Mexican by birth, citizen of the world by conviction. My journey in the performing arts began at the age of 7. It was then that I discovered this wonderful world full of infinite expression, and found refuge from family situations that were difficult to face or understand.Ā Ā
Today, 30 years later, I am the co-founder and CEO of Casa Ivium, an independent cultural space in La Paz BCS, Mexico. Knowing that I am part of a community of art professionals who fight every day to share these tools that nourish and sensitize us as humans, leads me to seek collaborations with those who share in this titanic work. During Casa Ivium Ģs summer tour in the United States this year I was fortunate to be invited by Gabriela Garcia, co-founder and director of R.EvoluciĆ³n Latina (REVLAT) to volunteer for Dare 2 Go Beyond Summer Camp (D2GB) 2024.
This experience was exactly that, daring to go beyond. It confirmed what I have experienced over 15 years as an arts teacher: the positive effects that the arts have on the personal development of a human being are infinite, especially if started at an early age. This camp offers this and much more to its participants.
No hay casualidades, solo causalidades. (There are no coincidences, only causalities.) Dedicating yourself to art in Latin America is a heroic act and an immense challenge when artists decide to emigrate seeking greater visibility for our Latin community in the great art cities of the world, as is the case here: New York, the heart of musical theater; Broadway.
More of us in the room, the power phrase of this extraordinary REVLAT project, have worked together, tirelessly and with open hearts, to build an empowering community for Latinxs working on Broadway. While also working as agents of change, with the D2GB performing arts camp, giving the following generations the opportunity to enhance their skills, guiding them to reach for goals and objectives, encouraging them to always give their best, and generating international alliances between artists.
The D2GB 2024 camp was a revealing, enriching, valuable and immense experience. What I experienced here goes beyond my expectations. I was sharing with children and teens from different social and family contexts, with opposite personalities, each one with their own peculiarity and talent, and helping to show them that dreams, if worked on, do come true.
The first step in something new is always difficult, seeing the faces of those who were going to the camp for the first time, including me, was amazing. What we saw was this large family, with people full of love and talent, each one with a story to tell, ready to spend a week full of learning with a common goal: to strengthen our sense of belonging and be proud of our roots and language.
For a week the senses and emotions were on the surface. Always in a safe environment, where one could feel the affection, dedication, protection, understanding, tolerance, respect, humor, and above all else the love of art. Each of the team captains, volunteers, teachers, directors, administrators, operational team and the campers, were all united in a collective creative process. In which each person was fundamental to the creation of a performance that took what they learned that week and put it on stage.
It is always a delight to observe the learning processes. It was an immense challenge for the campers to adapt to each new teacher who enthusiastically came to share their knowledge, since everyone learns and teaches in their own way. Similarly, the teachers use various methods to achieve their objectives, making for a dance of ideas that take shape in teamwork.
Involving everyone in a stage presentation is the perfect pretext. In this way we simulate the functioning of a society and how important it is to collaborate in it. Projecting our personalities and respecting others. It is one more tool to empower the next generations, and prepare them for the maelstrom called life. What is strengthened here is the spirit, the talent, the desire to get ahead, to never give up, to always fight for your dreams. And this is enriched by REVLAT bringing professional artists working in large productions, including several Tony award-winners, which inspires everyone to know that the road is long and difficult, but not impossible.
Feeling that we are becoming part of a strong and passionate community that generates true change is an invaluable experience. Many times society wants to label and fragment us, but the reality is that projects like this unite us and show us once more that multiculturalism is present and is what makes us perfect.
Today, and always, I will be grateful for having this wonderful opportunity. I am so grateful to have met people with such immense hearts and with goals that empower us all. Thank you for daring to go beyond and to share memorable experiences like this.
I will see you next year.
#ElArteEsSaludSomosResistencia #ArtIsHealthWeAreTheResistence
Pam Galleg Oz
Volunteer D2GB Performing Arts Camp Summer 2024