAST Events

2020

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: COMMUNITY SHAREBACK

November 2, 2020

A virtual evening of sharing from our community of Dia de los Muertos Workshop participants. Hosted by Cristal Gonzalez  with specials guests from El Teatro Campesino. 

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS:

VIRTUAL ART MAKING WORKSHOPS

September 28 – November 2, 2020

Virtual offerings this year to honor our loved ones. Workshops include Story Circles, How to make a  Shoebox Altar Instruction Videos and Altar Making with Guest Artist Claudia Lopez. 

PALABRA ARTIST SHOWCASE

March 5-8, 2020 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Our fifth talent showcase featured new and returning artists to the El Teatro Campesino stage for a weekend of live theater, music, poetry and more. The special “live” addition will experiment with performing in the round and use simultaneous broadcasts as part of the artistic experience. Join us for laughs, teardrops and raised fists, and who knows what else, Palabra is a space where anything can happen!  

LA PASTORELA 

December 6-19, 2019 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

For the first time, “La Pastorela” was presented inside the ETC Playhouse! “La Pastorela” is a musical retelling of the trek of the shepherds to Bethlehem to visit the Holy Child after a sign from the Angel of the Lord, but not before they find themselves beset along the way by the demonic followers of Luzbel. Told through robust humor, live music and dance, this holiday tradition can be enjoyed by all. 

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS  

November 1-3, 2019 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Arts and culture are alive with this weekend filled with performances inside the ETC Playhouse by folkloric dance group Esperanza del Valle, altar exhibits commemorating the dearly departed, as well as a Free Community Activities at our Playhouse. 

Our procession returns! Join us for a free community event in the ETC Parking lot and a procession beginning at 7pm. 

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS:

ART MAKING WORKSHOPS

September – October 2019 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Announcing a series of FREE COMMUNITY ART MAKING WORKSHOPS at the ETC Playhouse! Join us as we prepare for Dia de los Muertos by lending us a hand (or two). We will guide you through creating large masks & puppets to be used for our November 2nd festivities. All ages and experience levels are welcome! Plus a Special offering on October 24th with Guest Artist Claudia Lopez on how to make a traditional Altar

MEN OF RAB’INAL: A MAYAN WAR DANCE IN TIME 

May | La Peña Cultural Center (Berkeley, Ca)

June 20-23, 2019 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Inspired by the ancient Mayan dance-drama, “Rab’inal Achi”, Men of Rab’inal is a new play that chronicles the mytho-history of two Mayan prince-warriors and their journey towards the embattled kingdom of Rab’inal. Along the way, Princes K’iche Achi and Rab’inal Achi unwittingly travel through centuries, from the Conquest through the 21st Century, encountering historical foes and allies who accompany them on their epic adventure. Ancient mythology comes to life in an exciting new drama that examines the history and performance traditions of pre-Colombian indigenous America through the lens of contemporary drama.

Presented in association La Peña Cultural Center 

Written by Andrew Saito & Lakin Valdez 

Original Music and Sound Design by David R. Molina 

PALABRA ARTIST SHOWCASE

July 25-28, 2019 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Palabra/Word is a talent showcase featuring new local and returning artists to the El Teatro Campesino stage for a weekend of live theater, music, poetry and more. Join us for laughs, teardrops and raised fists, where anything can happen.

ADIOS MAMA CARLOTA  

April 3-28, 2019 | San Jose Stage Company (San Jose, Ca)

In partnership with San Jose Stage Company, this World Premiere production is the newest work by Luis Valdez. Narrated by Empress Carlota in her private chamber in Bouchout Castle, Belgium, 1927, 60 years have passed since the death of her beloved Maximillian before a firing squad in Mexico. Revisiting the rise and fall of Emperor Maximilian in Mexico invoking her role as Empress, she’s haunted by her memories, holding royal court entertaining several distinguished ghosts, including; Maximilian, Napoleon III, Benito Juarez and Abraham Lincoln. Carlota questions her survival: WHY has she lived so long without a husband, children, or relatives that no trace of her world remains? Carlota’s real dilemma pivots on her guilt and self-doubt on her abandonment of Maximilian and their unfinished love story.

For more information visit: https://www.thestage.org/season/adios-mama-carlota

TEATRO FAMILY FUNDRAISER 

Sunday, April 28, 2019 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Our admission free event is open to everyone and we encourage you to bring the whole family! Activities from 12-4pm include musical acts, food vendors in the ETC parking lot, raffles, indoor and outdoor games, films, live performances, and special guests! Proceeds from food sales, raffle tickets and suggested donations will go towards supporting our arts education programming in San Benito County Middle Schools. 

LA VIRGEN DEL TEPEYAC

November 23 – December 16, 2018 | Mission San Juan Bautista (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

This special Christmas offering, adapted by Luis Valdez, dramatizes the four apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Indigenous messenger Juan Diego in 1531. It is a joyous re-enactment of the miraculous events that inspired the religious rebirth of Indigenous Mexico, featuring live music and Aztec dance. Presented in Spanish.

-The show runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.

VALLEY OF THE HEART

October 30 – December 9, 2018 | Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles, Ca)

The Yamaguchis and the Montaños are two immigrant families struggling to provide a future for their American-born children after the Great Depression on the farmland they share. But as their oldest children fall in love—secretly—the attack on Pearl Harbor throws these Mexican and Japanese American families into uncertainty and turmoil. When the Yamaguchis are interned along with thousands of other Japanese Americans, allegiances are tested, heroes are made, and the two young lovers must find a way to stay loyal to each other—and their country.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS  

November 2-4, 2018 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Arts and culture are alive with this weekend filled with performances inside the ETC Playhouse by folkloric dance group Esperanza del Valle, plus, new this year, a number of Free Community Activities in and around our Playhouse. Check back soon for a full schedule for Saturday, November 3rd Activities hosted from 3pm-7pm in the ETC Parking Lot

LA CARPA DE LOS RASQUACHIS 

April 20-21, 2018 | Shannon Center (Whittier, Ca)

May 1-6, 2018 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

May 25 -27, 2018 | CET Anthony R. Soto Theatre (San Jose, Ca) 

A revival production of ETC’s pioneering corrido play about campesinos. 

Bursting with energy, “La Carpa” follows Jesus Pelado Rasquachi after he leaves his family in Mexico and heads for the United States in hopes of getting rich as a bracero. Misfortune and fate, however, stalk his every footstep in the guise of El Diablo and La Muerte. Tricked and betrayed at every turn, Jesus’ struggles, frustrations and ultimate victory unfold under La Carpa. Discounted Preview Nights on 5/1 & 5/2.

PALABRA ARTIST SHOWCASE

February 23-25, 2018  | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Palabra/Word is our talent showcase featuring new and returning local artists to the El Teatro Campesino stage for a weekend of live theater, music, poetry and more. Join us for laughs, teardrops and raised fists, where anything can happen.

LA PASTORELA 

November 24 – December 17, 2017 | Mission San Juan Bautista (San Juan Bautista, Ca) 

This bi-annual tradition returns to Mission San Juan Bautista as ETC’s longest running tradition. “La Pastorela” is a musical retelling of the trek of the shepherds to Bethlehem to visit the Holy Child after a sign from the Angel of the Lord, but not before they find themselves beset along the way by the demonic followers of Luzbel. This pageant vibrates with stirring action, vivid color, and robust humor-all set to glorious live music and dance-throughout the mission basilica.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

November 3-5, 2017 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Our annual program kicks off on the playhouse stage with special live music and dance performances by the Folkloric dance group Esperanza del Valle Nov 3-5. Don’t miss our Community Altar Exhibit featuring beautiful altars commemorating the life of loved ones passed on in our main lobby areas.

Plus join our free Outdoor Procession on Nov. 4 & 5  as we perform a new short play “Nepantla: A Journey Back Home” along the way! Procession begins at our playhouse parking lot and making its way through our historic town.

The weekend Celebration promises to be full of music, laughs and spiritual offerings.  

VIVA LA CAUSA: A TEATRO RETROSPECTIVE 

September 1-24, 2017 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Back and more timely than ever, ETC’s latest collective creation transforms the ETC Playhouse into an underground auction house where EVERYTHING must go. Audiences travel from room to room as historical teatro memorabilia summon memories and excerpts of classic teatro works to highlight the cultural, political and social struggles from the past, present and future

PIERNAS: THE STORY BETWEEN OUR LEGS

May 19 – June 4, 2017 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca) 

El Teatro Campesino proudly presents resident artist Cristal Gonzalez’ first full length play, Piernas: the story between our legs. Piernas is the story of Cecilia, a Chicana journalist on a trek back home to confront a family secret from the past. Challenges unfold as Mama’s illness takes hold on her journey to expose the truth. Shows: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8pm & Sunday 2pm

THE SWEETHEART DEAL

May 4 – June 4, 2017 | The Los Angeles Theatre Center (Los Angeles, Ca)

Written & Directed by ETC Veterana Diane Rodriguez, and presented in association with LATC, it’s 1970 and the world for Latinos is rapidly changing. With Cesar Chavez leading the largest Chicano social movement of the century, farmworkers and their families are struggling to survive. We find the young couple Mari and Will leaving everything behind to volunteer for the United Farm Workers union working for the underground newspaper, El Malcriado. In the midst of this tumultuous moment in American history, our couple finds themselves torn between family loyalties and the demands of upholding a struggling union, asking themselves what sacrifices must they make to be the change they want to see?

TEATRO FAMILY DAY FUNDRAISER

March 25, 2017 2pm-6pm | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Join us at the El Teatro Campesino Playhouse for family fun all day! Proceeds from the day’s activities will go to support teatro educational programming in San Benito County. Activities include: face painting, film screenings of historical ETC footage, raffle prizes, costume displays, Actos performances, live music and tacos! Enter yourself into the raffle for a chance to win “Zoot Suit” memorabilia straight out of the current production in Los Angeles.

ZOOT SUIT

February 12 – March 25, 2017 | Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles, Ca)

Zoot Suit, one of the most exciting and spectacular shows ever created in Los Angeles, is set to ignite the city again. Luis Valdez is bringing his groundbreaking 1978 smash back to the Mark Taper Forum to celebrate Center Theatre Group’s 50th Anniversary.

Zoot Suit played to packed houses in L.A. for nearly a year before becoming Broadway’s first Chicano play and a major motion picture. Now, the Taper stage will once again be filled with a company of 25 mesmerizing actors, singers, and dancers weaving fact and fiction together as they portray the events surrounding the infamous 1942 Sleepy Lagoon murder. Pulsing with heart, sly wit, and an infectious musical score, featuring Lalo Guerrero’s famous songs, Zoot Suit remains a thrilling theatrical experience that animates the cultural, political, and human forces that continue to shape the City of Angels.

PALABRA ARTIST SHOWCASE

January 27 & 28 & February 24 – 26, 2017 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

An artist showcase with musicians, poets, spoken word artists, & visual artists to performing under the direction of El Teatro artists. 

LA VIRGEN DEL TEPEYAC

November 25 – December 18, 2016 | Mission San Juan Bautista (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Celebrating nearly four decades of tradition at the beautiful Old Mission San Juan Bautista, El Teatro Campesino (ETC) returns with its biennial spectacle of vibrant music, sacral theater, and Aztec dance. This special Christmas offering, adapted by Luis Valdez, dramatizes the four apparitions of Our lady of Guadalupe to the Indian messenger Juan Diego in 1531 in a joyous re-enactment of the miraculous events that inspired the religious rebirth of indigenous Mexico.

CORRIDOS: THE REMIX

November 8-12, 2016 | The Hammer Theatre Center (San Jose, Ca)

San Jose State University’s Department of Television, Radio, Film and Theatre present CORRIDOS THE REMIX: THE NEW AMERIAN MUSICAL by Luis and Kinan Valdez. 

“Corridos” may be a Spanish term (for a ballad or popular narrative song), but the songs and stories in this unique fusion of music, theater, opera, mime and comedy come not just from the Latino tradition, but from African-American, Asian, Portuguese and French cultures as well. 

In this revue, grandfather, Maestro, and reluctant granddaughter, Jenny, explore their newfound relationship by telling stories of many cultures.  This exchange is accompanied with live music and dance. 

Luis Valdez had his first play produced in 1965, while a student at San José State University.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

November 4-6, 2016 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

The annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration is a weekend-long cultural festival that commemorates and honors the lives of the departed loved ones through dance, music, offerings and art. There will be a variety of fun, family-oriented Day of the Dead activities including viewing of the Altares at El Teatro Campesino Playhouse one hour prior to performance times and two special Processions held on Saturday, November 5th at 6pm and Sunday, November 6th at 2 pm.

¡VIVA LA CAUSA!

June 23 – July 17, 2016 | ETC Playhouse (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

Conceived as a cornerstone of El Teatro Campesino’s fiftieth anniversary season, “Viva La Causa” (Long Live the Cause) invites audiences into an immersive educational experience throughout the museum halls of the ETC Playhouse in San Juan Bautista.  This year marks 35 years since ETC first converted an old packing shed into the treasured cultural institution we know today. In honor of this history, audiences will explore the various rooms and retrospective exhibits as they come to life with live and site-specific performances. Participants will be immersed in the various time periods of ETC’s fifty year history as a new local crop of enthusiastic teaching artists re-imagine the past/future, help educate, and entertain audiences of multiple generations in the classic teatro style.

POPOL VUH: HEART OF HEAVEN

May 21, 2016 | Cesar Chavez Elementary School  (San Francisco, Ca)

El Teatro Campesino brings back its unique live outdoor theater experience, “Popol Vuh: Heart of Heaven,” adapted from the sacred creation book of the Quiche Maya. This tale of the creation of the world comes to life with large-scale puppetry, captivating masks, colorful pageantry, and expressive dance as the Creator Gods make their attempts to create beings who will worship and revere them.

This year ETC brings this mythical production to the city of San Francisco. Presented in partnership with Brava 

VALLEY OF THE HEART

February 10 – March 5, 2016 | San Jose Stage Company (San Jose, Ca)

The fight to maintain dignity, identity, family and love are at the heart of this American love story deeply rooted in the fertile Santa Clara Valley. Famed playwright, director and producer Luis Valdez’s sweeping epic illustrates the ironic divide between America’s ideals and its actions in what the San Jose Mercury News says is a “multicultural touchstone,” and of which the Los Angeles Times says “We need memory plays as powerful as this one … a quintessentially California play, written by a master of the genre.”

LA PASTORELA

November 27 – December 20, 2015 | Mission San Juan Bautista (San Juan Bautista, Ca)

One of the masterpieces of the centuries-old tradition, El Teatro Campesino presents its biennial spectacle “La Pastorela” in the Old Mission San Juan Bautista. After a sign from the Angel of the Lord, the scruffy shepherds embark on their spiritual journey to visit the Holy Child, only to find themselves beset along the way by the demonic followers of Luzbel. “La Pastorela” vibrates with stirring action, vivid color, and robust humor-all set to glorious live music and dance-throughout the mission basilica. Performed in Spanish for over thirty years, “La Pastorela” reaches all audiences with El Teatro Campesino’s broad visual acting style and English librettos.