21 Aug Teatro Esperanza: Empowering the Hispanic/Latine Community Through Art and Belonging

BY ERICK BARRAGÁN RAMÍREZ

Founded in December 2018, Esperanza Arts Center (EAC)—also known as Teatro Esperanza—is a space for the Hispanic and Latine community in the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia, providing an accessible platform for movies, concerts, and plays, allowing the community to engage with their culture without traveling to other countries or the center of Philadelphia. Esperanza Arts Center is part of Esperanza, “a multi-service education and community economic development organization operating culturally sensitive programs to address the unmet needs of North Philadelphia’s community.” Part of Esperanza’s services includes the Artistas y Músicos Latinoamericanos (AMLA) as well as the Esperanza Academy Charter School.

cinéSPEAK had the chance to talk with William “Bill” Rhoads, Senior Vice President of the Esperanza Arts Center; Marángeli Mejía-Rabell, Co-Founder and Partner at AFROTAINO and Festival Director of the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival (PHLAFF); and Vivian Vazquez Irizarry, director of the documentary Decade of Fire.

Before opening the EAC in 2018, Rhoads held forums with diverse representative groups in the Hunting Park neighborhood and the Greater Philadelphia Area made up of local business owners, faith leaders, educators, service organizations, students, and block captains. Rhoads said, “The primary question for each group was: This is your theater—it will be built to serve you. What is it that you would like to see in your space?” From those forums, as well as discussions with Esperanza leaders and stakeholders, Rhoads arrived at a clear mission and vision by the directives of engagement, partnership, and mentorship/training.

Esperanza and EAC are driving equitable change through their programming, which incorporates community perspectives. EAC positions itself as an authentic voice for and of the neighborhood, empowering and engaging residents through the arts. EAC also establishes long-term partnerships with renowned organizations. Some recent partnerships include The Philadelphia Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Mann Center, Philadanco, FringeArts, BalletX, Orchestra 2001, Carnegie Hall, and the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival. These partnerships led to performances of the highest caliber that are relevant to and reflect the community they serve. They also involve community residencies and interactive workshops with children and families in Hunting Park to mentor the next generation of Latinx artists and art lovers in the region.

Marángeli Mejía-Rabell explained that the collaboration between PHLAFF and EAC began because both founders of PHLAFF had a relationship with Esperanza. Last year, PHLAFF diversified its collaboration with EAC by sponsoring and incorporating a spring recital and initiating a pilot program on the Puerto Rican folkloric instrument called the cuatro. As part of the program, PHLAFF also highlighted a short film called Negrura featuring an emerging cuatrista Fabiola Mendez. The goal for PHLAFF and EAC is to celebrate their values and support community-building by facilitating intergenerational dialogue and connection. While PHLAFF has received funding from Esperanza, they are now able to return the favor by sponsoring the cuatro program. This mutual exchange highlights the value of building relationships with a variety of people and organizations in the community.

This year, PHLAFF collaborated with the University of the Arts and Esperanza Academy students, engaging over 20 students in career exploration and providing them with insights into university opportunities and the journey of an artist. 

The EAC also provides additional valuable mentorship and vocational experience to early college and high school students in the community through paid positions in production and guest services. Additionally, the theater serves as an incubator for community creation and showcases local talent, featuring an artist-in-residence each season who leads workshops with neighborhood youth.

Recent EAC artists-in-residence include Tanaquil Marquez, Ximena Violante, Che Guerrero, and in the 2023-2024 season, Suzzette Ortiz. 

The Teatro’s contributions align closely with the themes conveyed in Vivian Vazquez’s documentary Decade of Fire. The film sheds light on injustices, such as forced displacement due to redlining and gentrification, which are also addressed by the Teatro’s and Esperanza’s overall mission. The film portrays the burning of homes in the Bronx orchestrated by landlords and speculators for the purpose of collecting insurance and evicting tenants. This brought many of the people who lived there – Puerto Ricans, African Americans, and Latinos – to Philadelphia in the area surrounding Esperanza. 

“At Esperanza, our aim is not only to establish an arts center and provide vital services to the residents of Hunting Park but also to ensure that the community can remain in their neighborhood and reap the benefits of these programs,” Rhoads added.

Collaborating with PHLAFF for the screening and conversation with Vivian Vazquez in 2018 was a first step. Additionally, EAC has showcased other significant films for the Latine community, such as Adios Amor, documenting the life of Maria Moreno, and the recent Landfall, portraying the ongoing challenges in post-Maria Puerto Rico.

When I asked Vivian if she recognized the individuals at the theater during her presentation of the documentary Decade of Fire, I inquired whether the attendees in North Philadelphia were the same people who were present in the Bronx during the events depicted in her film. Many parents approached her, questioning whether she still remembered the distinct smell of the fires, which served as a touching reminder that these were indeed the same individuals.

She also highlighted that the significance of the Teatro lies in recognizing the importance of our roots, traditions, and history. This knowledge is crucial for personal growth, and for many years, it has been marginalized or even erased. Vivian considers Esperanza’s mission to be both critical and courageous as they aim to protect and uphold their cultural heritage.

“You cannot effectively serve a community unless your mission and programs are informed and driven by the community you serve,”  Rhoads concluded.

The Teatro through the Arts Advisory Council (AAC) comprises influential Latine leaders and promotes cultural diversity, generates pride, and offers a platform for both Latine and non-Latine audiences to explore and appreciate the rich scene of Latin arts and traditions. This Council is made up of leaders like Alba Martinez, Yocasta Lora, Emilio Buitrago, Monica Parilla, and Ivette Compean Rodriguez.

Community-driven initiatives like the Teatro bring immense value to the residents in the area by ensuring that their mission and programs are guided by the community. Esperanza’s approach and initiatives are developed in collaboration with Philadelphia’s Latine residents, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging.

*Featured Image: Image from a performance at Teatro Esperanza.

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Erick Barragán Ramírez is an immigration specialist at Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia, PA.  In addition to being an avid cinephile he serves as a board member of the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia. With a background in law studies in Mexico, he came to the US in 2017 and actively volunteers at various organizations supporting immigrants in Philadelphia, including the Welcoming Center, the Consulate of Mexico, and the online radio Philatinos.