History of Cultural and Theater Arts in Pharr, Texas
The crossroads at Cage Blvd and Newcombe/ Ave. (formerly Park Ave.) have been the center of culture in Pharr beginning in 1910 when John Kelly and Henry Pharr built the Grande Hotel and set up the Pharr Town Site Company. Agriculture was the focus and long range vision for early development in Pharr, and with the help of irrigation, a year-round growing season, coming of the railroad and the location of highways 281 and 83 which met in the center of the city, Pharr become known as “The Hub City of the Rio Grande Valley”. Building of the National Theater in Pharr set the stage for the first but undesignated Cultural and Theater District of Pharr, Texas.
Pharr Community Theater Company Timeline
2006. In an effort to help adult students (whose first language is Spanish) develop the confidence needed to use their second language of English in public settings, a class called ‘English Immersion’ was started with curriculum written and implemented by Dr. Elva I. Michal as part of the English as a Second Language offered by the Pharr Literacy Project, Inc. One-act plays using familiar topics were discussed, written and finally performed in English by these students to develop confidence in the use of English in a public setting. In 2013, the project became known as the ‘English Immersion Theater’. This theater program area has become an outreach branch of the Pharr Community Theater Company.
2008. This small group of English Language students grew, and other community residents began to work together with this class to develop a vibrant theater program for Pharr, Texas. The first play, “Legend of Bluebonnet’ by Lou Ann Gramann, was directed by Carolyn Burke. The rehearsals were held at the Pharr Housing Authority “Sunset Terrace” facility and it was performed in the San Juan Middle School auditorium. Thus, the Pharr Community Theater, in partnership with the Pharr Literacy Project, the City of Pharr and other local organizations, was located in the heart of downtown Pharr from the very beginning. The Community Theater still remains a center for cultural arts and performing arts events in this part of South Texas.
2010-2011. In November 2010, a core group of 8 Pharr residents met informally over lunch to assess interest in forming a community arts council and by 2011 a grass-roots based Steering Committee, composed of 39 members representing 17 local groups had been formed and was actively working in partnership with the Pharr Literacy Project and the City of Pharr to build community support and to design a Cultural and Performing Arts Strategic Plan. Under the leadership of Drs. Elva and Keith Michal, the process included establishing three Task Force Focus Groups that would envision opportunities for participation in the arts for all residents through a wide range of programming that would include arts education, performance, community service and cultural appreciation. The implementation of the plan would result in downtown revitalization, economic prosperity and a better quality of life for community residents. The plan would provide support for local artists and authors and offer a tourist-ready program that would be accessible to all of South Texas and beyond. Neighboring communities have contributed to the development of this plan with steering committee participation coming from as far away as Edinburg and the City of Hidalgo (north and south) and from Weslaco to Mission (east and west). The community theater was first established in the ‘Black Box Theater’ which had formerly been used as the meeting place for the Pharr City Commissioner meetings in a building known as ‘Old City Hall’. This new theater was located on the same street as the ‘National Theater’ which had been a cultural highlight for Pharr in its earliest stages of city development.
2012. The Pharr Downtown Area began to emerge as a cultural center and this concept became visually obvious with new store owners establishing their businesses here and many current owners including more interesting signage and creating building exteriors that were aesthetically pleasing. Increased traffic flow sometimes interrupted the easy access to downtown, but it also signified the growth and vitality of the area; and, a dramatic increase in activities and festivals occurred during this time span as well. An emerging theater program had already started with wide community support, lively interest and active participation.
2013. Today, the Pharr Community Theater has moved from its original location and now calls the auditorium of the vacant Carnahan Elementary School its ‘home base’. The building is only a few blocks to the south of its original Black Box Theater ‘home’. A second stage for the theater also exists now as a part of the newly established ‘Pharr Cultural and Theater Arts Center’ and it is located in the downtown heart of the city in a historical building that was fondly remembered by long-time residents as the “Old Fabric Shop’. The theater is part of The Pharr Cultural Arts Council (PCAC) which includes in its membership the following cultural and performing arts groups:
1) Pharr Community Theater Company
2) Hub City Tejano/Conjunto Museum with monthly ‘Pharr Live’ concerts
3) Pharrmer’s Market which meets weekly at the historic RGV Food Bank site
4) The International Festival, an annual Festival held at St George Orthodox church,
5) An Inner-City Downtown Merchants Coalition which sponsors the annual
6) Una Noche Llena de Luz” Festival
7) GW Enterprises, a history and art gallery and
8) The Rio Grande Valley Food Bank.
The Pharr Community Outreach Project, the Pharr Literacy Center, the Pharr Community Theater Company and the Pharr Cultural Arts Council were founded by Pharr residents, Drs. Keith and Elva Michal, who continue to support the arts and literacy in Pharr.
2006. In an effort to help adult students (whose first language is Spanish) develop the confidence needed to use their second language of English in public settings, a class called ‘English Immersion’ was started with curriculum written and implemented by Dr. Elva I. Michal as part of the English as a Second Language offered by the Pharr Literacy Project, Inc. One-act plays using familiar topics were discussed, written and finally performed in English by these students to develop confidence in the use of English in a public setting. In 2013, the project became known as the ‘English Immersion Theater’. This theater program area has become an outreach branch of the Pharr Community Theater Company.
2008. This small group of English Language students grew, and other community residents began to work together with this class to develop a vibrant theater program for Pharr, Texas. The first play, “Legend of Bluebonnet’ by Lou Ann Gramann, was directed by Carolyn Burke. The rehearsals were held at the Pharr Housing Authority “Sunset Terrace” facility and it was performed in the San Juan Middle School auditorium. Thus, the Pharr Community Theater, in partnership with the Pharr Literacy Project, the City of Pharr and other local organizations, was located in the heart of downtown Pharr from the very beginning. The Community Theater still remains a center for cultural arts and performing arts events in this part of South Texas.
2010-2011. In November 2010, a core group of 8 Pharr residents met informally over lunch to assess interest in forming a community arts council and by 2011 a grass-roots based Steering Committee, composed of 39 members representing 17 local groups had been formed and was actively working in partnership with the Pharr Literacy Project and the City of Pharr to build community support and to design a Cultural and Performing Arts Strategic Plan. Under the leadership of Drs. Elva and Keith Michal, the process included establishing three Task Force Focus Groups that would envision opportunities for participation in the arts for all residents through a wide range of programming that would include arts education, performance, community service and cultural appreciation. The implementation of the plan would result in downtown revitalization, economic prosperity and a better quality of life for community residents. The plan would provide support for local artists and authors and offer a tourist-ready program that would be accessible to all of South Texas and beyond. Neighboring communities have contributed to the development of this plan with steering committee participation coming from as far away as Edinburg and the City of Hidalgo (north and south) and from Weslaco to Mission (east and west). The community theater was first established in the ‘Black Box Theater’ which had formerly been used as the meeting place for the Pharr City Commissioner meetings in a building known as ‘Old City Hall’. This new theater was located on the same street as the ‘National Theater’ which had been a cultural highlight for Pharr in its earliest stages of city development.
2012. The Pharr Downtown Area began to emerge as a cultural center and this concept became visually obvious with new store owners establishing their businesses here and many current owners including more interesting signage and creating building exteriors that were aesthetically pleasing. Increased traffic flow sometimes interrupted the easy access to downtown, but it also signified the growth and vitality of the area; and, a dramatic increase in activities and festivals occurred during this time span as well. An emerging theater program had already started with wide community support, lively interest and active participation.
2013. Today, the Pharr Community Theater has moved from its original location and now calls the auditorium of the vacant Carnahan Elementary School its ‘home base’. The building is only a few blocks to the south of its original Black Box Theater ‘home’. A second stage for the theater also exists now as a part of the newly established ‘Pharr Cultural and Theater Arts Center’ and it is located in the downtown heart of the city in a historical building that was fondly remembered by long-time residents as the “Old Fabric Shop’. The theater is part of The Pharr Cultural Arts Council (PCAC) which includes in its membership the following cultural and performing arts groups:
1) Pharr Community Theater Company
2) Hub City Tejano/Conjunto Museum with monthly ‘Pharr Live’ concerts
3) Pharrmer’s Market which meets weekly at the historic RGV Food Bank site
4) The International Festival, an annual Festival held at St George Orthodox church,
5) An Inner-City Downtown Merchants Coalition which sponsors the annual
6) Una Noche Llena de Luz” Festival
7) GW Enterprises, a history and art gallery and
8) The Rio Grande Valley Food Bank.
The Pharr Community Outreach Project, the Pharr Literacy Center, the Pharr Community Theater Company and the Pharr Cultural Arts Council were founded by Pharr residents, Drs. Keith and Elva Michal, who continue to support the arts and literacy in Pharr.
Theater Groups:
I. The Pharr Community Theater Company produces 3 or more Main Stage Productions annually under the direction of artistic director, Pedro Garcia. In 2014 a short film, “La Soldadera” will be added to that production schedule. This performing arts component is the core and focus of the organization.
II. This theater company, in partnership with Encantado Theatre and Circulo de Salud, also serves the community through other performing theater groups as well: 1) After-School programs, envisioned and supported by Jon Taylor, arts and music administrator with the Pharr/San Juan/Alamo Independent School Districtthat include a) ‘Creative Imagination’ for children ages kindergarten through 2nd grade under the director of Heron Ramirez; b) ‘On Stage and More’ (3rd through 5th grade) with instructors including Cristina Monreal (dance and modeling), Juan Guerrero (drama), James Dutremaine (art), Hortencia Martinez and Henry Trevino (music), Juan Guerra (folklorico), program planners/teachers; and c) ‘Performance Magic”, a summer camp program for youth (grades 6 through 12).
III. “Plays With a Purpose” in partnership with “Circulo de Salud” are dramatic sketches written and performed by and for health and social concerns organizations in partnership with the Theater Company and are often toured to outlying rural neighborhoods, schools and colonias.
IV. “English Immersion Theater” is a class in Conversational English for Second Language Learners as a ‘hands-on’ and activity-based way to gain confidence in the use of English in public settings.
V. “The Strolling Players” are available to create and perform short topic-specific skits that include high entertainment value and bring a promotional flavor to community events and organizational conferences.
VI. “Pharr Community Dinner Theater”, directed by Tom Fuschetto, partners with ‘Chef Mikal’ and the St George Orthodox Church for events which provide a complete evening’s entertainment and which build tourist interest in the community.
VII. “Second Stage Theater” includes evenings of entertainment and music, hosted by our artistic director, Pedro Garcia, that use a ‘Saturday Night Live’ format to highlight and honor local talented and legendary artists in all areas of the arts.
VIII. Pharr Community Theater is available to arrange tours of events and programs to other stages, both in Pharr and across the Rio Grande Valley.
IX. Pharr Community Theater also invites other theater organizations, small or large, to share their facilities through a touring program to Pharr to perform on one or both of their performing arts facilities.
X. Group classes in acting, play production, and staging as well as both private and group lessons in all of the arts are available upon request.
I. The Pharr Community Theater Company produces 3 or more Main Stage Productions annually under the direction of artistic director, Pedro Garcia. In 2014 a short film, “La Soldadera” will be added to that production schedule. This performing arts component is the core and focus of the organization.
II. This theater company, in partnership with Encantado Theatre and Circulo de Salud, also serves the community through other performing theater groups as well: 1) After-School programs, envisioned and supported by Jon Taylor, arts and music administrator with the Pharr/San Juan/Alamo Independent School Districtthat include a) ‘Creative Imagination’ for children ages kindergarten through 2nd grade under the director of Heron Ramirez; b) ‘On Stage and More’ (3rd through 5th grade) with instructors including Cristina Monreal (dance and modeling), Juan Guerrero (drama), James Dutremaine (art), Hortencia Martinez and Henry Trevino (music), Juan Guerra (folklorico), program planners/teachers; and c) ‘Performance Magic”, a summer camp program for youth (grades 6 through 12).
III. “Plays With a Purpose” in partnership with “Circulo de Salud” are dramatic sketches written and performed by and for health and social concerns organizations in partnership with the Theater Company and are often toured to outlying rural neighborhoods, schools and colonias.
IV. “English Immersion Theater” is a class in Conversational English for Second Language Learners as a ‘hands-on’ and activity-based way to gain confidence in the use of English in public settings.
V. “The Strolling Players” are available to create and perform short topic-specific skits that include high entertainment value and bring a promotional flavor to community events and organizational conferences.
VI. “Pharr Community Dinner Theater”, directed by Tom Fuschetto, partners with ‘Chef Mikal’ and the St George Orthodox Church for events which provide a complete evening’s entertainment and which build tourist interest in the community.
VII. “Second Stage Theater” includes evenings of entertainment and music, hosted by our artistic director, Pedro Garcia, that use a ‘Saturday Night Live’ format to highlight and honor local talented and legendary artists in all areas of the arts.
VIII. Pharr Community Theater is available to arrange tours of events and programs to other stages, both in Pharr and across the Rio Grande Valley.
IX. Pharr Community Theater also invites other theater organizations, small or large, to share their facilities through a touring program to Pharr to perform on one or both of their performing arts facilities.
X. Group classes in acting, play production, and staging as well as both private and group lessons in all of the arts are available upon request.
Main Stage Productions 2008-2013
2013 Magica! A Magical Christmas! by Adan Sanchez La Zapatera Prodigiosa by Federico Garcia Lorca Patricio el Penitente by Jo Roybal Izay 2012 The Prestigious Young Ladies adapted from Moliere Real Women Have Curves by Josefina Lopez Yerma by Federico Garcia Lorca 2011 Tales of the Hidalgo Pumphouse by Lucio G. Rivera & Pedro Garcia Pat and Lyndon by Archer Crosley Bird Brains Christmas by Pedro Garcia 2010 Una Huelga Singular by Jose M. Alvarez Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya 2009 Bird Brains by Pedro Garcia A Pharr Tale by Tiffany Anderson 2008 Legend of the Bluebonnet by Lou Ann Gramann |
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