UPCOMING NEXT!
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 Almaƶán’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.
What: Raquel Almazán’s LA PALOMA PRISONER, directed by Estefanía Fadul
When: Dec 10th – 15th, 2024
Where: Chelsea Factory
547 W 26th St
New York, NY 10001
How: Tickets @ https://www.chelseafactory.org/lapalomaprisoner
A multi-disciplinary play about the reclamation of identity by women in the Colombian prison system.
Social Media Pages:
LPP Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/lapalomaprisonerproject
LPP Instagram Page:https://www.instagram.com/lapalomaprisoner/
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).
About the project:
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.
About the play:
La Paloma Prisoner is a multi-disciplinary play about the reclamation of identity by women in the Colombian prison system. Based on the true story 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 transcendentally soars 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 Full Credit Listing (Creative and Production Team)
Playwright/Co-Producer: Raquel Almazán
Director: Estefanía Fadul
Producer: Sam Morreale
Music Composition: Lisette Santiago
Scenic Design: Raul Abrego
Costume Design: Haydee Zelideth
Lighting Design: Carolina Ortiz
Sound Design: Daniela Hart & UptownWorks
Butoh Movement Choreography: Vangeline Theatre
Song composer for “Vuela Paloma Vuela”: Julián Mesri
Fight & Intimacy Director: Lauren Kiele DeLeon
Production Stage Manager: Iván Dario Cano*
Community Engagement Director: Samara Gaev
Production Manager: Aislinn Ruth Curry
Social Media: Eva Pedriglieri
Key Art: Nathier Fernandez
Publicity: Blake Zidell and Associates
Cast: Raquel Almazan, Ana Sophia Colón, Yadira Correa*, Adriana Gaviria*, Gladys Pérez*, Sol Miranda*, Bobby Plasencia* and Monica Steuer*
MORE ABOUT LA PALOMA PRISONER HERE
2024 EVENTS
APRIL 29TH @ 7PM- INDUSTRY READING
GODDESSES Return to the Temple by Raquel Almazan
Directed by Mei Ann Teo
Featuring cast members:
Jen Anaya
Monica Steuer
RESERVE YOUR FREE TICKET: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjA3MDQ2#
Inspired by the life of Nina Hartley and her autobiography, this thought-provoking piece delves into themes of femininity, power, and ancient wisdom. Set against the backdrop of the 30,000 BCE Venus of Willendorf statue, the narrative follows an asexual, single, Latinx/e middle-aged pregnant womxn as she embarks on a journey to rediscover the ancient ways of womxn’s powers. Please be advised that this play contains frequent adult language and openly explores sexual content.
MAY 9TH AND 10TH – CONCERT READING
DQT Presents… is one of the Dramatic Question Theatre’s ongoing new play development programs, wherein featured playwrights receive a live concert reading of one of their plays-in-progress. This season’s featured playwright is Raquel Almazan and her play is LA ESPERANZA (THE HOPEFULNESS).
Directed by Gineiris Garcia
Original music is composed and performed: Dilson Hernandez
Language & Cultural Consultant: Yaissa Jiménez
Date: Thursday May 9th, 2024 @ Times: 3:00 pm & 7:00pm
Date: Friday May 10th @ Time: 7:00pm
Location: THE FLEA THEATRE (20 Thomas Street, New York, NY 10007)
PURCHASE TIX: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-esperanza-the-hopefulness-tickets-882943988237
Anna and Jaqueline, sister sex workers in the Dominican Republic, are stowaways in the hold of a cargo ship headed for France. While trapped in a box scenes from their past desperately emerge, but when these scenes take a dark turn, the lines between the real and the imaginary blur, family secrets are revealed, and Anna and Jaqueline are hurtled toward a future that threatens to be as bleak as their past.
La Esperanaza is part of the LATIN IS AMERICAN play cycle
Cast: *Maria Isabella Rojas, Merlixse Ventura, and Susanne Pinedo.
*Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.
2023 EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 6TH @ 7PM- COMMISSION READING
Live & in Color’s liveandincolor.org. cohort of 2023! We’re back at the Bingham Camp in Connecticut this September and will be developing “GODDESSES RETURN TO THE TEMPLE – FINAL INSTALLMENT OF A SEXTRILOGY” by Raquel Almazan directed by MeiAnnTeo.
Read more about the artists coming to the camp this fall on Broadwayworld article
2022 EVENTS
AUGUST 4TH @ 2PM
La Paloma Prisoner By Raquel Almazan
Directed by Estefania Fadul
Live scoring by Lisette Santiago
Movement by Ensemble
Join us for an (Open Rehearsal)
Featuring work-in-progress excerpts from the play as we conclude our workshop @ Chelsea Factory
RSVP via this LINK: https://ci.green.prod.ovationtix.com/36523/performance/11129224
JULY 25TH @ 7:30PM
ONLINE PANEL DISCUSSION ADDRESSING MOTHERHOOD’S INTERSECTION WITH THEATREMAKING.
Almazan opens up about her new role as a mother and how she is integrating motherhood with her theatremaking. BOOK TICKETS HERE: https://irondale.org/on-women-festival/
Re-entering the theatre space with a Chelsea Factory residency: upcoming sharing Sunday February 6th @ 2pm. Join us! Free rsvp: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36523/performance/10983665?performanceId=10983665
Works in progress theatre sharing:
EL ODIO DE UN PAIS/ The Hate of a Country
(part of the Latin is American play cycle) by Raquel Almazan
Resident Chelsea Factory artist presentation
Date and Time: Sunday February 6th @ 2pm
House opens at 1:45pm.
Venue: Chelsea Factory 547 West 26th street New York, NY 10002
Ticketing: Free admission. Limited seating.
Social distanced seating. Proof of vaccination and mask required for entrance.
EL ODIO DE UN PAIS/ The Hate of a Country by Raquel Almazan
Directed by Gineiris Garcia
Original Sound and Music by Sinuhe Padilla Isunza
EL ODIO DE UN PAIS/ The Hate of a Country, explores the conditions of women through the dramatization of violence contrasted with the actions of healing and solidarity within female communities. Rape culture becomes personal Costa Rican mythology: A missing arm in the sugar cane fields, a mother and daughter climb the mango tree of dangerous memories in the jungle, imprisoned men swear their innocence to the Crimen de Colima. An autobiographical and biographical series of scenes that explore the mainstream history of Costa Rica from the perspective of family lineage. This play challenges the male and colonial gaze by revealing the destructive impact of oppression on the individual, positioned as a metonym for Costa Rica itself.
Stage Management: Martha Lorena Preve Ayora
Movement: Raquel Almazan and Vangeline Theater / New York Butoh Institute
Environment Design: Charlie Chauca
Featuring cast members:
Raquel Almazan
Carlos Andrickson
Yadira De La Riva
Santiago Andres Piña
Maribel Martinez
Mel Nieves
Daniela Thome
Efrén Olson-Sánchez
Lenny Urbaez
For information on attending Almazan’s performances and residency activities- CONTACT HERE.
