The Nichos Project

Esperanza Arts Center / Nueva Esperanza

Director and writer Tanaquil Márquez leads students during the first Nichos community workshop. — Director and writer Tanaquil Márquez leads students during the first *Nichos* community workshop. Photo by Ximena Violante.

Tanaquil Márquez and Ximena Violante posing in front of the Moon pyramid at Teotihuacán Mexico during the Nichos artistic team’s research trip. Photo by Ximena Violante.

Recipient

Grant Year 2022

Grant Amount $275,244

Status Completed

Updated November 14, 2024

A music theater work traverses Mexico’s long history and contemplates national identity after centuries of conquest, colonization, and cultural transformation. Nichos is developed by bilingual theater director and writer Tanaquil Márquez and composer and musician Ximena Violante with the band Ampersan. Their collaboration with local Mexican community members culminates in a performance with both historical and fantastical elements that collectively examine the challenges of preserving languages and cultural traditions. The performance is staged within a large-scale nicho—a type of Mexican folk art that typically takes the form of a small, decorative shadow box—designed and built by muralist Calo Rosa.

Visit the Nichos project webpage.

The total grant amount represents project funding plus an additional 20% in unrestricted general operating support.

Primary EventsEvents & Exhibitions

Promotional poster for Nichos at Esperanza Art Center.

Nichos World Premiere

Oct 17–27, 2024
Teatro Esperanza
Esperanza Arts Center
4261 North 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140

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Recipient

Esperanza Arts Center / Nueva Esperanza

Esperanza is a multi-service education and community economic development organization in support of the North Philadelphia community, offering bilingual services in areas including housing, education, job training, and accessibility. It operates the Esperanza Arts Center, which presents music, dance, theater, and cinema from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as a broad spectrum of traditions from around the world.

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