We open in a week!!!

Wow, a week away and it seems like there is so much to do...wait, there is so much to do! I'll keep this short and sweet then. I've seen two run throughs of the play already and I am blown away at how good this play is! I always laugh and cry when I see this play! (Oh, and there's this part that had me rolling on the floor...it was so hilarious. I won't give it away because what I find funny, maybe you won't find so funny. But oh my god is this play amazing!) I know I'm gushing. That's a good thing if the producer is gushing, right!

Carmen and an actor visited the Refugee Hotel here in downtown Toronto last week. Refugees from Afghanistan and Iraq that have arrived in the last two weeks are living at this hotel. It's true what Carmen says. This play is NOT historical. It is relevant and it's such a shame that these issues are still present today. Which is why this play is important.

Great episode this week. Makes you want to run out and buy tickets for the play....so what are you waiting for? See you at the show!

Thanks for watching.

Un abrazo,

Marilo :)

Episode Six

Designing our way to the top!

So, we're one week and a half into rehearsals. Everything is going really, really well! The actors are working hard, the director (and writer) is working really hard...and the designers are building and prepping for the run of the play. All around me I feel a buzz about this play. People are beginning to talk. I myself can't wait to see what all of them are creating!

I just want to say to all of you who read this blog, we are still raising money for this show. The best way you can help us out is by buying your tickets early. Buy them today. Please. it's the best way to help. I can't tell you how much it would help us if you bought your tickets today...

Our latest episode delves into the minds of our talented designers. A behind-the-scenes look at the design and look of the show. Very exciting!

Now, what are you going to do now? Buy your tickets! Arts Box Office

Thanks so much for your support.

xo Marilo

Oh, almost forgot to mention, Alameda Theatre Company was featured in the Toronto Star yesterday. Have a read here: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/theatre/article/688568

This work, our work, is making a difference. One play, one writer, one designer, one actor at a time.

Episode Five

First day...

Yesterday we began. I am feeling quite excited! The whole cast and design team, plus a few guests and the production team were present. The room was full with the euphoric feeling of the first day of a journey, a new beginning.

The first read through made us all cry and laugh. Julie, one of Alameda's board members, was so moved and excited about the story and the words. She said she loved the fact that the funny bits helped you to get through the really moving and tragic moments in the play. It took you along on a real journey.

We had a special guest present. Señora Carmen Rosa Santos. Her bravery and strength were so admirable and inspiring. It hit home to everyone, I think, that this play's themes are as real as the words that she spoke to us in the room. A survivor of the atrocities of Pinochet's regime, she was unwavering in her conviction and belief in the struggle to fight human rights abuses. I realized why we are doing this, with even more conviction. For her, for all the political prisoners around the world, for all the disappeared and for all of the exiles. This story, this play is for you.

And Carmen spoke the truth when she said, the survivors don't speak from a place of feeling sorry for themselves. They speak from a place of clarity and truth. Gracias señora Carmen Rosa por sus palabras.

Enjoy episode 5.

Un abrazo,

Marilo

Episode Four

A hard day for producing....

Today was a hard day. I can't lie. It was one of the hardest days I've had in a long time. I'm so frustrated and depressed by the fact that it feels as if no one wants to give us money to produce this play. I've been turned down by everyone it seems! It's been a rough day. I wanted to just curl up and cry. But my husband and my daughters kept me going. Also, I received an email, from out of the blue, from Marcelo Puente a week ago that I've posted on my wall. It literally came out of the blue, at a point when I was beginning to question it all. No joke. It has now become my mantra. I wanted to share it with you just so you know how powerful a mantra it is...And how much I love Marcelo for it.

Querida Marilo:(Dear Marilo)
Hoy por algun motivo (Today for some reason) he estado pensando en tu Proyecto de Teatro Alameda (I've been thinking about your project, the Alameda Theatre) , que es algo asi como una monta~na de bellas ideas (which is something like a huge mountain of beautiful ideas) y gente actuando con acentos y sin acentos (and people acting with accents and without accents) , pero cargados de un futuro lleno de girasoles.(but full of a future full of sunflowers).
No te detengas jamas (Don't ever stop what you're doing)
No pares jamas (Don't ever stop)
Que nada te haga dejar todo (Don't let anything stop you from doing it all)
Que sigas eternamente luchando por ese escenario (Keep fighting, eternally, for that stage, that idealistic stage)
Que cada dia crezca mas y mas (and that each day let it grow more and more)...y mas y mas(and more and more)....y mas y mas (and more and more) con el cari~no, dedicacion y amor con que tu sabes hacerlo(with the love, dedication and tenderness that only you know how to do it with)
Un abrazo y un sol (A big hug and the sun to you)
Marcelo

I don't need to say any more than that. I will not give up. I will keep going. I know I can do this. Please help me to do this by seeing the show. It's all I ask.

Marilo