ASTC Forum Travels to Havana or Theatre Consultants Riding Around in Cars

From October 23-27, 2019 ASTC members Scott Crossfield, Millie Dixon, Kevin Macpherson, Heather McAvoy, Joe Mobilia, Michael Parrella, Peter Rosenbaum, Peter Scheu, and Chip Ulich, accompanied by 6 family members, participated in an intensive cultural exchange with a focus on architecture, theatre, dance, music and art in Cuba’s capital. The group, based mostly in the historic Hotel Naçional, was led by experienced U.S. based guides Joe Rosenberg, a leading expert in architecture and theatre and Alejandro Almaguer, a Cuban-born economist who now lives in New York City. The group explored several historic theatres including:

• 1,500 seat Gran Teatro Alicia Alonso, built in 1915, and recently restored. Home of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba and named for its founder and grand dame of Cuban ballet.
• Teatro Marti built in 1884 and the first theatre in Cuba to show film. Currently used primarily for theatre.
• Rex Teatro, built in 1938, now a charming ruin being restored as the studio for Kadir Lopez Nieves, an artist who has been reclaiming and restoring many of Havana’s pre-revolutionary neon signs.
• Teatro America, a 1,775-seat mini replica of Radio City Music Hall built in 1941.
• Verdun, the ruins of an abandoned theatre built in 1919 and featuring the remains of the mechanisms of its rare retractable roof.
• Teatro Nacional de Cuba, opened in 1979, a two-theater complex (2,500 seats and 800 seats) that is in general disrepair, but in active use.

We were also guided by a docent through the beautifully restored Capitolio, and by a local architect through other architecturally significant buildings and neighborhoods, including the 1960’s ruins of the Institute of Superior Art’s Ballet and Circus schools, and the fishing village of Jaimanitas where artist José Fustera created a community art project decorating his neighborhood with mosaic art in homage to Antoni Gaudi. We had guided walking tours of various neighborhoods and were treated to a fun ride in vintage American convertibles through some of the less tourist-traveled neighborhoods of the city.

All of our tours were informative and illuminating of the support the Cuban people could use in improving and maintaining their facilities. But our direct interactions with Cuban artists and entrepreneurs were very special, and all would say, the highlights of our trip. We were serenaded at a rooftop salon with a sweeping sunset view of the city, by singers who performed in Rent, the first Broadway musical to be produced in Havana in 60 years. We were generously hosted by Alejandro’s family for a lunch cooked and served in his family home in the beach and fishing town of Baracoa, west of the city. We were hosted by visual artists Lisandra Ramírez Bernal and Osmeivy Ortega Pacheco in their home and studio. We were treated to a stunning dance piece by Havana-based Malpaso Dance Company. And on our last night, we felt our relative ages when joining the youth of the city in the Fabrica de Arte Cubano, described by our tour guide as “Havana’s trendiest night spot for art, music and socializing.” Amid startling art and pulsating electronic music, we got a sense of the vibrant and youthful art and music scene that is the heart of Havana.

By Heather McAvoy, ASTC

In a series of articles that will be serialized on our website, the participants will share their insights gleaned during this memorable trip.
Please view all the photos in the article: ASTC Theatre Tour - Havana

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the American Society of Theatre Consultants. This article is for general information only and should not be substituted for specific advice from a Theatre Consultant, Code Consultant, or Design Professional, and may not be suitable for all situations nor in all locations.