UNCW's first Spanish theater group, Puro Teatro
Amanda Smith | Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/10/09 Section: Lifestyles
UNCW students come together to form Spanish theater group Puro Teatro.
This week brought the development of Puro Teatro (Pure Theater), a new student theater group entirely in Spanish. The group comprises a variety of students, but they all have two things in common - a love for Spanish and a desire to experience theater.
The creation of Puro Teatro came after interest for a Spanish theater group was sparked last year at student workshops taught by Professor Amrita Das. Das, who is a professor of Spanish at UNCW, also has a background in theater and performance.
"Last year I did two workshops-one was with the Spanish club. It seemed like they [the Spanish club] were interested and liked it, so I thought how about I do this for all the students in Spanish," Das said.
Puro Teatro aspires to be an avenue for people to come together to use Spanish, express their love for theater, and also give the Latino community access to theater in Spanish, according to the group's mission statement.
Practicing a foreign language is the best way to learn. Puro Teatro provides students who are still in the learning process to sharpen their Spanish speaking skills outside of the classroom.
"Theater is one of the best ways to learn Spanish. This group will give students a place to practice and expand their knowledge of Spanish and theater," said Carol Pendergrast, a retired UNCW professor of theater that has joined to help the group.
Puro Teatro is the only theater in Spanish at UNCW and in the surrounding Wilmington area. The group is starting small, but hopes to attract more students to join and eventually span out into the local community.
The group also adds to cultural diversity at UNCW. Although Puro Teatro will perform only in Spanish, its performances are not only for Spanish speakers. The theater group provides an opportunity for a cultural experience to all students.
Spanish theater is done in such a way that enables someone who does not speak Spanish to follow along with the performance and know what is happening, according to Professor Das. Body language and background also help non-Spanish speaking viewers understand and enjoy the performance.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, from 4 to 6 p.m. The venue for the next Puro Teatro meeting is to be decided. For more information on how to become involved, contact Dr. Amrita Das at dasa@uncw.edu
This week brought the development of Puro Teatro (Pure Theater), a new student theater group entirely in Spanish. The group comprises a variety of students, but they all have two things in common - a love for Spanish and a desire to experience theater.
The creation of Puro Teatro came after interest for a Spanish theater group was sparked last year at student workshops taught by Professor Amrita Das. Das, who is a professor of Spanish at UNCW, also has a background in theater and performance.
"Last year I did two workshops-one was with the Spanish club. It seemed like they [the Spanish club] were interested and liked it, so I thought how about I do this for all the students in Spanish," Das said.
Puro Teatro aspires to be an avenue for people to come together to use Spanish, express their love for theater, and also give the Latino community access to theater in Spanish, according to the group's mission statement.
Practicing a foreign language is the best way to learn. Puro Teatro provides students who are still in the learning process to sharpen their Spanish speaking skills outside of the classroom.
"Theater is one of the best ways to learn Spanish. This group will give students a place to practice and expand their knowledge of Spanish and theater," said Carol Pendergrast, a retired UNCW professor of theater that has joined to help the group.
Puro Teatro is the only theater in Spanish at UNCW and in the surrounding Wilmington area. The group is starting small, but hopes to attract more students to join and eventually span out into the local community.
The group also adds to cultural diversity at UNCW. Although Puro Teatro will perform only in Spanish, its performances are not only for Spanish speakers. The theater group provides an opportunity for a cultural experience to all students.
Spanish theater is done in such a way that enables someone who does not speak Spanish to follow along with the performance and know what is happening, according to Professor Das. Body language and background also help non-Spanish speaking viewers understand and enjoy the performance.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, from 4 to 6 p.m. The venue for the next Puro Teatro meeting is to be decided. For more information on how to become involved, contact Dr. Amrita Das at dasa@uncw.edu
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