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Haley Clark Thea 2000 Dr. Richmond March 31, 2017

Peruvian Yuyachkani Theatre

Having taken Spanish for most of my life, I was immediately inclined to research Latin American theatre forms. While we have studied Indian and Asian theatre forms in class, such as Noh and Kabuki, we have yet to explore the vast world that is Latin American theatre. Although “Theatrical Worlds” highlighted theatre in several Central American and Latin American countries like Mexico and Argentina, they failed to mention any specificities about Theatre in Peru. I decided to take a closer look at theatre in Peru, and what I found was fascinating.

Peru’s most coveted theatre “collective” is called Grupo Cultural Yuyachkani or “Yuyachkani” for short. Yuyachkani is a word in Quechua meaning, “I am thinking, I am remembering;” If the word "Yuyachknai" doesn't leave one intrigued, then the english translation of it sure will. The collective got their start in 1971 at the beginning of the experimental theatre era. Little did I know, while political unrest was influencing theatre in the 70’s in the United States, Peru was also experiencing their own bout of governmental anguish. It is no surprise that the collective, Yuyachkani, centers around political, ethnic, and social issues in their performances; Yuyachkaniis a perfect example of Agitprop theatre in Peru. Their pieces are always central to current events and thrive off of controversy. The collective is made up 7 actors, Amiel Cayo, Augusto Casafrance, Ana Correa, Debora Correa, Rebeca Ralli, Teresa Ralli, and Julian Vargas, a technical designer, Fidel Melquiades, and an artistic director, Miguel Rubio, who have all been with the group from the very begging and are dedicated to making theatre, not a hobby, but a lifestyle. Over the years they have received many merits, such as Peru’s National Human Rights Award in 2000 for their support of their culture. They have been referred to as Latin America’s “New Popular Theatre,” as they continue to perform traditional indigenous forms of theatre while simultaneously drawing influence from modern styles of performance. Yuyachkani is known for their use of masks in the majority of their performance, rhythm, selective voice usage, and other distinct forms of physical theatre. Performing all over the world, the famed Yuyachkani collective of Peru takes the stage to provide a voice for those who are silenced and spread awareness of social, political, and ethnic issues that their nation has been plagued with.

[|Video Yayachkani]