Puente Theatre
| Formation | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Type | Theatre group |
| Location |
|
Artistic director | Mercedes Bátiz-Benét |
| Website | www |
Puente Theatre is a theatre company based in Victoria, British Columbia, founded in 1988 by Chilean artist Lina de Guevara. It is among the earliest Latinx-led theatre companies established in Canada.[1] Originally focused on Latinx voices and experiences, the company later expanded its programming to include work by and about immigrants, newcomers, and equity-seeking communities.[2]
History
Puente Theatre was founded in 1988 by Lina de Guevara, who served as artistic director until 2011, when Mercedes Bátiz-Benét succeeded her.[3] According to the Canada Council for the Arts, the company’s work highlights the experiences of immigrants and newcomers in Canada.[2] Puente has been featured in Living in Victoria as a notable arts institution in the city.[4]
Productions
Selected productions include:
- I Wasn’t Born Here (1988), the company’s inaugural production exploring immigrant identity.[1]
- Of Roots and Racism (1995), an educational project addressing racism in schools.[1]
- Emergence (2007), a multidisciplinary work by Kwakwakaʼwakw poet Krystal Cook.[1]
- El Jinete: A Mariachi Opera (2014), written and directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét, presented at the SummerWorks Performance Festival in Toronto; she received the Canadian Stage Award for Direction.[5][6]
- Gruff (2014), a musical co-written by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét and Judd Palmer, produced by Puente Theatre and later published by Bayeux Arts.[7]
- Lieutenant Nun (2015, with SNAFU Dance Theatre), dramaturged and directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét; recipient of multiple Victoria Fringe Awards.[8]
- Fado: The Saddest Music in the World (2018–19, revived 2023 with the Firehall Arts Centre), directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét; winner of the JAYMAC Outstanding Production Award.[9]
- The Party (2020), written and directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét, commissioned by the National Arts Centre as part of its Grand Acts of Theatre program.[10]
- Blood Wedding: The Forest Remembers (2025), an adaptation of Federico García Lorca’s Blood Wedding, written and directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét, presented as the flagship production of the inaugural Great Works Theatre Festival.[11]
Festivals and initiatives
- Great Works Theatre Festival (2025–present), a summer repertory festival co-produced with Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre.[12]
- WORLDPLAY (1999–2020), an annual festival of staged readings of international plays at the Belfry Theatre.[1]
- WORKPLAY (2008–present), a residency for emerging playwrights developing scripts about identity.[1]
- Bridging the Gap, a residency for established IBPoC female and gender-diverse playwrights.[1]
- conVERGE Residency and Mentorship Program (launched 2018), an annual mentorship initiative for IBPoC artists that received the 2021 CRD Community Impact Award.[1]
Recognition and archives
Puente Theatre is listed in the CanadianTheatre.com directory of theatre companies in Canada.[13] Its archival records are held at the University of Victoria Libraries Special Collections.[14] The company was profiled in the Canada Council for the Arts’ *Artist Stories* series.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Puente Theatre: 30 years on". Focus on Victoria. November 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ a b c "Puente Theatre". Canada Council for the Arts. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Following her bliss: Distinguished Alumni Mercedes Bátiz-Benét". University of Victoria. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Puente Theatre Society". Living in Victoria. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "El Jinete: A Mariachi Opera (SummerWorks review)". Mooney on Theatre. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Toronto: SummerWorks Performance Festival Announces 2014 Award Winners". Stage Door News. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Gruff: A Musical for 2 Goats and a Troll". Bayeux Arts. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Lieutenant Nun". SNAFU Dance Theatre. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Fado: The Saddest Music in the World". Intrepid Theatre. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Grand Acts of Theatre". National Arts Centre. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Blood Wedding: The Forest Remembers launches Great Works Theatre Festival". Belfry Theatre News. 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Great Works Theatre Festival launches in Victoria". Focus on Victoria. July 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Puente Theatre". CanadianTheatre.com. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Puente Theatre fonds". University of Victoria Libraries Special Collections. Retrieved 30 September 2025.