Hero Theatre's Nuestro Planeta: Columbia

Photo taken by Aaron Gallegos.

WE'VE GONE GLOBAL

Nuestro Planeta is rooted in research around ecological concerns in Latine countries and the U.S. and how Latine American families are directly affected.

giving back

HERO is committed to serving local communities, artists, and cultural practitioners globally. As part of our core values, we give back by bringing free plays and theater workshops to children, youth, and adults in the countries we research. We use theater as a tool to educate them about the economic, political, cultural, social, and socio-environmental issues that affect them, and as a tool for artistic expression.

Proyecto Páramos, Páramo de Pisba
Artistic Director Elisa Bocanegra traveled to the areas surrounding Páramo de Pisba in Colombia to continue working with local community members on an original, educational play that they've devised. We're currently in rehearsals! The community members of the Páramo de Pisba are water rights activists of all ages and advocates for the preservation of the Páramo ecosystem, which supplies almost 80% of Colombia’s water.

And What Do Wetlands Have to Do With The Rest of the World?
Producing Artistic Director Elisa Bocanegra was commissioned by Instituto Humboldt, Colombia’s leading biodiversity research center, to write a play. It was called "And What Do Wetlands Have to Do With The Rest of the World." It was presented at a wetlands convention held by Instituto Humboldt in the Aburrá Valley of Colombia, and also directed by Elisa.

The Bear Anteater’s Deep, Deep Pain
(El Oso Hormiguero y Su Profundo,
Profundo Dolor), Acacías Meta
As part of her Fulbright research, our Artistic Director was in residence at Acacías Meta, Colombia with Instituto Humboldt. She devised a play with local community members about the endemic species in this region and the ongoing climate crisis that is deeply affecting this area.

Personal Stories through Writing and Nature
(Historias Personales a través de la Escritura y la Naturaleza)
Artistic Director Elisa Bocanegra created and led this workshop for female biomonitors in Acacías Meta.

LUZMI

Just closed in Los Angeles and being presented in Bogotá, Colombia next!

Nuestro Planeta: COLOMBIA:
LUZMI
Written by Diana Burbano
Devised & directed by Elisa Bocanegra

LUZMI cast from the 2024 L.A. production.

Based on two and a half years of research with Fulbright Colombia and Colombia's Instituto Humboldt, Luzmi educates audiences about the rich biodiversity of Colombia and the environmental injustices indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest face.

"The play walks the fine line between entertainment
and education with confidence and clarity."
- Guy Picot, Gia On The Move

"So much is at stake right now in this part of the Amazon rainforest and I believe
that the play captures it well."
- Jim Gilles, The Hollywood Times

"'Luzmi’ illuminates the environmental crisis in Latin America."
- Eric A. Gordon, People's World

"Director (and devisor) Elisa Bocanegra keeps the story moving forward
with pace and tension, while making room for some lovely stage pictures."
- Guy Picot, Gia On The Move

Photos from our workshop of Nuestro Planeta: COLOMBIA at New York Stage and Film!
L to R: 1. Camila Cano-Flaviá and Maki Borden; 2. Sheila Tapia and Maki Borden.
Photos by Buck Lewis.

meet the artists

HERO Theatre also provides employment to local artists of the countries we research, as a way of giving back.

Andrés Felipe Jiménez Quintero has been a park ranger in the Amazon rainforest, which led to a flourishing career as a botanist and an ornithologist. His work has been published in the Smithsonian magazine, American Theatre magazine, and venues throughout Colombia. He has served as a researcher for Grupo Sinchi (a biodiversity research institute rooted in the Amazon). He is currently in residence at HERO Theatre and served as an artist in Nuestro Planeta: MEXICO, Bahía Kino, and is currently working on our project in the Páramos mountains of Colombia with HERO founder Elisa Bocanegra.

WEBSITE

Ana Lucia Forero is a notable Colombian environmental artist. She was introduced to the world of costume design for theatre by working with HERO on our project in the Páramos mountains of Colombia with HERO founder Elisa Bocanegra.

WEBSITE