Touchstone Theatre kicked off its third Festival UnBound with the profoundly moving "The Frontera Project" at the Charles A. Brown Ice House in Bethlehem.
The bilingual, interactive performance that looks at the stories of the people who live along the Mexican/American border is the first presentation of Touchstones five-day celebration of visual arts, music, dance, original theater and community dialogue that runs through Oct. 3 at venues throughout Bethlehem.
The performance is the world premier of the piece which effectively used many different theatrical styles to engage in conversations about the border and the connections of the people who live on either side.
"The Frontera Project" is presented by members of Tijuana Hace Teatro, a small theater company from Tijuana, the Mexican city that shares 15 miles with San Diego I California. It is one of the busiest land-border crossings in the world.
The five company members touchingly share their own stories of crossing the border and talk about the different ways those crossing the border are treated based on whether they have American citizenship or Mexican citizenship. They are combined with other stories of life at the border told with passion on a spare stage.
Jessica Bauman, one of the directors, wanted to show that the border is more than just a crossing, but instead represents a thriving hybrid culture of people on both sides with deep connections to the other side. People, which includes the company members, cross the border to go to work, go to school and visit people they love on the other side and feel a strong connection to both sides. She is joined in directing by Ramon Verdugo, artistic director of Tijuana Hace Teatro.
The stories resonate and are presented in evocative ways.
In one scene, Lou Best expressively sings, while Valeria Vega-Kurl speaks in Spanish, Jesus Quintero translates, Christobal Dearie keeps the beat on a cajon box drum and Jassiel Santillan dances.
In another, Santillan plays guitar and recites a poem, while the rest of the company poignantly move in front of a projected image of the ocean. Santillan also wrote all the original music.Most heartbreaking is a story of a homeless shelter where a young man played by Quintero has his life turned around by a caring volunteer played by Best, and whom he begins to refer to as mom. It ends tragically when he is killed trying to help another homeless person.
In another unsettling story, Santillan plays a young man trying to cross the border, but whose backpack is destroyed when it is found he has inadvertently packed a banana. He ultimately denied entry because his papers also have been destroyed.
The audience is invited to participate first by writing on the floor before the show words responding to the prompt "The Border is¦."
Later company members create a banner painted with butterflies and adorned with words called out by the audience describing their response to the stories thus far.
Butterflies and whales, animals that both rely on migration, are repeatedly invoked throughout the show.
Some anger also is evident in a scene in which company members talk about the "American invasion of Mexico," (more commonly known in the United States as the Mexican-American War), in which Mexico lost land that now includes California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.
But ultimately the performance is about connection and succeeded in its goal of showing different people from different places coming together
Festival UnBound continues at 7 p.m. Sept. 30, with "East Meets West: An Evening of Indian Dance" at Touchstones outdoor Barrio Stage, 321 East 4th St., Bethlehem.
Other events include "Bombazo" a celebration of Latinx culture at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Barrio Stage; "Mending the Food Chain" a morning of performance and conversation about issues with the food chain, at 10 a.m. Oct. 2 at Esperanza Garden on the South Bethlehem Greenway between Taylor and Webster streets; "(re)Making Our World," which includes art inspired by the intersectional disability arts movement. from 1 to 4 p.m., Oct. 2, at Charles A. Brown Ice House, 56 River St., Bethlehem; and
"Homecoming: Black Women Speak" at 5 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Barrio Stage.
There will be a "Devotional Gathering" for those of any religion, or no religion, featuring poetry, music, and words of gratitude at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Barrio Stage.
The festivals "Closing Celebration" will feature conversations with local farmers, organizers, and others about what is sustainable; community singers; and a closing processional to the river at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 on Sand Island Park 56 River St., Bethlehem.
Throughout the festival, there will be a community art project led by festival artist in residence Anne Labovitz, who will guide audience members through the creation of squares for a Community Quilt, inspired by the prompt of "What are you grateful for'" After being unveiled at the closing ceremony, the quilt will remain in the permanent collection of Touchstone Theater for future display and celebrations.
During the festival, there will be a noon-time series at Cafe the Lodge, for deeper discussion of festival themes, with conversations over a meal, moderated by Moravian University professor and Touchstotne Ensemble member Christopher Shorr. The discussions are noon through Oct. 1 at Café the Lodge, 427 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem.
All events are free, however reservations are encouraged. Donations are accepted.
For information, go to www.touchstone.org/festival-unbound.