ABOUT THE PLAY
Prompted by a mysterious message from beyond the grave, Juan and Joseph set out on a harrowing trip that eventually leads them to the White Shaman mural near Comstock, Texas. In those dark, cliff-recesses, overhanging the converging Pecos and Rio Grande rivers, the cousins cross over into the mystical world of their ancestors and a new message is conveyed –“return our bodies to Mother Earth ” Follow this inspirational journey across Texas that leads two teenagers into a colliding confrontation against a powerful institution that is determined to maintain their collection and never allow reburial. The playwrights of “Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet” bring you another heart-warming Indigenous story you’ll remember forever
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHTS
MARIA F. ROCHA: Maria F. Rocha is a member of the Miakan-Garza Band of the Coahuiltecan people, a state legislature-recognized tribe of Texas Rocha was a board member and administrator of Teatro Humanidad in Austin and co-founded the renowned Latino Comedy Project troupe that continues to perform to date. She is the co-author of the award-winning play “Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet” published by Dramatic Publishing and will soon publish a children’s book of the Coahuiltecan creation story She sits on the Board of Elders of Indigenous Cultures Institute, a local nonprofit that is establishing an Indigenous Cultures Center in San Marcos.
ROXANNE SCHROEDER-ARCE: Roxanne Schroeder-Arce is Associate Dean of UTeach Fine Arts and Associate Professor of Theatre Education at The University of Texas at Austin. A dedicated playwright, Roxanne’s plays including Mariachi Girl, Señora Tortuga, and the award-winning Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet (co-authored by MarĂa F Rocha) are published by Dramatic Publishing and performed widely, including at Magik Theatre. She also serves on the Teatro Vivo board and is involved with the Indigenous Cultures Institute. Roxanne is a proud first-generation college graduate. Learn more at www roxannearce com
GENEVIEVE SCHROEDER-ARCE: Genevieve Schroeder-Arce, 18, is a proud member of the Miakan-Garza Band of Coahuiltecans who is thrilled to be writing PapakĹŤ: The Journey alongside her mother and grandmother She has served as an Assistant Instructor at the Indigenous Cultures Institute in San Marcos, Texas, where she teaches Indigenous youth about their heritage in a decolonized way. She is currently an undergraduate student at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, exploring Native American and Indigenous Studies, Psychology, and Philosophy on a pre-law track She plans to focus on federal Indian law to advance tribal self-determination for her nation and others across the states.
REPATRIATION AND THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE
In 1990, a federal law was passed mandating that institutions across the United States begin the process of repatriating Native American remains to their rightful resting places. Despite this, many museums and universities have not complied, continuing to hold thousands of Indigenous remains in their collections In Texas alone, over 3,500 Native American ancestors unearthed from the soil are stored in institutions, awaiting their return to the earth.
For decades, the Miakan-Garza Band, a state legislature-recognized tribe of Texas, has been at the forefront of the repatriation movement. Through their nonprofit, Indigenous Cultures Institute, they have worked tirelessly to ensure the respectful reburial of their ancestors. One of their major accomplishments came in 1999, when tribal elders helped oversee the reburial of nearly 200 Native American remains at the San Juan Mission cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
In 2016, after two years of advocacy, the Miakan-Garza Band collaborated with the City of San Marcos to establish the first City-Repatriation burial grounds in Texas. This landmark agreement created a dedicated space where ancient remains unearthed in Hays County could be reinterred Since its establishment, twelve ancestors have been returned to the earth at this site. However, the struggle continues for two additional ancestors from Hays County, whose remains are still held by the University of Texas. The tribe has been fighting for their return since 2016
"PapakĹŤ: The Journey" is deeply inspired by these ongoing efforts. It tells the story of two young cousins who embark on a harrowing journey to fight for the right to rebury their ancestors. The play reflects the real-life battles faced by Indigenous communities as they seek justice and honor for their ancestors, bringing to life the cultural and spiritual significance of repatriation.
PAPAKĹŚ: THE JOURNEY
Directed by Juan Leyva and Oscar Franco
Choreographed by Jessica Peña Torres
CAST LIST
Joseph........................................................................................Xavier Ramos
Juan.................................................................................................Juan Leyva
Ana...................................................................................Jesscia Peña Torres
Gloria.....................................................................................Natasha Batista
Clarissa.................................................................................Madison Palomo
Tio Beto..................................................................................Adam Martinez
Ancestor......................................................................Lauren Salinas-Garcia
Ancestor.....................................................................................Angel Macias
Ancestor...................................................................................Valeria Smeke
Bus Driver/Receptionist/CEO..................................................Nick Walker
CREW
Director.........................................................................................Juan Leyva
Assistant Director....................................................................Oscar Franco
Choreographer..............................................................Jessica Peña Torres
Costume Design......................................................................Raquel Bareto
Set/Prop Design.........................................................................Tomás Salas
Light Design..............................................................................Dave Nicosia
A/V/ Sound Design....................................................................Nick Walker
SPECIAL THANKS TO
DR. MARIO GARZA (Cultural Consultant): Dr. Garza is a member and cultural preservation officer of the Miakan-Garza Band of Texas. His tribe founded the Indigenous Cultures Institute to support indigenous identity and cultural programs. He serves as the Institute’s board of elders chair. He has a multidisciplinary Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Social Science with areas of concentration are Sociology, Political Science and Social Work. He has taught classes at Michigan State University, Lansing Community College and Austin Community College. He has had a lifelong involvement in Native American issues, including repatriation of remains and preservation of sacred sites.
ABOUT ICI
Indigenous Cultures Institute is based in San Marcos, Texas. From its first year of programming in 2007 the Institute has expanded from six school presentations in Austin, to twelve volunteer staff persons and twelve major programs. The Institute expanded because it established a reputation of professionalism and high quality programming with local residents, audiences, and funders. As the board of elders explored community needs they developed new programs that fit within the organization’s mission. These new programs were only implemented when qualified indigenous leaders stepped forward to take responsibility for each project, and when funding was assured. This careful planning has served the Institute well, as its shareholders carefully expanded to the current level Please check back for updates on the latest activities.
ABOUT TEATRO VIVO
Teatro Vivo is a vital arts organization in Austin, committed to producing culturally relevant Latino theatre that addresses critical social issues. Founded in 2000 by Rupert and JoAnn Reyes, Teatro Vivo is one of Texas’s few bilingual Latino theater companies. Over the years, it has staged more than 45 full-length productions, collaborated with other arts organizations, and offered theatre workshops for underserved communities. Teatro Vivo has received numerous awards, including honors from the B. Iden Payne Awards and the Austin Critics Table, as well as a grant from the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC) to support its theater season. The company’s mission is to celebrate Latino culture, authentically tell Latino stories, and reflect the power of human experiences across diverse backgrounds. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Teatro Vivo demonstrates a commitment to responsible growth, community engagement, and the development of a unique Latino theatrical voice in Texas.
TEATRO VIVO WILL PRODUCE PAPAKĹŚ: THE JOURNEY IN THE FALL OF 2025 IN AUSTIN, TX.
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Bella Maria Varela
Dave Nicosia
UT Department of Theatre & Dance
Capital Area Housing Finance Corp
Teatro Vivo
East Austin College Prep
Texas Commision on the Arts
San Marcos Arts Commission
Planet Texas 2050
The Department of Theatre & Dance (UT Austin)
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