Teatro SEA Artistic Director Dr. Manuel A. Morán Discuss Theatre, New Show "The Glory: A Latin Cabaret"

La Gloria, A Latin Cabaret

Teatro SEA (Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.) was established on New York’s Lower East Side in 1985 by Artistic Director Dr. Manuel A. Morán. The theatre is currently celebrating its milestone 30th Anniversary Season, and MOME spoke to Dr. Morán to hear more about their current production of LA GLORIA, A LATIN CABARET, celebrating its world premiere opening during Teatro Fest NY 2015, and closing December 6th.

MOME: Can you give us some background on Teatro SEA?
Dr. Morán: Established in 1985, Teatro SEA is the premiere Bilingual Arts-in-Education Organization and Latino Children’s Theatre in the United States. SEA has created and produced a combination of educational theatre productions and art workshops/programs specifically designed to examine, challenge and create possible solutions for current educational, social and community issues.

MOME: We’ve heard a lot of buzz surrounding your upcoming production opening during Teatro Fest NY 2015
Dr. Morán: La Gloria, A Latin Cabaret, part of our Adult Series, celebrates its world premiere with a run and will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 13 – Dec. 6 at the home-base theater, Teatro SEA, on the Lower East Side. The musical revue honors the late legendary superstars of Latin Cabaret from the Caribbean, including La Sonora Matancera, Myrta Silva, Daniel Santos, and Celia Cruz. Brought to life by a live orchestra, singers, puppets and a little celestial magic, this show will be a big hit here and in heaven!

MOME: This is part of an important collaboration that benefits a cause. Can you tell us more?
Dr. Morán: The production is in collaboration with Cuba’s internationally acclaimed company Teatro de las Estaciones, and associate producers John "Gungie" Rivera and Richard Marino. A portion of ticket proceeds will go to benefit the Cristian Rivera Foundation, whose mission is to help find a cure for the Pontine Giloma brain stem tumor, which affects children 1 to 9 years old.

MOME: In your opinion, what is the significance of Teatro Fest NY?
Dr. Morán: There is no other Latino theatre festival in New York City that I know of. Several attempts have been made in the past, but have disappeared. For nearly 50 years, a Latino theater movement has been alive in New York City. We wanted to create something where our seven theatres came together to showcase the rich cultural traditions and great variety of quality productions and programming for Latinos and non-Latinos audiences. Teatro Fest NY is not just one more festival; it is a necessary and relevant event reflecting the great diversity within theatre community.