The CONCERT of CANTOS, CUENTOS & CORRIDOS of SANTA ANA

This concert is The Culmination of “Cantos, Cuentos and Corridos of Santa Ana: Stories of the Heart.''

A day with two performances of storytelling through song, story, spoken word, and poetry. Performers will be a combination of talented ensemble, community artists and participants. The work has been generated through a series of community workshops, a musically driven, theatrical re-imagining of the untold stories of the people, the history, and or the stories of Santa Ana from the heart.

The event will take place Sunday September 8th at 2:00pm and at 6:00pm

in the Grand Central Arts Center Theater Space at 125 N. Broadway in Downtown Santa Ana.

These presentations are FREE. Seating is limited and reservations are highly recommended.

The framework that guided the process was incorporating the traditional genre of the “CORRIDO,”  a nearly three hundred year old storytelling form, cherished in Mexico and the United States.

Over 100 folks who live/ lived, contribute/contributed, work/worked, and or go / went to school in Santa Ana participated in our workshops. The workshops were FREE with no experience required.

Our hope for this project is to uplift our city’s spirit and for residents to connect through creativity, storytelling and song. Additionally, to launch programming that supports and develops new musicals and plays with music. Below are what folks shared about the workshops:

“I really enjoyed this and you were all amazing and great!” - Michelle, age 14 to 17

“The workshop was very fun and enjoyable. Being able to see how a corrido can be created in very little

time was great.” - anonymous, age 18 to 21

“keep doing this work! Hechhhhale con gannnnas”  - Colby, age 18 to 21

“we should do this more often” - anonymous, age 14 to 17

“Amazing facilitators. Hoping to continue a series of sessions for these workshops.” - Roberto, age 31 to 35

- “Estuvo bonito el taller” - Diana, age 46-50

“I'm very happy you guys worked with us even if it was a bit difficult. We could be a bit shy but I very much

enjoyed hearing the stories of others.” - anonymous, age 14 to 17

“This helped me tap into my creative spirit and I’ve been wanting to spend time with it more” - Dorian, age 31 to 35

This project is sponsored in part by the City of Santa Ana 2023-2024 Investing in the Artist Grant REVIVE AWARD. Additional support is made by The Latino Theater Company’s  National Latinx Theater Initiative General Operating Support Grant Award 2023-2025 , individual donors, BOFLTE Board and Volunteers.

What and why:

• Residents were invited to create their own corrido, either writing events from their own Santa Ana experience or from the history of Santa Ana. The songs developed in this process have their own story to tell. There is much more to explore in this traditional genre.
• Up to fifteen + songs will be presented.
• Experience in songwriting is not required. The launch began in Spring 2024 and will conclude on September 8, 2024 at Grand Central Arts Center in Downtown. Theater space provided by Wayward Artists.
• Workshops, rehearsal processes, and presentations will take place within the timeframe.
• Reserve your spot by visiting www.breathoffire.org
• Questions, please email at: breathoffirelatinatheater@gmail.com

The Production:

Mercy Vasquez* - Director

Moises Vázquez* - Music Director, Composer

CJ Lazatin - Stage Manager

Melanie Fálcon - Sound Designer, Technician and Mixer

Blake Huntley - Lighting Designer

Diana Burbano* Writer, Artistic Associate

Angela Apodaca* - Artistic Associate, marketing, translations

Sara Guerrero* - Producer

The Project:

Sara Guerrero* - Project Director, Moises Vázquez* Music Director, Composer, Diana Burbano*,- Lead Artist, Musical Theater and BOFLTE’s Literary Director,  Angela Apodaca*, Teaching Artist, Project Arts Admin Associate (2023 Recipient of The Gina Davidson Memorial Artist Grant of BOFLTE).

Board of Directors:

Adriana Alba*-Board Chair, Yolanda Mendiveles*-Vice Chair, Debra Gomez Russell-Treasurer, Margo Rofé*-Secretary, Yvonne Flores-Board Member, Tony Viramontes-Board Member

Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that  supports its mission by serving as an incubator for voices that have been historically excluded in theater and on the stage. We do this by providing programming that offers guidance in storytelling, playwriting, producing, and acting. As artist residents of California State University of Fullerton’s Grand Central Arts Center in Downtown Santa Ana, we offer programming that brings seasoned theater artists to facilitate high-quality theater-making workshops in person, and online. No one has ever turned away for lack of experience and our community programming is free.

BOFLTE is supported by our leadership, artists of our community, volunteers, and donors like you. BOFLTE makes every little bit count and happy and appreciative to accept your generous donation. Please consider donating in 2023 to support our FREE programming to our community online and in-person! DONATE HERE.

*BOFLTE Ensemble