Borderlands Theater

The Borderlands Theater is uniquely Tucson. In its 21st year, the non-profit organization is fast becoming a theater company known for its education and production of theater involving the diversity of southwest influences. After an eight page spread in American Theater Magazine, which, for those non-theater enthusiasts is like the Rolling Stone for music snobs or The Economist for business men, The Borderlands Theater is on the map for progressive theater companies across the country. Although their focus is mostly on Chicano related issues, they also have crossover coverage of the LGBT community and are considered an activist theater. Their body of work for this season includes "A Visitor's Guide to Arivaca," which examines the lives of those whose situation interacts with the border, "Gaytino!" a musical comedy of a man's journey in the 60s and 70s from Hollywood, to New York and back including Chicano history and the gay experience and "A Tucson Pastorela," the story of the birth of baby Jesus written by one of the theater's own employees. Their upcoming production running April 5th through the 22nd is "Hippie Mexicana" a world premiere comedy of a family who finds an unexpected archaeological site in their family's old home. However, their next performance will be a staged reading where actors will read potential plays for The Borderlands Theater in front of a live audience with minimal stage movement and sets.

The Borderlands Theater represents something that is needed in the southwest region and especially in Tucson. Even in an artist driven community like Tucson, The Borderlands Theater stands out for its unique portrayals of Hispanic culture, people and issues. It is important to have an artistic outlet for Latinos as well as have a venue devoted to socially challenging works.

But perhaps one of the most notable aspects of The Borderland Theater's work is not their commendable theatrical performances or their innovative choices of work, but rather their education outreach program. The purpose is to serve the community and youth in providing them with special performances, audience talkbacks as well as a partnership with The University of Arizona College of Humanities to provide students with well researched study guides. The Borderlands Theater is doing everything right to serve a Hispanic dominate community in Tucson.

The Borderlands Theater office is located at
Centro Cultural
de las Americanas
40 W. Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85701

Box Office Phone: (520) 882-7406

Fax: (520) 884-4264

Check out http://www.borderlandstheater.org/ for more information