HISTORY
The Latino Experimental Theatre Company (LETC) is a cultural organization whose Mission is to organize, develop and maintain a professional Multi Arts experimental theatre company that will produce works of art primarily in Spanish without restrictions of style, form or content.
The spirit and philosophy of LETC has been fifteen years in the making. In 1975 the Elgin Experimental Theatre Group was formed by Artistic Director, Miguel Lopez-Lemus. In 1984, after almost ten years of diverse performances of poetry, Lopez-Lemus received an invitation by the drama department of the Elgin Community College to direct and produce a play in Spanish. After five productions the theatre company made a decision to move to Chicago in 1987, where it could serve a much broader audience. LETC was born of the original Elgin-based group. LETC has been in residence at the Little Village Boys and gilrl's club, The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Casa Aztlan; Pulaski Park and Saint Augustine College.
The Latino culture, in all its ethnic diversity, does have a common language: Spanish. While Spanish-speaking authors, playwrights and poets have played an important role in the history of Latin America and Spain, their voices have rarely been heard in the United States. LETC's mission is a response to the shortage of profe-ssional theatre companies in Chicago producing experimental theatre primarily in Spanish. LETC is responding to a cry from Latinos in the United States as this community attempts to find a voice and a means of expression to reflect its unique reality. LETC believes that through the promotion of Latino art in general, and theatre in particular, improved intercultural communication and understanding will be achieved.
LETC has grown from a small community group to a small professional multi-disciplinary theatre company. Such growth is demonstrated by the amount of bookings, performances (an expansion of 300% over a period of three years) and recognition by city, government and cultural institutions through increased funding. LETC has gained financial support from museums, the city and state art councils, cultural centers, and community organizations.
LETC's programming reflects the importance of the promotion of a diverse
range of performance styles and techniques and the collaboration amongst
artists of diverse disciplines in the creation of an artistic language
within the Latino community of Chicago.
LETC offers a series of free bilingual multi-arts and drama workshops
for diverse levels and ages as part of its mission to train new talent
and to encourage the Latino community in using theatre as a form of artistic
expression.
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