In June, Houses on the Moon Theater Company presented a full Spanish language translation of its acclaimed production of DE NOVO for two weeks in El Salvador after premiering at the Passage Theatre in New Jersey as a benefit for the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund. DE NOVO is a documentary play about a Guatemalan teenager's flight from gang violence in his home country, and his legal battle to be remain in the United Stages. Company member (and former DE NOVO cast member) Carlo D'Amore co-directed cast member Paola Poucel's brilliant translation of Jeffrey Solomon's play.
The project was made possible by an exciting partnership with award winning photojournalist Donna DeCesare, whose images documenting gangs and migration in Central America and Los Angeles are projected in the play.
Read More About the Exciting Partnership with Photojournalist Donna DeCesare Here
We presented six performances at Palacio Tecleño, a gorgeous old building that houses a cultural ministry and art school. The audience was made up largely of high school and university students and featured fascinating talkbacks with local human rights activists and our very own Aryah Somers, a children’s attorney in New York who joins us after most DE NOVO performances.
All of us were very curious how Salvadorans would receive this production from the United States. One of the concerns expressed to us by people on the ground in Central America was that telling this story about poverty, gangs, and migration was not a story Salvadorans needed to hear, because so many are living it. But instead audience members said, "thank-you. We never discuss these issues here," and let us know they found the work very compelling, moving and the discussion vital. We were honored to play a part.
READ A REVIEW FROM EL SALVADOR, IN SPANISH!
We also conducted workshops for young people, guiding them in the creation of short theatrical work inspired by autobiographical and documentary sources. We were dazzled by their creativity and touched by their honesty.
Special thanks to Donna Decesare and the Open Society Institute for facilitating both our International Debut and first non-English language production. Abrazos to Joey, Aquiles, Carlos and the staff of Museo Tecleño, Xochilth, Victor, and Luis for their tireless efforts. Gratitude to Steven Hitt at La Guardia Performing Arts Center for the free rehearsal space and to friends, family and other angels who answered our last minute call for support.
