Our Vision:
The Short Version We encourage youth to strive for excellence in all facets of their lives with a spirit of generosity, non-violence and compassion. We are "the other TV" creating our own reality. Teatro V!da was founded to build youth leadership through the arts with a special focus on the creation of youth generated multi-media performance works in collaboration with professional adult artists. Our intergenerational ensemble work provides venue for youth to identify and address issues that concern them in creative, positive and life-giving ways. Our teaching is incremental and intensive, providing the structure and tools necessary to build confidence, support critical thinking, embrace a love of learning, inspire innovation, practice presence, and engage in respectful, reciprocal and healthy social interactions. Our members acquire skills for literacy, positive leadership, organizing youth produced arts events, public speaking, team work and strategies for building a successful life that benefits the individual, our community and society at large. We encourage youth to strive for excellence in all facets of their lives with a spirit of generosity, non-violence and compassion. We are "the other TV" creating our own reality. Springfield College and Teatro V!da Ign!te a New VisionOctober, 2016: A new partnership with Springfield College begins to take shape. Conversations began in the summer, and now the planning and activating of visions have begun. A van full of Springfield College students joined community youth at the October Ign!te the M!c. We are now in the envisioning stage as we reach into the untapped possibilities of Ign!te! Felicia Lundquist, Director of Multicultural Affairs for Springfield College tells us "I'm so excited about the possibilities of connecting our students with the Springfield Community in meaningful ways. I know our partnership with Teatro V!da and the Bing Arts Center will be meaningful and successful!"
(Felicia pictured to the right in photo above) To learn more about our by youth for youth monthly open mic:
http://ignitethemic.weebly.com Below is Natalie Riquelmy performing her poetry at Mount Holyoke College (where she is a senior): 2016 Update: Natalie has graduated Mount Holyoke College and is currently pursuing a Masters degree at PRATT in NYC.Teatro V!da and Springfield College Collaborate - Stay tuned! Above to the right, Felicia Lundquist, Director of Multicultural Affairs, joined by students interested in Teatro V!da.Our alumnaes lead successful and fulfilling lives. Many of our members attend or have already graduated from institutions of higher learning and/or are also attending graduate school which include:
Harvard University University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth American International College Saint Peter's College Westfield University Ashnuntuck Community College Springfield College Holyoke Community College Springfield Technical Community College Baypath College Goddard College University of Massachusetts, Amherst John Hopkins University Western Neww England University just to name a few... |
Magdalena Gómez
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On the right are members of Teatro V!da's Ferocious Women Ensemble. L to R: Samalid Hogan and Sophia; Norma Nunnally; Rosemary Tracy Woods; Kim Parlengas; Jean Canosa Albano; Francheska Morales; Magdalena Gómez; (front) Marcia Vilpic (in turquoise head wrap) and Eilish Thompson. Missing from what we thought was a photo, are María Luisa Arroyo and Janis Astor del Valle.
The Ferocious Women Ensemble is a multi-generational group of women who meet on a regular basis to organize events, volunteer, nurture and support each other, mentor younger women and girls, and engage in theater making. Their first performance, Random Secrets from the Dressing Room, an original text by the group and other community women, as well as Pushcart Prize Nominee, Kathryn Neel, currently based in Florida, was performed at the Bing Arts Center in Springfield, and at Amherst Media, as fundraisers for those organizations. The ensemble is currently working on a new production - stay tuned. |
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We are grateful for the contributions of all the members, volunteers, guest artists, artistic associates, businesses, organizations, supporters, mentors, sponsors, funders, donors, audiences, educational institutions, media outlets of every form, both past and present, who will always remain and be acknowledged as part of us. The Teatro V!da archives will be included within the archives of our Co-founder and Artistic Director, Magdalena Gómez, held in perpetuity at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut, Storrs.
Original Co-founders:
Magdalena Gómez and The Latino Breakfast Club.
Original community partners:
Amherst Media; The Springfield Museums; and the Greater Springfield YMCA.
Current community partners:
Samuel D. Plotkin Associates; Amherst Media; Bing Arts Center; Gandara Health Center; Art for the Soul Galleries (Founder and Curator, Rosemary Tracy Woods); Office of Multicultural Affairs for Springfield College and Director, Felicia Lundquist; Mount Holyoke College's Community Based Learning Program; City Councilor, Tim Rooke.
Original Co-founders:
Magdalena Gómez and The Latino Breakfast Club.
Original community partners:
Amherst Media; The Springfield Museums; and the Greater Springfield YMCA.
Current community partners:
Samuel D. Plotkin Associates; Amherst Media; Bing Arts Center; Gandara Health Center; Art for the Soul Galleries (Founder and Curator, Rosemary Tracy Woods); Office of Multicultural Affairs for Springfield College and Director, Felicia Lundquist; Mount Holyoke College's Community Based Learning Program; City Councilor, Tim Rooke.