THE LA PALOMA PRISONER PROJECT AMPLIFIES THE STORIES OF INCARCERATED WOMEN
LINK TO BROADWAYWORLD RELEASE: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/The-La-Paloma-Prisoner-Project-Amplifies-The-Stories-Of-Incarcerated-Women-20241112
La Paloma Prisoner Project in association with La Lucha Arts and Sam Morreale, and in partnership with Chelsea Factory presents: La Paloma Prisoner
The La Paloma Prisoner Project is Raquel Almazán’s theatre initiative about the reclamation of identity by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, and sharing those stories through workshops, advocacy and community partnerships. Developed from her long standing work with incarcerated and impacted communities, the associated play, La Paloma Prisoner, directed by Estefanía Fadul, will have its Workshop Premiere at Chelsea Factory.
Performances run from Dec 10-15, 2024. Tickets will be available at Chelsea Factory site. To make an advance reservation for presentations and panels, please visit https://www.chelseafactory.org/lapalomaprisoner.
Daily pre-show ritual: Doors open at 6:30pm.
Panel discussion with decarceration advocates will be held post show evening of Friday Dec. 13th, 2024 (Panel discussion).
La Paloma Prisoner Project, developed across four countries for over a decade, is a series of initiatives aimed at raising awareness and inciting action towards the end of global mass incarceration. The project includes programs designed to uplift the voices and narratives of current and formerly incarcerated women-identified folx of color through performances/ workshops in prisons, conversation circles, and panel discussions. This play was developed alongside community partnerships with organizations dedicated to serving people impacted by the criminal justice system.
La Paloma Prisoner is a multi-disciplinary play about the reclamation of identity by women in the Colombian prison system. Based on the true stories of a group of incarcerated women selected as beauty queen contestants at the Buen Pastor prison in Bogotá, this new play interweaves the ritualistic journey of a “parade of prisoners” within Colombia’s social, political, and spiritual history. The play centers on an infamous woman nicknamed “La Paloma” who soars transcendentally beyond physical and societal barriers to avenge the raped women of Bogotá. Her actions revolutionize the women’s lives, Bogotá’s prison society, and the world beyond its walls.
La Paloma Prisoner (Colombia) is part of R. Almazan’s Latin is America play cycle, a series of full-length bi-lingual plays written in dedication to Latin American countries.
“This project is a participant in New Georges’ Supported Productions program, in which New Georges provides mentorship, rehearsal space, and an institutional platform to its affiliated artists who are producing their work independently.” Additional theatrical collaborators include Chelsea Factory and New York Theatre Workshop.
“We are thrilled to have gathered a powerhouse team of actors, designers, and production crew to bring La Paloma Prisoner to life, many of whom have been part of the play’s development process over many years,” states Fadul. “The collective artistry of this group reflects on the incredible range of Latiné talent that exists in all areas of the theatre. We are so excited to tell this story with these voices behind it.”
“This is a needed story, now more than ever,” Morreale shares. “The state of imperial power in the world continues to grow, and the United States is a key player in this. At times of strife, stories become vital spaces for connection and for remembering. I am deeply honored to be holding this iteration of La Paloma Prisoner as it presents real circumstances of the everyday person with respect, reverence, and abundant joy through tremendous grief! This is a story told with rather than for, and proof of this lives in the way both Raquel and Estefania have gathered community around this piece. The magic of Paloma is the magic of liberation – I hope this story helps us all take a step closer to freedom together by reminding us that we are responsible for keeping each other safe.”
LA PALOMA PRISONER stars Raquel Almazán (Chelsea Factory Resident artist, Law and Order: SVU) as Paloma, Ana Sophia Colón (Nylon- Repertorio Espanol) as Oro, Yadira Correa* (Truckers- INTAR, Old Globe) as Soliar, Adriana Gaviria* (Person of Interest, Sol Project) as Mama/Warden, Gladys Perez* (Ray Donovan) as Diana, Sol Miranda* (Unbreakable Kimmie Schmidt, Come Find Me) as Loba, Bobby Plasencia* (American Jornalero- INTAR, La Ruta- Working Theatre) as Older Man and Monica Steuer* (Fur– Next Door @NYTW) as Marilynn, and Carlos Andrickson* (Bone Collector, City on a Hill) as Younger Man.
*Actors appear courtesy of Actors Equity Association
The production features live percussion composed and performed by Lisette Santiago, scenic and props design by Raul Abrego, lighting design by Carolina Ortiz Herrera, costume design by Haydee Zelideth, sound design by Daniela Hart & Uptown Works and fight and intimacy by Lauren Kiele DeLeon. The production manager is Aislinn Curry.
Sam Morreale is the Producer, with Samara Gaev as the Community Engagement Director. Key art is by Nathier Fernández. Social Media by Eva Pedriglieri. Publicity by Blake Zidell and Associates.
Dec. 13th Panelists Include:
Samara Gaev: (Truthworker Theatre Founder), Community Engagement Director La Paloma Prisoner
Donna Hylton (A Little Piece of Light: A Memoir of Hope, Prison, and a Life Unbound)
Brigitte Harris: (Impacted Women Ambassador for the La Paloma Prisoner Project)
Jhody Polk: (2024 Global Freedom Fellow, Founder of the Jailhouse Lawyer Initiative at NYU Law School)
