Kula Karma Project: Theatre Workshop
The Kula Collective supports the communities of the beautiful Guatemalan lake many of us call home: Atitlán. Through supporting various projects, we use our funds and resources toward building a better future for the residents in this area.
In 2019, we began funding steps towards a full-time local school for Art in San Marcos that will provide local youth an outlet for their creativity, as well as a potential income source - something sorely needed in this area.
In order to develop a sustainable and culturally relevant program, we first coordinated two theater workshops as a pilot. We collaborated with local artist and activist David Sacach and national community theater director Victor Barillas - Artistic Director of Grupo Sotz'il). During the two 8 hour sessions, local youth participants used theatrical tools to explore how to express emotions and ideas through movement and narrative. This pilot project was designed to help us better understand the interests of local youth and the viability of a six month semester of twice weekly theater classes, culminating in an original production in June.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Nearly 20 indigenous and international youth from five lake communities participated. The course generated deep introspection and interest in continuing.
From this success, we are creating a crowd-funding campaign to continue the funding of this program. The campaign will offer opportunities to get to know the participants, as well as live-streaming of the public presentations of their work.
As part of the teatrical process, participants in this school will learn acting, dance, vocalization, narrative construction, the creation and use of traditional instruments, research skills into ancestral heritage as well as the creation of masks, props, scenery and other supporting art.
We dream of a day when San Marcos and Lake Atitlán will be known for its contemporary artists with a deep appreciation and adaptation of their own experiences and values, as well as the traditional cultural heritage of this land. We believe this workshop was an important step in creating a plan to get there. Won't you help us make it a reality?
Stay tuned for all the ways you can support!
Zachary Townesmith (RYT 200hr) is a passionate connector. His innate creativity, flexible perspective, and quick smile make him a natural leader, inspiring participation and thoughtful consensus in the wide array of groups he works with. He has dedicated his life to the study and development of intercultural relations and the facilitation of innovative solutions for sustainable well-being.
His Cum Laude B.A. from Harvard College led him to explore issues of privilege and work for justice from his hometown of Philadelphia to the Guatemala City garbage dump. This work has taken him throughout the Americas engaging diverse stakeholders in strategic planning through the development of creative and critical thinking in fields such as education, public health, business, creative industries, and entrepreneurship.
Learn more about Zach and his offerings here.