Past Productions

Written/Performed by: Christopher Rivas
Directed by: Nataki Garrett

January 2010 @ the Watts Towers Arts Center

As William Williams arrives in New York for his best friend’s wedding, he encounters a slew of colorful characters with some rather unpredictable stories. In this poignant, hilarious and provocative one-man show, everyone is yearning to share their lives with someone, and William is there to listen. And as the wedding draws closer, he finds that he, too, is inevitably entangled in this complex web of narratives. As the past resurfaces to collide with the present, William begins to piece together the network of volatile relationships connecting everyone around him and realizes his lasting influence on the world he thought he left behind.

Making Watts Count: Watts Village Theater Company Performs Guerilla-Style Show Encouraging Participation in the 2010 Census

March 2010 @ the Watts Farmer's Market

Watts Village Theater Company’s (WVTC’s) “US Census: It’s In Our Hands” works to encourage participation in the 2010 Census by explaining the purpose and uses of Census data as well as dispelling common misconceptions that often exist in disenfranchised communities about Census activities.

In keeping with their mission to bring issue-driven, thought provoking theater to Watts and the South Los Angeles area, Watts Village Theater Company (WVTC) will perform a short play written by Damion Teeko Parran and directed by WVTC Artistic Director Guillermo Avilés-Rodríguez that encourages residents of underserved communities to participate in the 2010 U.S. Census. The project is part of a season that is dedicated to site-specific or found space performance, and will be presented at the Watts Farmers Market in Ted Watkins Park.

Historically, communities such as Watts have been difficult for the Census to reach, as many people harbor feelings of mistrust toward census takers that come door-to-door to collect information. This is especially common in areas with large immigrant populations, where undocumented immigrants avoid the Census, thereby resulting in an inaccurate count of the population demographic and an inaccurate allocation of funds to an already underserved community. In an effort to combat this issue, the Census Bureau has partnered with organizations such as WVTC to raise awareness and spread accurate information about the Census.

“We are proud to serve our community with this entertaining, relevant and educational piece of theater, and remain committed to continuously producing cutting-edge, timely work by artists of color that speaks to our community,” said WVTC Artistic Director Guillermo Avilés-Rodríguez. “Partnerships with entities such as the Census Bureau are proof that what WVTC is working to change lives, and we’re committed to continuing on that track.”

WVTC is a multicultural urban theater company that seeks to inspire positive social change through innovative theatrical work. They infuse their culturally diverse community with tolerance for differences and create an appreciation for all cultures through the development and production of provocative work such as It’s In Our Hands. The company’s primary goal is to enrich the community of Watts and South Los Angeles with original, eclectic and socially relevant theatrical work.

Starring:
Raul Cardona
Angelo Francois (Spoken Word Artist)
Angela Imperial
Juan Parada
Maria Pasquarelli

Featuring:
Erick Medina

May 2010 along Metro's Red and Blue Lines

Watts Village Theater Company (WVTC) is proud to present the first annual production of Meet Me @ Metro, conceived by WVTC Artistic Director Guillermo Aviles-Rodriguez, with original works by WVTC, Moo Doo Puppets, Epic Megalopolis Productions, The Nonsense Company, Collage Dance Theatre, and East LA Rep.

Meet Me @ Metro is an exciting, interactive, trans-disciplinary theatrical journey, taking place at Metro stops between Downtown Los Angeles and the community of Watts. Using theater, dance, puppetry, music and even food, this eclectic happening will explore cultures that often converge aboard Metro that are rarely examined or understood. Meet Me @ Metro will reinforce the message that art lives everywhere and with us all. You, as the audience, will be just as instrumental in crafting these stories forming in public spaces as the performers themselves. Just as Metro moves people, so does art. We invite you to come along on this epic journey.

Performances will take place along the Metro Purple, Red and Blue Lines starting at Union Station and ending at the Watts Towers. A Metro Day Pass or any other valid Metro pass is required for the entire performance. The FREE ticket gets you your Metro Day Pass, additional service fees included, and access to all the performances!

Reservations are limited so book early!

How to experience Meet Me @ Metro:
• Purchase your ticket through EventBrite
• Arrive at the East Portal of Union Station on May 2nd, at least 30 minutes prior to your designated performance time (Map).
• Check in with a Meet Me @ Metro Tour Guide to confirm your reservation and receive a Metro Day Pass and colored balloon.
• Follow your Tour Guide (who will be wearing a Meet Me @ Metro t-Shirt that is the same color as your balloon) as they board and disembark the train and make their way to each performance. This will guarantee a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Let go of your pre-conceived notions, well-founded suspicions and deep-rooted distrust and experience the world of Meet Me @ Metro!
• Tweet, upload videos and pictures to Facebook while on the Meet Me @ Metro journey!