It’s hard to believe this thing has already been around for seven years. As in past installments, expect this year’s Revolutions International Theatre Festival to unearth some of the planet’s most inventive contemporary theater—and when I say “theater,” I mean this in the broadest sense of the term.Musicians, dancers, comedians and actors are coming from Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, Germany, the Ukraine and around the United States. This year, the festival cosponsors are the National Hispanic Cultural Center and UNM’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Several festival favorites are back in town along with many Revolutions newcomers.You might recall that 2006 was a big year for Tricklock, the founder and organizer of the event. Last year, Burque’s favorite theatrical troupe became the company in residence at UNM. They now have a new office and rehearsal space at a former frat house on campus. In February, after the festival is over, they’ll begin teaching their first class at UNM, called Ensemble Incubator.“It’s going well,” says company member Elsa Menendez. “We had an amazing and intense fall. It’s always true when two entities join that there are adjustments that have to be made. It really is a learning process. But we’re excited.”“We’re in it for the long haul,” says Joe Perrachio, Tricklock’s artistic director. “We plan to become an important force in the curriculum. … The biggest challenge is that there are so many new ideas on the table.”As far as the festival goes, both Perrachio and Menendez point to an incredible roster of performers (see schedule) and some hip new twists—like the Free Speech Comedy Art Series, highlighting the revolutionary artistry of stand-up comedy, and a partnership between German company Futur3 and Tricklock that will create an on-the-fly performance during the festival on the theme of immigration.There’s much to sample here, and you’d be a fool to not take part. Get your tickets early, though, because many of these performances are expected to sell out fast.
Seventh Annual Revolutions International Theatre Festival The Schedule
Tickets to shows at UNM venues are available at the UNM box office, 925-5858 or www.unmtickets.com. Tickets for all other shows can be purchased at the National Hispanic Cultural Center box office, 724-4771. Tickets may also be purchased with cash at each venue starting one hour before the performance, although you might be out of luck if you don’t buy them in advance. For full details about tickets, the festival schedule and performers, go to tricklock.com.
