Towards a Border Theatre

The Border Repertory Theatre will seek to perform innovative pieces.

There is a swelling belief that
El Paso can be a viable city for reputable performance theater. With the mutual assistance of the UTEP Theatre Department and City Councilman Beto O'Rourke, who has already vouched for the validity of this idea,
a group of El Pasoans are seeking to make this happen.

Local artists are currently in the process of forming the Border Repertory Theatre, a company which will focus on relative issues within our community, and that will form a unique performance and educational aesthetic that will empower not only themselves, but the community at large.  Ideally the works would come from within the community as well as from nationally recognized writers from MFA Playwriting Workshop and the KC/ACTF, such as Ryan Dowler, Dana Formby, Jaime Cruz, Samuel Hunter, and Jose Luis Cedillo.

As for
El Paso's burgeoning film scene, the BRT Troupe will provide a local stable of highly trained performers familiar with working on original scripts for all those with a script and a camera.  Thus, the Border Repertory Theatre performers will work in both the live theater and film mediums.

The protocol of the BRT is to create an acting style that is not about appeasement of the teacher/mentor, but rather to create a fluid system that allows for adaptation in response to the various works.  Each member will create their own method of working that fits into the collective aesthetic of the group dynamic. All BRT Troupe members will accomplish this by work shopping the pieces through production. The company’s reputation will not be based upon the celebrity of the writer, but rather on the quality and intensity of our work, from the script through production. This would include original scores from local musicians, allowing every aspect of the project to be homegrown.

The first step of this process is to offer workshops in acting/script analysis for all those interested in the project. This opportunity is available to any person with a desire to learn the craft of acting regardless of age or experience.  As with any legitimate workshop, the first lesson/workshop is always free in order for prospective participants to gauge their comfort with the work, the writing, and the BRT process.  The Border Repertory Theatre seeks to educate within before it outreaches to the community. 

The members of the BRT are forming and the project is open to anyone in th El Paso/Juarez/Las Cruces area.  The border
is going to get an opportunity to shine even brighter.  

For information about joining or upcoming projects please contact EP Culture Beat at epculturebeat@yahoo.com or visit: www.epculturebeat.com.