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A New Theater and Circus
"El Teatro Carmen" was the first theater in Tucson, Arizona that held Spanish speaking plays and variety shows. This theater held these Spanish speaking productions until 1922, which was also when the Spanish circus was founded. The “El Circo Cubano” was a traveling tent show founded in San Antonio and traveled all through Texas. -
Teatro Nacional
The "Teatro Nacional" was built in San Antonio, Texas. This venue became a hotspot for Spanish speaking productions. It stayed in business into the 1930's. The building had to undergo renovations for three months to expand the seating.This theater was a great addition to the area, because it allowed the Mexican population to hold onto its roots. Also, it allowed Americans to experience a new culture. -
Beatriz Noloesca
During this year, an actress/comedian began her rise to fame. Beatriz Escalona decided to change her name to Beatriz Noloesca, and began her journey as the underdog in the Spanish production circuit. The more she performed she acquired the nickname, "La Chata Noloesca", due to her pugged shaped nose. Throughout her journey she became extremely popular as a Spanish comedian. -
Expanding
During this time the Spanish culture expanded to Los Angeles, California after the Mexican revolution. These people found their new home and were bringing their culture with them. They began holding Spanish speaking plays in front of local audiences. Many Spanish playwrights made their way to Los Angeles, and these included, Eduardo Carrillo, Dalaberto González, Esteban Escalante and Gabriel Navarro. -
Productions Take a Turn
Now that the Latino culture had spread into Los Angeles, the production types shifted. After the Mexican war, the people were no longer trying to hold onto their culture. Now they wanted to show what it was like to be an immigrant in America. The Latinos were now embracing their new home by integrating American and Mexican cultures. This gave them the opportunity to perform less Spanish dramas, which dominated the stage in the previous decade. -
The Downfall
During this time America entered the Great Depression and everyone was suffering. The government decided to deport Latinos. The only requirement for deportation was that you had a Mexican last name. Since the requirement was not hard to meet, about 500,000 people are deported. Among these Latinos were not only immigrants, but also Latinos that were American born citizens. To them, Mexico was a foreign land. -
The Clean Up
After the Great Depression, Theodore Roosevelt tried to offset the horrible events. He decided to start the Federal Theater Project. The Latino theatre received very little outreach. The only help they received was to join the "Centro Austriano" located in Tampa, Florida. The project was responsible for the performances of forty-two productions at the "Centro Austriano". -
Play's Success
The play "La Carreta", translated as The Oxcart, had its start up in New York. This play showed the life of a Puerto Rican immigrant in New York. The play was well received and became very popular in New York and Puerto Rico. The play becomes such a big hit that José García, a filmmaker, decided to make it into a short film. This was huge for the Latino culture. It shoed how they were beginning to be accepted in this "new world". -
The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater
After "La Carreta" took off as a hit, Miriam Colón (actress) founded The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (PRITT). The company had Puerto Rican playwrights such as José Luis González leading its rise in popularity. The company traveled all throughout New York, and tried to target a wide variety of people, with Puerto Ricans being its number one target. With the plays targeting so many people, they decided to offer plays in Spanish and English. -
The Big Show
Luis Valdez wrote a play about the heritage and lives of contemporary Mexican Americans called "Zoot Suit". The play took place during WWII. A group of young Mexican American males have a case of injustice against them. The play had Mexican musical forms mixed with Living Newspaper techniques. This was the first Latino play on broadway. The play was later turned into a film.