Fancy Fútbol was FANTASTIC!

This past Saturday two players from the Portland Thorns F.C. came to Milagro and led a futbol clinic focused on ball control and technique. In a packed Zocalo, goalkeeper Adelaide Gayand defender Emilee O’Neil played games and shared tips with 17 kids ages 4-15 (as well as some young-at-heart soccer fans)! We learned different ways to evade a defender, change directions with a ball, and use all parts of the body to control where a ball goes.  Full of games like “steal and shoot” (think “steal the bacon” with a soccer ball) and even a juggling competition, the afternoon was high energy! 

Adelaide and Emily also shared stories from their experience: the hours of practicing to juggle a ball in the front yard (sounds a lot like our favorite futbolista Guapa!), and learning to take charge of the ball, or else it would take charge of you. The afternoon ended with photos and autographs as we “Spread the Love” for the Portland Thorns F.C. and Milagro!

Do you want to enjoy all the photos of this event? just click here!

 Special thanks to the Portland Thornsf.C,  Adelaide Gay and Emiller O'Neil for help us to make  this event possible!

*****

El pasado sábado dos jugadores de las Portland Thorns F.C visitaron  Milagro y dirigieron una clínica de fútbol centrada en el control y la técnica de manejo del balón. En  el Zócalo lleno de gente, la portera y la defensa Adelaide Gay  y Emilee O'Neil jugaron y compartieron sus consejos  con 17 niños de edades entre los 4-15 años (así como con algunos jóvenes de corazón los aficionados al fútbol). Aprendimos diferentes maneras de eludir a un defensa del equipo contrario, cambiar de dirección con la pelota, y usar todas las partes del cuerpo para controlar  la dirección del balón. Entre juegos de como "robar y disparar" (piensa en "robar el tocino" con un balón de fútbol) e incluso un concurso de malabares, la tarde estuvo llena de gran energía!

Adelaide y Emily también compartieron historias y experiencias: las horas de práctica  haciendo malabares con una pelota en el patio de enfrente de sus casas cuando pequeñas  para aprender a dominar  la pelota, la cual de lo contrario se haría cargo de ellas —se parecen mucho a de nuestra  futbolista favorita: !Guapa!—. La tarde terminó con fotos y autógrafos como "Spread the Love" para las espinas Portland FC y para Milagro!

¿Quiere disfrutar de todas las fotos de este evento? Sólo haga clic aquí

Especiales gracias a las jugadoras profesionales de Potland Thornes F.C  Adelaide Gay and Emiller O'Neil  por ayudarnos a hacer este evento posible

Last Weekend of GUAPA!

 With just a couple of days away from closing night, Guapa keeps getting great comments and reactions from its audience.

On facebook, Ajai Tripathi commente, " That was a great play! Poetic, intense, and fiery. Very relatable, if you ever had a dream you will love Guapa! It is said in the play that you never really know what someone is going through, but I felt like I got to know some wonderful characters, and I liked them a great deal. I didn't want it to end"

Also on facebook, Torny Green wrote, "What a wonderfully beautiful production! Congratulations to Olga for her brilliant direction and a talented cast who brought such great energy and passion to the stage. Viva Milagro!"

Do not miss the chance and see it for yourself!. Come to Milagro, Thursdday's at 7:30 or Friday -Saturday at 8 pm, and enjoy of the charming and brave story of Guapa!

Olga is in Honduras!

In 1995 & 1996, Milagro co-founder and Executive Director José Gonzalez was invited to serve as a

Visiting Arts Administration Specialist for the United States Information Agency, conducting  workshops in arts administration and fundraising with large and small organizations in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.  So, when the US Embassy in Honduras was looking for a theatre arts specialist to conduct workshops on directing and acting for a couple of weeks in April, they naturally contacted José.  Fortunately for Olga Sanchez, he recommended her!  Olga submitted her paperwork, got her passport, and now she is in Tegucigalpa!

In Honduras, Olga will be directing a new short play, “Esperanza para un mejor país” (Hope for a Better Nation) with Lucem Aspicio, a student theatre group of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (Autonomous National University of Honduras).  Later this year, voters will elect a new President of Honduras, as well as 128 members of the National Congress and representatives in local governments.  The play, written by Blanca Estrada is the winner of a recent contest sponsored by the US Embassy to promote youth voter participation, and it will premiere as part of the XXIII Festival Internacional de Artes Escénicas Bambú on Friday, April 12th.

During her two week visit, Olga will also be offering workshops with the students of the Escuela Nacional de Arte Dramático (National School of Dramatic Art), and younger students of the Proyecto Piloto 7-14 at the Instituto Merceditas Agurcia, part of a large national program to strengthen skills and livability and eliminate poverty.  Needless to say, Olga is thrilled and honored to participate as an Arts Envoy of the Bureau of Culture and Education of the State Department!  We trust she’ll be blogging about her experiences in Tegucigalpa, Honduras over the next two weeks, stay tuned!

Follow Olga's achievements and adventures in Honduras  in her blog: http://hondurasolga13.blogspot.com/

We will keep you on the loop!

More amazing reviews for Guapa

With ONLY 2 weeks left, Guapa still receives positive feedback ¡ADELANTE GUAPA!

After the show last Saturday  Johm Tuener, a patron, send us an e-mail with his comment about the play "The show and story line theme were wonderful!  I have followed the U of Portland Women's Soccer Team and Women's International Soccer since 1990, and I have seen "Bend it like Beckham"; your actors' soccer skills, in that confined space, were amazing, as were their skills as thespians and terpsichorean.  I am out-of-town from 4/3 - 4/13, or we would attend another performance. We'll be "back" for "Dance for a Dollar".  Buena Suerte!"— John Turner

The Word on the Street

After two weeks of being performed, Guapa is STILL the buzz on las calles.  Read what Willamette Weekly  has to say about Guapa.

“'I’m a guapa made of dirt, feathers and fútbol!'  Guapa screams in one of many triumphant monologues." — Mitch Lillie,Willamette Weekly

"As Guapa’s adoptive sister Pepi, the glowing Crystal Ann Muñoz coolly transitions from studying for her astrophysics Ph.D. to getting wasted with her siblings.  All the while Roly bustles, and May-Cuxim allows just enough hope to mix in with her staunch realism..." — Mitch Lillie,Willamette Weekly

Celebrate World Theatre Day with Guapa!

Yesterday, March 27, was the world theater day.  This celebration  was establish in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI), an UNESCO agency, as a way to celebrated and recognized the beauty and work of this millinery art form in and for our communities.

Here at Milagro we want to celebrate it with you all weekend long! Come and bring a friend for free to see Guapa- our play that celebrate, among others, the beautiful sport of Futbol.

Here's is how: Simply purchase tickets online using the coupon code FUTBOL and receive two tickets for the price of one full price for any show this weekend of Guapa.  Purchase now from our online box office ( a nominal handling fee will apply). 

Want to save even more? When you come to the office and purchase with cash or check, we'll waive the handling fee! Simply stop by 425 SE Sixth Ave. (around the corner from the theatre entrance) Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m and pay with cash or check.

Come and celebrate with us the work we love to do!

Guapa is presented in English: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m, Friday - Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 p.m

A touching review of Guapa

Recently, Jorge Huerta, Professor at UCSD, saw Guapa, which runs from March 21-April 13, at Milagro Theatre.  Captivated by the performance, he delivered a touching review that explains the essence of this powerful yet moving play.

Read on.

 

 "To elaborate on my responses to "Guapa" Sunday afternoon, I was quite taken by the entirety of the piece: the direction, setting, costumes, sound, video, acting--were all top-notch. As I had hoped, the ensemble brought your characters to life in such a way that I WANTED MORE. The repartee between everybody was so real as to take me back to my family, past, present and future. I grew up in a home where my parents took-in people in need. As I was talking after the show I thought, Hakim and Guapa are "paracaidistas;" landing, falling, floating or drifting into this family in crisis. And yet, their presence does not add to but instead diminishes the crises. They all need one another in such a deep, personal way, secrets and all. I laughed and I cried. At the conclusion of the piece I was in tears and told Olga 'I don't know how I'm going to hold it together in the talkback.' But I managed to control my emotions and reveled in the audience's responses to what they had just witnessed.

 

Bueno, enough for now." 

Guapa's first review!

(left to right) Tristan Nieto, Crystal Ann Muñoz, Michelle Escobar,
 Sofía May-Cuxim and Pablo Saldaña. Photo by Russell J. Young  

Guapa's national rolling world premiere opened last weekend and is already getting great respond from  audiences and the media.  The review from The Oregonian highlights the talent of both the director and the actors in this drama by Caridad Svich with "...a narrative premise out of a TV movie of the week: a small-town talent burns to get to the big city for a long-shot competition, in this case, a street football tournament in  Dallas"

But come and see it for yourself! Guapa --- presented in English-- will run until April 13

 We have a great time last weekend at Guapa opening night. Here are some pictures of  the post play party 

New visual art exhibit by Marcos Aguirre

With every new production at Milagro, we are thrilled to share with you a new visual artist on exhibit in our lobby, and tonight’s opening of Guapa is no different. On display through April 13 is the work of Marcos Aguirre in his first professional show.

Marcos is a multidisciplinary creative artist and a graduate of the Art Institute of Portland where he attained a degree in Media Arts and Animation in 2003.  Since then he has worked as a freelance artist in multiple fields, including graphic design, interactive media, motion graphics, web sites, short films, and animation. Originally from Guatemala, Marcos enjoys learning about the histories, cultures, and traditions of all peoples and incorporating them into his art.  This is most evident in his latest project—a book of art and poetry, in collaboration with a local author.

“As an artist I want to present unique perspectives, absent of stereotypes and clichés, on matters close to me,” he writes in his artist statement accompanying the exhibit of his work at Milagro. “In order to convey these unique perspectives, I don’t limit myself to any medium, style or scale.  I'm most interested in animation and film, but also enjoy working with graphic design, collage and mix mediums.  I believe that if any viewer stops for a moment to analyze, reflect, comment, or critique my work, then I have succeeded and not wasted my time in creating an art piece.”

Find out more about Marcos:
Website:  http://www.acalcreative.com
Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aguirrecal/113499848753028?ref=tn_tnmn
For short Films here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mabo/198660656868410?ref=hl

And remember, if you are interested in purchasing one of his artworks, a portion of the price will benefit the theatre!

In the news: The Oregonian preview GUAPA

Did you see today's A&E of The Oregonian newspaper? Don't miss Marty Hughley's preview of Guapa — opening tomorrow March 22 —. Pick up a copy today or read online 

Photo of the day, March 20, 2013

Though it may be pouring and cold outside in Portland, our high desert scenic stage for Guapa—our next play opening on Mach 22nd—will keep you toasty, warm and entertained.  For more information about Guapa, call 503 236 7253, or visit www.milagro.org

"Rise above, just like Guapa." - An interview with actor Tristan Nieto

As Guapa nears its opening night, marketing assistant Stefanus Gunawan recently chatted with actor Tristan Nieto who is making his Milagro debut.  We’re elated to have Tristan in our cast, and discover more about him.

Thanks for taking your time to chat with us.  Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm a senior at Reed College completing my Bachelor's thesis on the sex/gender politics of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and this year was my first experience directing my own production of the show.  My degree is in Literature and Theatre, so it lends itself well to the combination of film and performance.

I've been acting since I was about 12.  I've done more than a dozen shows since then and had the privilege to get some excellent training at the California Institute of the Arts' summer program when I was a sophomore in high school.  My hometown is down in San Pedro, CA, right on the Port of Los Angeles.  Moving up to Portland for school was a fantastic change of scenery, even though most Californians complain about the cold.  Everyone's much friendlier up here.

Tell us your history, inspiration and motivation to pursue acting and performing?

This is the first time I've ever been offered a stipend for performances.  Before this I've always performed for free.  It's an exciting change for me; I feel like I can actually claim acting as my profession.  When I was in 8th grade, a schoolmate of mine’s father happened to be a big time actor in LA, and at that time his wife was directing a show I was in.  They told my parents I had some real talent and if they'd ever considered connecting me with an agent.  My folks were not stage parents by any means—for which I'm thankful—, but they encouraged me to keep acting.  There was a time between high school and college where I swore I'd never perform again due to a traumatic experience while acting in a show with an ex, but lo and behold I ended up back on the stage within a year or two.

How has your experience been like since being a part of the Guapa and Milagro family?

It's been lovely.  Milagro Theatre is a great operation; makes one feel at home.  When I first started working in the office as a literary intern, I loved the decor and the sound of birds chirping.  It struck me that I might be able to make a professional career working in a theatre.

Could you tell us a little about your character, and how he is intertwined in Guapa’s life?

Hakim's had a rough life, but shines it on well.  He had a violent home life before he finally had to seek out his next of kin, probably due to his father putting his mother into a coma.  He's the equalizer of the family, wants to make everyone happy, or distract them from their troubles with his craziness, so that his new home doesn't become another broken one like the last, all the while working his butt off to rise above, just like Guapa.  He loves Guapa like the little sister he never had.  He also is blown away by her love of fútbol, as he's a big fan of the sport just like the rest of the family.

Would you like to say anything to your awaiting audience?

Come see the show!  There's passion and fighting and corny jokes galore!

Olga at KBOO

Olga Sanchez, director of Guapa —our next play opening this Thursday, Mach 21nd— at Stage and Studio with Dmae Roberts. For more information about Guapa, call 503 236 7253, or visit www.milagro.org. Photo by Dmae Roberts

Art exhibition for Guapa!

Today artist Marcos Aguirre is hanging his art work! Marcos's art work will be exhibit during the run of Guapa, our next play starting March 21. For tickets and more information about the show, call 503-236-7253  or visit www.milagro.org

Notes from the Director of "Guapa"

      What does it mean to grow up? So many people, events and circumstances impact our life from childhood to adulthood, changing our perceptions about our world and our self. The people around us only see the results of our journey, the person we’ve become over time.  As Tía Roly says, “We never really know everything about a person’s life.”

     So it has been with Caridad Svich’s Guapa, which has grown and deepened thanks to the process supported by the National New Play Network’s Rolling World Premiere program and the tíos y tías (uncles and aunts) around the country who so carefully nurtured Guapa.

    Barclay Goldsmith, Artistic Director of Borderlands Theatre where the play launched in October, invited Caridad, her dramaturge Heather Helinsky, Artistic Director Bryan Fonseca (who would direct the second rolling world premiere at Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis) and me, to meet in Tucson with his production team.  We listened to Guapa and shared our visions. We started a conversation that continued through the fall and winter, as we visited Bryan and his team in Indianapolis. 

      It became clear that we all loved this complex, multifaceted, challenging play.  We were drawn to its socioeconomic messages, the honest representation of a modern American family stuck in a “dirty, old town”, doing their best against the odds. We embraced the story of Guapa’s ability to open her Tía Roly’s heart and make her believe in dreams again.  We were captivated by the family dynamics; the tension brought by Guapa and Hakim to the already strained relationships between Roly, Pepi and Lebón.  These dynamics mirror our national tension; as different languages, cultures, and values are brought to the table by the growing immigrant and minority populations. And of course, Guapa reminds us of the debt and respect we owe to the indigenous—whose lives, languages and culture have been displaced by the original wave of immigrants and their descendants ever since… 

     Guapa’s family has history, and we can never really know it all.  Not everything can be revealed; not everything can be heard and understood. Living lives filled with daily compromises, they  have little time and patience left.  Secrets that need to be told may go unheard. 

      I am so grateful for the conversations that have revealed Guapa; grateful for our family of actors, who hear and understand Caridad’s words with such fierce intelligence, talent and grace; to Alyssa, our designers, and all who’ve joined us on this journey; to Caridad who set us on this path.  And to Milagro as ever … Olé olé! —Olga Sanchez, Director

Photo of the day, March 11,2013

March 11,2013, a photo by Miracle Theatre Group on Flickr.

Emily, costume designer for Guapa — our next play opening on Mach 22nd— having a ball in the dressing room. For more information about Guapa, call 503 236 7253, or visit www.milagro.org

Volunteer to usher and see "Guapa" for free!

Guapa is opening in just a few weeks, and we are looking for a few volunteers to serve as ushers. It's super easy and a lot of fun -- and you get to see the show for free! If you are interested, please see available dates and sign up online at http://vols.pt/J1QpFz

Photo of the Day: March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013, a photo by Miracle Theatre Group on Flickr.

Our new production of GUAPA opening March 22, 2013 will feature video projections, and here Lucas Welsh prepares the videos for this weekend's tech rehearsals. For more information about the show, call 503-236-7253 or visit www.milagro.org.

"We become who we want to be" - An interview with actress Michelle Escobar

In between rehearsals for Guapa, marketing assistant Stefanus Gunawan recently chatted with actor Michelle Escobar who is making her Milagro debut in the title role. We’re thrilled to have Michelle in our cast, and happy to find out more about her.

Thanks for taking your time to chat with us.  This being your first time performing with Milagro, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Having grown up in Portland, I have wanted to be in a Milagro play since high school.  After graduating from college, Milagro was the first place I auditioned, and I feel so lucky to be a part of this project!  In school I studied theater and Spanish and was always intrigued by Spanglish and code-switching--particularly as a second-generation Latina.  There is a little of both in Guapa, which I love.  I have also been studying martial arts for almost 3 years, so when I'm not in rehearsal, I'm training as much as I can.

You were very energetic during the last photo shoot—even though it was on an early Saturday morning—and connected extremely well with the rest of the cast.  Tell us how you feel about the cast in Guapa, and what exciting things you all have been practicing to create a cohesive unit?

The experience so far with the rest of the cast has been wonderful.  We spend a lot of time together, and I've been enjoying getting to know these talented actors.  The kids all range from ages 19-26, so it's really interesting to see where all of us are in our acting careers, most of us just starting out.  I really look up to the women in our cast because they're both doing what I want to be doing with my acting future. Then, there's a lot of soccer practice that happens in rehearsal.  We like to kick the ball around and practice our lines or just try to destroy as many things in the rehearsal room as we can.  Mostly, we try to see how many times we can bounce the ball on our heads before we feel like we might pass out.

Based from your experience, who is Guapa?  How do you tie yourself with your character?

Guapa has to be one of the most interesting characters I've ever had the chance to play.  She has one big dream but faces so many obstacles.  One of the most important things about Guapa, I feel, is her understanding that her role models' influence as part of her drive to move forward and succeed.  Part of what she desires is to become a role model and inspire other guapas to be something bigger. She is determined, focused, and a little off.  Although I have been blessed with much support and resources to follow my dreams, I can relate to the hunger that drives her to be disciplined and refuse to accept defeat.  Also, neither of us has any table manners, and we don't really know what to do with our hair.

Any last words you would like to share with your future audience?

Guapa is a beautiful play that is being handled with a lot of love by Olga, the cast, and the crew.  Each character has an important story to tell that reminds us all to not lose sight of our fire, to appreciate the wildflowers, to work hard, and to gather strength from our families.  We become who we want to be.