Marfa Live Arts & Marfa ISD present:
Flame of The Deep
Tuesday, December I5th, 7pm (doors at 6.30pm)
Free and open to the community
Written & Directed by Jennie Lyn HamiltonAssistant Director Cate Schrim
CAST: John Aguero, Avery Beltran, Miguel Borunda, Tais Chanez, Nia Gallegos, Nalu Gruschkus, Angelica Quinonez, & Miranda Valenzuela
On Tuesday, December 15, Marfa Live Arts and students of Marfa Junior High brought to life Flame of the Deep, a vivid world of pirates, krakens and mythology. The work was a new, original play and musical written and directed by Jennie Lyn Hamilton with the support of assistant director Cate Schrim.
Flame of the Deep tells the story of two sisters Witherspoon (Nalu Gruschkus) and Cheetah (Avery Beltran) who are living aboard the pirate ship the Stallionessa Grande. Philip the Devil (John Aguero) hunts the high seas searching for the Flame of the Deep, the most valuable jewel in the world. Poseidon, (Tais Chanez) the Greek God of the seas narrates as dreadful peril, daunting courage and thrilling rescues ensue.
This free performance was the culmination of Marfa Live Arts’ semester long theater class that began in September. The class works on creative and critical thinking skills, encouraging teamwork and providing students with enriched learning experiences in the area of performing arts. The class gave students an opportunity to participate in creative dramatic activities including this final production. Students have been exposed to many aspects of theater including: characterization study, improvisational exercises, line memorization, vocal projection, scene blocking, singing, and stage combat choreography.
This is the second year Marfa Live Arts has collaborated with Marfa ISD on the Fall Theater Class. Elizabeth Gutierrez, mother of one of the young actors who participated in the theater class, says about the program, "To the students it means a lot. You notice how much effort they put into it, and they try to do their best. They love doing theater, creating things, working on stage. [Being on stage] definitely helps them be more open. It helps them with their expression at school, at home, with everybody… they don’t always know what to say or do, and it helps them learn to better articulate their thoughts.”
This education program is generously supported by Texas Women for the Arts, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, and Marfa Education Foundation. Special thanks to Andrew Peters & Marfa Independent School District, Suzi Gruschkus, Rae Ann Hample, Rob Crowley, Tim Crowley & Crowley Theater, Gory Smelley & Marfa Recording Co., Chris Hillen, Oscar Aguero, Mary Mois, JD DiFabbio, Cory Van Dyke, Robert Saltonstall, Big Bend Sentinel, Tom Michael & Marfa Public Radio, Meghan Gerety, Minerva & Delfin Lopez, Dillon Orr, Tasha Petty, Ben Shurley, Sena Hairgrove, Anthony DeSimone, Jennifer Boomer, Adam Walton, Crystal Catano, and Josh Sternberg & MISD Welding Class.
