Hispanic Culture Celebrated at Tibbits

COLDWATER –Students and families will experience the thrill of live theatre as Magical Rain Theatreworks presents, “Palabras Luminosas” on March 30 as part of Tibbits’ series of educational programming for area schools.  The program takes place at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets for the public are available at the door for $2.

“Palabras Luminosas” is a collection of stories from throughout the Americas which celebrates Latino language, laughter and lore.  The performance mixes comedy, folk wisdom, and new perspectives that will make audiences laugh and think. Some examples of stories that will be shared at the presentation include: The World’s Shortest Ghost Story, The Old Man, The Dog and the Burro, Giant Masks, and Child of the Sun.

Magical Rain Thetareworks is based in Kalamazoo and was created by Irene (Ike) Vasquez, Ph.D. and Dan Runyan, who write, design, perform, teach, direct and produce. Ike and Dan are a husband and wife team, and on many tours are accompanied by their son and performing apprentice Benito.

The team draws upon methods from theater and art while adding in-depth dialogue, cultural analysis and personal reflections to their productions. The result is an encounter with mystery, energy, and ways of knowing, being and performing that is engaging for all who participate.

Asama Coldwater Manufacturing has teamed with Tibbits to help the theatre present its school performance series. Additional programming includes a presentation of “Once Upon a Time,” on April 13 and Storyteller, Rosie Chapman on May 17.  High school students will have a chance to see their English lesson come to life on May 24, as Michigan Shakespeare Festival presents “Romeo and Juliet.”

Through the support of Asama Tibbits is able to provide the performances for the schools at a greatly reduced fee.  By the end of the series over 3000 students will have been reached including every grade through ninth in the Coldwater school district.

For more information, or to schedule a group to the performance, contact Tibbits at 517-278-6029.