Cuéntame is a unique initiative by Latinx Arts Network STL and EncoreSTL that places the voices and experiences of St. Louis’ Latinx community at center stage. The organizations have collaborated to collect and curate Latinx stories and provide the space and means to tell them in a captivating way.
As Alexa Seda, Chief Operating Officer of EncoreSTL, explains, “This is part of a series on honoring our stories and talking about our traditions, our journeys, and making sure that we have a representative voice when it comes to the Latin culture – especially because we are not a monolithic group.”
The Latinx Arts Network STL, which is a network for artists and art advocates who support and encourage Hispanic and Latinx arts in the St. Louis area, says they believe Cuéntame will be one of the first to highlight real stories specifically from St. Louis’ Latinx community.
“Historically, our community has been reserved when it comes to sharing our stories publicly,” said Carol Lara, Latinx Arts Network member and Cuéntame project lead. “However, in recent years we feel like there has been a shift and that people are beginning to feel more empowered to share, resulting in unity within our own community and beyond.”
Lara discussed how sharing these stories is a pathway to connect with others, to heal, and to learn. The production of Cuéntame will be a multi-sensory experience in which the audience will connect with stories about “back home”, immigration, love and more.
Cuéntame is set to take place November 10 – 12, 2023 at Encore! Theatre (2607 Potomac St, St. Louis, MO 63118). Friday and Saturdays shows start at 7pm, Sunday’s show starts at 2:30pm. Visit www.latinxstl.com/cuentame or www.encorestl.org/shows for more information and to purchase tickets.
Seda provided deeper insight into this how Cuéntame came together and what audiences should expect from this special storytelling effort.
Q: Can you give us an overview of Cuéntame?
Seda: Cuéntame is a truly magical and immersive theater experience, deeply rooted in the authentic stories and experiences of the Latine community here in St. Louis. Our inspiration for developing this show came from a strong desire to showcase the diversity within the Latino community and break away from the notion that we are a monolithic group. By collecting stories directly from individuals in the community, we aimed to create a powerful and genuine representation of who we truly are, going beyond stereotypes and delving into the heart of our unique experiences.
Q: What was the catalyst for developing this show and for seeking stories from community members to directly influence what is presented?
Seda: One of our key goals was to foster a love for theater within the community by providing a platform where they could see their own stories and identities reflected on stage. Being part of the Latinx Arts Network STL, we also sought to bring together artists of all trades and engage the entire community in this project. We envisioned Cuéntame as a way to bridge cultural divides, making it as accessible as possible and showcasing the rich tapestry of Latino experiences.
Q: In what ways will this show be unique to St. Louis theatre goers?
Seda: In a city with a vibrant theater scene like St. Louis, Cuéntame will stand out for its innovative and unique approach. The show will seamlessly blend traditional theater elements with immersive components and audience interaction. We want the audience to be fully immersed in the world we create, engaging not only their sight and hearing but also their other senses, enabling them to feel like they are part of the characters’ journey.
Q: What kinds of stories should people expect to experience when they attend the show?
Seda: When attendees come to experience Cuéntame, they can expect a rich tapestry of stories that touch upon various aspects of life. From drama to comedy, from family journeys to heart-wrenching tales of growing up Latino and dealing with interpersonal family conflicts, the show will offer a diverse range of emotions and experiences – all presented through a comical lens that seems too familiar.
Q: How does Cuéntame fit into the larger mission of Encore STL?
Seda: Cuéntame perfectly aligns with the larger mission of Encore STL, which is all about pushing the boundaries of theater, taking risks, and building bridges between different cultures and communities. By highlighting the common human experiences that transcend cultural backgrounds, we hope to break down barriers and foster greater understanding and empathy among audiences. We firmly believe that through this shared experience, we can demonstrate that despite our diverse backgrounds, we are all interconnected and share fundamental similarities, regardless of language or ethnicity. Cuéntame is a celebration of our shared humanity, a reminder that we all bleed the same and that our stories can unite us in a powerful and transformative way.
Cuéntame Amplifica las Historias Latinx
Cuéntame es una iniciativa única creada por Latinx Arts Network STL y EncoreSTL que pone las voces y experiencias de la comunidad Latinx de St. Louis en el centro de atención. Las organizaciones han colaborado para recopilar y curar las historias Latinx y proporcionar el espacio y los medios para contarlas de una manera cautivadora.
Como explica Alexa Seda, Directora de Operaciones de EncoreSTL, “Esto es parte de una serie de homenajes a nuestras historias y de hablar sobre nuestras tradiciones, nuestros viajes, y asegurarnos de tener una voz representativa cuando se trata de la cultura latina, especialmente porque no somos un grupo monolítico”.
Latinx Arts Network STL, que es una red de artistas y defensores del arte que apoyan y fomentan las artes hispanas y latinas en el área de St. Louis, afirma que creen que Cuéntame será uno de los primeros en destacar historias reales específicamente de la comunidad Latinx de St. Louis.
“Históricamente, nuestra comunidad ha sido reservada cuando se trata de compartir nuestras historias públicamente”, dijo Carol Lara, miembro de Latinx Arts Network y líder del proyecto Cuéntame. “Sin embargo, en los últimos años sentimos que ha habido un cambio y que las personas están comenzando a sentirse más empoderadas para compartir, lo que ha resultado en una mayor unidad dentro de nuestra propia comunidad y más allá”.
Lara habló sobre cómo compartir estas historias es un camino para conectar con otros, sanar y aprender. La producción de Cuéntame será una experiencia multi-sensorial en la que la audiencia se conectará con historias sobre “el hogar”, la inmigración, el amor y más.
Cuéntame está programado para llevarse a cabo del 10 al 12 de noviembre de 2023 en el Teatro Encore! (2607 Potomac St, St. Louis, MO 63118). Las funciones de viernes y sábados comienzan a las 7 p. m., la función del domingo comienza a las 2:30 p. m. Visita www.latinxstl.com/cuentame o www.encorestl.org/shows para obtener más información y comprar boletos.
Seda brindó una visión más profunda de cómo se unió Cuéntame y qué pueden esperar las audiencias de este esfuerzo especial de narración de historias.
P: ¿Puede darnos una descripción general de Cuéntame?
Seda: Cuéntame is a truly magical and immersive theater experience, deeply rooted in the authentic stories and experiences of the Latine community here in St. Louis. Our inspiration for developing this show came from a strong desire to showcase the diversity within the Latino community and break away from the notion that we are a monolithic group. By collecting stories directly from individuals in the community, we aimed to create a powerful and genuine representation of who we truly are, going beyond stereotypes and delving into the heart of our unique experiences.
P: ¿Cuál fue el catalizador para desarrollar este espectáculo y para buscar historias de los miembros de la comunidad que influyeran directamente en lo que se presenta?
Seda: One of our key goals was to foster a love for theater within the community by providing a platform where they could see their own stories and identities reflected on stage. Being part of the Latinx Arts Network STL, we also sought to bring together artists of all trades and engage the entire community in this project. We envisioned Cuéntame as a way to bridge cultural divides, making it as accessible as possible and showcasing the rich tapestry of Latino experiences.
P: ¿De qué manera será este espectáculo único para los asistentes al teatro de St. Louis?
Seda: In a city with a vibrant theater scene like St. Louis, Cuéntame will stand out for its innovative and unique approach. The show will seamlessly blend traditional theater elements with immersive components and audience interaction. We want the audience to be fully immersed in the world we create, engaging not only their sight and hearing but also their other senses, enabling them to feel like they are part of the characters’ journey.
P: ¿Qué tipo de historias deben esperar las personas experimentar cuando asistan al espectáculo?
Seda: When attendees come to experience Cuéntame, they can expect a rich tapestry of stories that touch upon various aspects of life. From drama to comedy, from family journeys to heart-wrenching tales of growing up Latino and dealing with interpersonal family conflicts, the show will offer a diverse range of emotions and experiences – all presented through a comical lens that seems too familiar.
P: ¿Cómo se integra Cuéntame en la misión más amplia de Encore STL?
Seda: Cuéntame perfectly aligns with the larger mission of Encore STL, which is all about pushing the boundaries of theater, taking risks, and building bridges between different cultures and communities. By highlighting the common human experiences that transcend cultural backgrounds, we hope to break down barriers and foster greater understanding and empathy among audiences. We firmly believe that through this shared experience, we can demonstrate that despite our diverse backgrounds, we are all interconnected and share fundamental similarities, regardless of language or ethnicity. Cuéntame is a celebration of our shared humanity, a reminder that we all bleed the same and that our stories can unite us in a powerful and transformative way.
