History
Colombian Theater Pre-Independence
Indigenous Colombians were first introduced to theater during the reign of the Spanish. Colombia’s colonization, and thus subjugation, lasted from 1525 to 1819. Because of the timing, early performances were greatly influenced by Spanish Golden Age theater—a product of theTheater of 19th Century and the Independence
After Colombia gained its independence in 1819, theater content shifted away from its religious roots and towards building a national identity. As theater attendance had become common across all social classes, the stage became an opportunity to reinforce themes of unity, conscience, and liberation. Out of this era came memorable playwrights such as Luis Vargas Tejada, the “forerunner of Colombian theater.” The Santa Fé writer briefly served as Secretary of the Senate. He would later join a Bolivar oppositionist group. Throughout his time as a young revolutionary and political figure, Tejada wrote several plays and monologues across multiple genres. His most notable works are still performed today, including Las convuliones and Doraminta. The latter was written during Tejada’s final months, the majority of which was spent hiding in a cave. José Fernández Madrid was another playwright whose works gained immense recognition in 19th century Colombia. Based out of Cartagena, Madrid wrote political plays critiquing Spain’s conquests of Central and South America. These two playwrights, along with several others, helped to carve out a unique and solidified identity for Colombian theater. The growing fondness of the practice led to the construction of el Teatro de Cristóbal Colón in Bogotá. The theater was first opened in 1892. Its Italian style of architecture mimicked those in other newly liberated territories such as Argentina and Mexico. The fashion would inspire the designs of later Colombian playhouses.20th Century Colombian Theater
Colombian theater flourished in the 1900s, as budding playwrights and theater enthusiasts began to organize. One of the most popular authors of this period was Luis Enrique Osorio, later referred to as “The Father of Colombian Theater.” He wrote over 40 plays in his lifetime and created several theater troupes such as the Compañía Dramática Nacional and the Compañía Bogotána de Comedias. As a connoisseur of comedy, Osorio would eventually construct a playhouse dedicated to the practice. El Teatro de la Comedia was built in 1952, a feat that would win Osorio the Jiménez de Quesada Prize in 1953. But before the widespread erection of Colombian playhouses came the arrival of television andContemporary Colombian Theater
Today, Colombian theater still embraces a culture of passion, freedom, and education. Many plays from Colombia’s earliest playwrights are still performed. Still, the room has been made on stage for young writers to touch on topics such as incarceration, identity, and immigration. This is possible, in large part, due to the now dozens of theatre organizations scattered from Colombia’s coasts to its jungles. Despite the impacts of COVID-19, organizations such as ANDE Asociación Nacional de Dirección Escénica have continued the tradition of theater festivals by hosting them online.Fun Facts
Theater in Colombia is informally known as "tablas" (woods) because of the wooden stages on which actors perform their plays.References
External links
See also
* Om Ki Reo Escena {{Authority control Theatre festivals in Colombia Theatre in Colombia Festivals in Bogotá