Bambalinas: A Digital Memory of Contemporary Street Theatre in Latin America

Project Title: Bambalinas: A Digital Memory of Contemporary Street Theatre in Latin America

Description: Digitization permits us to record ephemeral moments that would otherwise be lost to time. However, street performances, which often operate outside official venues and incorporate elements of spontaneity, remain difficult to preserve, and so frequently vanish, uncaptured. The website Bambalinas, which means “behind the scenes” in Spanish, unveils the cultural and historical relevance and unique artistry of Latin American street performance. Digital Initiatives, Scholarship, and Collaboration (DISC) supported Marcelo Carosi, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies, in creating a digital archive of video interviews with Latin American artists, playwrights, performers, some active since the 1970s. These videos, accompanied by photographs of the artists as well as bibliographies, link creators across time and countries, transforming the repository into a lively conversation on art and performance. Diverse perspectives on street theater are documented and organized by the archive, making original, authentic voices of the art form lastingly accessible to the public. 

Deliverables: Digital Archive

Date: 2019 - 2023