The U.S. pemiere of Saida Santana Mahmut’s play La Indiana, a name that alludes to the cultural legacy emanating from the frequent trips made by so many across the Atlantic, from the Canary Islands to Cuba and back. Starring Ms. Santana herself, the plot revolves around Antonia, the playwright’s great-grandmother, a woman from Canarias who emigrates to Cuba at the turn of the 20th century (1905). After many years in Cuba, she becomes a widow and decides to return to Gran Canaria with her five children, earning the name of “La Indiana”, a nickname that was usually reserved for men. Antonia is the inspiration for a story that aims to capture a pivotal time during the Canarian migration to Cuba at the beginning of the last century, when many stood astride a cross-cultural junction, and later opted to return to the Canary Islands.
Written and directed by Ms. Santana, the play is being fully staged for the first time in the United States. It will be followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Additional Credits:
– Light design by Paulina Gálvez
– Music and sound design by Vicente Sanz de León
– Acting coach: Fernando Calzadilla
– Background research: Juan Santana Alemán
This theatrical event is part of our Language Access Series on Cuban History, Art, and Literature.
It will be presented in Spanish.
INSTITUTO CERVANTES
211 East 49th Street, bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves., NYC
FREE ADMISSION for CCCNY and IC Members
RSVP at: info@cubanculturalcenter.org
All attendees must be fully vaccinated and wear masks in the auditorium.
[Photo above by Ángel Medina G.]
Saida Santana Mahmut is an award-winning performer
whose career spans the theater, cinema, and television.
In recent years her work has revolved around the search
for identity through various creative endeavors. For her, acting,
screenwriting, directing, coaching, and teaching are sides of a
common polyhedron. Ms. Santana Mahmut has a Masters in Coaching from Universidad Camilo José Cela, with a major in Psychodrama, and a Ph.D. from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, where she also received a Master’s degree in Dramatic Arts.
Oceanic trajectory between the Canary Islands and Cuba:
The following verses, by the poet Francisco Javier Viamontes Correa,
reveal the indeleble ties between Cuba and Canarias:
Canarias, cuando te llamo Del Sinsonte al Tocororo,
Me llegas en un suspiro, Del Tomeguín al Canario
Miro alrededor y admiro Va el mensaje solidario
Tu vigencia en mi reclamo. Hasta la tierra que adoro.
Tierra lejana que amo De mi cedro al sicomoro
Como a mi Cuba querida, Al vaivén de la palmera,
La nostalgia es una herida Canarias, si yo pudiera
Abierta en la lejanía… En mi décima abrazarte
Por su estoica geografía Y desde Cuba cantarte,
Cuba a Canarias unida. ¡No sabes cuánto quisiera!
This event is co-sponsored by Instituto Cervantes
And is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
With the promotional cooperation of
and
