Written by Maria F. Rocha, Roxanne Schroeder-Arce, and Genevieve Schroeder-Arce
November 7. 8. 9. & 10 | Price Center & Garden
Thursday - Saturday @ 7 PM
Sunday @ 3 PM
222 W San Antonio St, San Marcos, TX 78666
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 María 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 Papakō: 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
"Papakō: 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.
CAST AND CREW
JUAN ÁNGEL LEYVA (Director/Juan): Juan Ángel Leyva was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and where his love for theatre grew He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Theatre Studies in 2021. He is now a high school theatre teacher, a board member for Teatro Vivo, and works closely with the Indigenous Cultures Institute in San Marcos.
MATTHEW GARCIA (Joseph): An actor and singer based in Austin, Matt is thrilled to be here You may have seen him touring round New York with The Rev Theatre Co or performing in mountainous Wyoming for The Jackson Hole Playhouse Matt would like to thank his friends and family for the continuous support.
MONTSERRAT LUNA (Gloria): Montserrat Luna (she/her/hers) is a proud alumna of Texas State University's Performance and Production program ('24). Some of her recent credits include Fade (Lucia), The Wolves (#14), Mala Hierba (Liliana). Montse would like to thank Teatro Vivo and ICI for being so welcoming, and allowing her to be a part of this story She hopes you enjoy the show! Keep up with her on Instagram @montserratluna02
MADISON PALOMO (Clarissa): Madison Palomo (She/They/Ella) (She/Ella) is an actor and educator from the Rio Grande Valley based in Austin, TX. Her most recent work includes Sunny Days (Pink Sock/Little Gabi) with The Vortex, Exit Strategy (Jania) with Beyond August Productions, Cenicieta (Belinda), touring nationally with Glass Half Full Theatre, In Sisters We Trust or My F*cked Up American Girl Doll Play (Maggie/Kaya) with the University of Texas at Austin She is currently serving as a board member with Teatro Vivo.
JESSICA PEÑA TORRES (Ana): Jessica (she/her) is a dance/theatre artist focused on Mexican identity and performance. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Performance as Public Practice at UT Austin. In both Mexico and the U.S, Jessica has had a chance to work and perform for big and small arts organizations, such as Maru Montero Dance Company, Ballet Folclórico Nacional de México de Silvia Lozano, Teatro Vivo, Indigenous Cultures Institute, and Ground Floor Theatre.
CAST AND CREW
ADAM MARTINEZ (Tío Beto/Ancestor): Adam was a local actor, educator, clown, poet and south paw Born and raised in (now occupied) East Austin, Tejaztlán, and educated at the University of Texas at El Paso, Adam had been making theatre since he was 10 when he played a member of the Jewish resistance in an adaptation of Lois Lowery's "Number the Stars." Some credits include Enoughie in "Las Adventures de Enoughie," the Coyote in "Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote," and numerous productions of "La Pastorela " Most recently he portrayed Carbon Capture in Glass Half Full Theatre's "Lucha Libre in the Global Arena " IG: Mista.Atom
NICK WALKER (Bus Driver/Receptionist/CEO/ A/V Design): Nick is an awardwinning writer, director, and actor. A graduate of the University of Texas' theater program, Nick began his Austin career performing in theater for young audiences. Since 1998, he has been a core member of the Emmy-nominated sketch troupe, The Latino Comedy Project, known for its biting pop-culture parody By day, Nick leads creative projects as a designer and animator at his company, Zoticus He lovingly dedicates this performance to his children Brandon and Julia.
ANGELA TOLLE (Ancestor): Angela Marie Tolle is full of gratitude for all of the beautiful and caring hands who helped form the telling of this story, and for you for being here! A special thanks to her Teatro Vivo familia in Austin for all of the opportunities to create and play with them. She dedicates this journey to her mom and sister who are watching along with her other ancestors
BENJAMIN CERVANTES (Ancestor): Ben is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and is a local musician, director, and performer Recently, he was the assistant director for “Playing with Fire: After Frankenstein” with Speedrun Studios. Ben can often been seen at Fallout Theater playing piano for the musical improv troupe, "Tempo Tantrums" or performing original songs with the Dog House comedy group. He is also the biggest Meat Loaf fan this side of the Brazos and loves Strawberry Fanta
ANGEL MACIAS (Ancestor): Angel Macias was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Angel’s love for theatre grew all throughout high school, and was heavily inspired by their directors to continue in fine arts education They are now attending the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Theatre Education, and additionally minoring in Educational Psychology and Mexican American Studies. Angel will be graduating in May of 2027, and hopes to start teaching at a high school.
CAST AND CREW
JOSE SALCIDO (Stage Manager/Lighting Design): Jose Salcido is a second-year B.A. in theatre and dance with an emphasis in stage management. This is his first production with Teatro Vivo! Some of his credits include assistant stage managing UT’s T&D productions of “Ride the Cyclone,” and Dance Repertory Theatre’s “Point of Intersection,” stage managing UT T&D “Evolution, assistant production managing 2024 University of Texas New Theatre Festival. He would like to give a big thanks to his family for their constant love and support! I love you mom and dad!
THOMAS SALAS (Set/Prop Design): Tomas Salas earned a BA in theatre and Dance from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently serves as a full-time professor and technical director for the Austin Community College Drama Department Tomas has dedicated his working life to the creative arts. His professional experience has given him the opportunity to work in theatre, dance, music, visual, literary, and media arts Tomas loves working for and with Chicanx Teatro companies
RAQUEL BARRETO (Costume Design): Raquel Barreto is a costume designer born and raised in Brazil She creates costumes for new scripts and classic plays, with a focus on exploration and a desire to bring to light stories of migration and displacement She collaborates with theater companies across the country and has worked extensively at the Alley Theatre in Houston (catch her Christmas Carol this season!), the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and the Guthrie Theatre, among many others Raquel teaches at UT Austin since 2020
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 AND THE INDIGENOUS CULTURES INSTITUTE WILL PRODUCE
PAPAKŌ: THE JOURNEY IN THE SPRING2025 IN AUSTIN, TX.
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Bella Maria Varela
Dave Nicosia
Clay DeStefano
Toy Moreno
UT Department of Theatre & Dance
Capital Area Housing Finance Corp
Teatro Vivo
East Austin College Prep
The Price Center & Garden
Texas Commision on the Arts
San Marcos Arts Commission
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