Do It Go

A border town is a complex thing, where alliances and a history unease marks the local culture to make something that’s multiple and original. There’s nothing like it anywhere, and every border town is different, based on the cultural and regional histories that come from many directions. In El Paso, this is further complicated, or made more interesting, by the community in Las Cruces. They share some similarities, and many differences, but when the two converge in the best of possible worlds, they can share artistic space.

Those who are traveling in the area are always looking for the best of everything, the best taco, the hottest pepper, and the best hotels. El Paso can offer many possible bests for any of these, and the choices are absolutely delightful. Every choice here, in fact, brings one closer to the local culture, which is infinitely more complicated and fascinating than words could ever say. For theatre, there are lots of options, and some of the best are just across the border. It’s about 40 miles, give or take, and there are lots of ways to get there other than rental cars, because it’s a trek that many people make every day.

For anyone with a taste for the local and unusual, then, No-Strings Theatre in Las Cruces is the best thing going for miles. It began 10 years ago, by Ceil and Peter Hernan , who wanted to see interesting and provocative theatre, and found it missing in the area. They did what many people in such a predicament: they started their own.

What makes them unusual in the theatre community, however, is that they decided not to give up their day jobs to do it, and take a chance on struggling. The couple have teaching posts at the university, and this meant that they wouldn’t have to focus on raising funds, and instead put their attention toward making work without any strings attached (hence the name). They began with Ed Albee’s Seascape, an absurdist comedy-drama about a couple turning into seamonsters, and the cities have never been the same. It’s been a wonderful thing, too.

Related posts:

1. Delhi’s Asmita Theatre
2. Mid-Century is a Hot item in Las Vegas
3. Brattle Film Festival Celebrates Anniversary

Tags: ceil and peter hernan

This entry was posted on Monday, June 21st, 2010 at 3:21 am and is filed under Food and Drinks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.