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Teatro LATEA:  Who we are

BACKGROUND
Established in 1982 LATEA is one of New York�s premier and highly regarded Off-Off Broadway Latino theaters. It was founded and operates under the direction of two well-known professional stage, film and television actors who are committed to providing opportunities to New York�s emerging and professional artists, especially Latinos who would otherwise not have the resources or affordable physical facilities to exhibit their works and talents. As arts advocatesLATEA�s founders took the initiative of providing   much needed leadership to secure and safeguard the continued use of their city-owned property, a struggle that led to the creation of the Clemente Soto V�lez Cultural & Educational Center, where the theater is housed. 

Its Mission is to foster, preserve, promote and maintain the history, literature, cultural values and heritage of the Latin American people, including the Caribbean.  To educate North American audiences and the general public of the contributions made by Latinos and to demonstrate the universality of beliefs that bind us all together as universal human beings. It is of the philosophy that the arts should not be for nor by a privileged few, but available to working class people and men from all walks of life. 

ARTISTIC MISSION

  • Access to Latinos and others traditionally excluded from the enriching experience of the performing  arts.
  • A challenge to persistent negative portrayals of Latino Images.
  • Opportunities to epecially young Latino artists as writers, directors, visual and performing artists.
  • A socially responsible artistic environment where the arts are both integral and relevant to the life experiences of its multicultural audiences.

Welcome/Bienvenidos

LATEA's founding members Nelson Tamayo, Mateo Gomez, and Nelson Landrieu first saw the potential of this old but beautiful building in 1982; since then The Latin American Theater Experiment & Associates (from here referred to as LATEA which also means the torch) was born and has been the home of the artistic pursuit and dreams of many Latino and avant-garde theater artist in New York City.

 

 

Ask anyone how they feel about LATEA when they first walk into our space and they will tell you "I love this space!" 

It has a vibe that welcomes your spirit the moment you walk through the door.  That Spirit has been forged by the work of artist that year after year have walked through our doors with the desire to become proficient at their craft. Artist that have put their heart and soul into the work their productions.

 


Our theater stage has been home to quite an impressive list of artist here are just a few: Actor and Lawyer and Civil Rights activist Ilka Tanya Payan, Teatro Pregones,  Vaso de Leche, Caicedo Productions, Teatro SEA,  Soniadores Productions, Jaradoa Theater, Karate Kid The Musical, Academy Award nominee Jose Maria Rivera, Hola Award winning Playwright Candido Tirado, Obbie Award Winner Carmen Rivera, Director and Producer Cyn Rossi, Director Jessie Mojica, Author, Film Maker Jerry Rodriguez, Tony Nominee de' Adre Aziza, Dark Knight Star Monique Curnen, Daily News columnist and budding playwright Robert Dominguez, Executive Producer of Teatro Stage Fest Susana Tubert and  that's just to name a few.  The list is as long and as bright as the New York City Skylight.

  

DEMOGRAPHICS

We are based in the ever-changing Lower East Side (LES) of Manhattan. the area has a total population of 197,138. Latinos comprise 27% of the population, Asians 48%. The Lower East Side has a critical mass of low income people with moe that 23% living in poverty and with household median income of less than $26,00.

The dominant emigrants are still Latinos and Chinese, a change from the 1880's when the Lower East Side was the center of Jewish immigration life. Twenty-eight percent of the LES population is less than 25 years of age.

This is a look of our immediate area. It is important to note that LATEA's productions and programs serve the diverse New York city-wide community, targeting mostly the Puerto Rican/Latino group of people, increasingly integrating and adapting to demographic changes in our immediate neighborhood.

We serve an estimated 15,000 persons annually, an incremental increase based on last two years performance. Figures are based on services provided through theater performances & productions, including music & dance.