TAMIU Annual Report 2018

2018 Annual Report / IMPACT E N G A G E M E N T / I M PA C T Moving, awe-inspiring, unforgettable – these are just a few of the words used by social media users when describing performances of Federico García Lorca’s drama “Yerma” which made its two- weekend debut in January at TAMIU. The production, made possible through an ongoing partnership between the Laredo Theater Guild International (LTGI) and TAMIU, served as the opening production of LTGI’s ninth season. Lauded as the first LTGI production delivered entirely in Spanish, “Yerma” featured a cast of 25 actors. The production was heralded for its impressive use of stage scenery and emotionally-charged character portrayals. “Yerma” serves as a timeless story of marriage, motherhood and societal pressures faced by women living in rural Spain during the early 20 th Century. Through its renewed Memorandum of Understanding, LTGI and TAMIU have established a framework for their collaborative efforts. This includes the use of University facilities for rehearsal and performances, as well as student engagement in LTGI productions. Past collaborative efforts between the University and TAMIU have resulted in several outstanding community productions and educational offerings for the popular Class on Stage Series. In addition to “Yerma,” the University and LTGI have staged two other major theatrical productions this year, with performances of Tennessee William’s “The Glass Menagerie,” and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s iconic “In the Heights.” TAMIU, LTGI Stage Historic Spanish Language Production Casandra Canales (’11) as Yerma • Photo by: Ferch 18