LA MISION: Pregones Theater is a Bronx-based ensemble whose mission is (1) to create and perform original musical theater and plays rooted in Puerto Rican/Latino cultures, and (2) to present other performing artists who share our twin commitment to the arts and civic enrichment.
LA LABOR: We are widely recognized as a leading Latino arts producing and presenting organization. In the early 1980s, we were among only a handful of professional artists creating arts programs for low and moderate income Bronx residents. We were in the vanguard of a renovation that is still underway. With the opening of our new 130-seat theater in November 2005, we are still at the forefront of Latino cultural activity. The new Pregones Theater on Walton Avenue brings added excitement and cultural dollars to the burgeoning South Bronx Cultural Corridor.
We are home to an active network of Latino actors, musicians, writers, directors, dancers and designers. Working as an ensemble, this group of artists has since 1979 produced more than 50 new plays and presented twice as many visiting companies. We are known for mining connections between theater and popular culture, for creating plays with dynamic visual and rhythmic character, and for developing lasting forms of audience participation among the least solvent communities in The Bronx.
Our award-winning repertory makes use of literature, music, dance, and other creative expressions by migrants of Spanish, Indigenous, and Afro Caribbean background. Our productions are developed and performed in both Spanish and English. The use of dual-language titles and bilingual printed matter ensures the widest possible reach.
LOS PROGRAMAS:
MAINSTAGE – acclaimed musical theater works created, developed, and performed by Pregones’ own professional theater ensemble
PRESENTING – a multi-disciplinary and multi-ethnic presenting program featuring performances, workshops, and public dialogues.
EDUCATION – performances, workshops, public dialogues, mentorships, internships, technical training, and volunteer opportunities.
TOURING – performing works from the ensemble’s repertory and artist-led residency activities locally, nationally, and internationally.
CONTRIBUCIONES:
Growing repertory of distinctly Latino musical/dramatic theater works;
Nurturing and development of a professional ensemble of Latino artists;
Original methodology for adaptation of literary and extra-literary materials;
Record of lasting intercultural and international collaborations;
Dynamic implementation of community-based outreach in Spanish/English;
Latino model for efficient professional theater management;
Ongoing contribution to Bronx cultural and economic development.
RECONOCIMIENTOS:
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation/Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Leading National Ensemble Theatre, New York State Council on the Arts Primary Cultural Institution Designation, New York State Governor's Arts Award, NYC Mayor and Bronx Borough President Recognitions, Bronx Council on the Arts Award, Otto Award for Political Theater, Hispanic Federation Community Service Award, multiple HOLA Latino Actors Awards, multiple ACE Hispanic Critics Awards, and Ford Foundation New Works Visionaries Award, among many others.
Navigate Ensemble
Pregones in 1981 with La Colección.
Standing: Heriberto Mateo, Julio Santana,
Rosalba Rolón, Alvan Colón-Lespier.
Sitting: Roberto Lugo, Sandra Rodríguez,
Luis Meléndez.
Photo by Pablo Delano
