The theater is much more than entertainment. For Mino Lora, it is an act of resistance, identity and community. As the founder of The People’s Theater Project (PTP), she has dedicated her life to open spaces for immigrants in the New York artistic scene.
This April, its most recent project, The Domino Effect, reaches the stage with a deeply human history about immigration, generational diversity and LGBTQ+community. With a multicultural cast and a powerful narrative, the work reminds us that the dialogue between generations is key to change.
Under the direction of Mino Lora, this story explores the intersection of marginalized generations, identities and communities in a domino game that becomes a symbol of connection and belonging.
“Despite our differences, we have to be united for everyone’s progress,” says Lora.
With the premiere of The Domino Effect, Lora talks with news NY about his vision and his commitment to art as an agent of change. The work will be on the billboard from April 4 to 20 in Art/New York Theatres.
A theater for the community
You founded People’s Theater Project to amplify the voices of immigrants. What motivated you to take that step and how has the company evolved since its creation?
I realized that in Washington Heights, such an Latin community, the theater was not so accessible. There was no theater, and there is still no. We are in the process of opening the first theater and creating a space where we can tell our stories from our point of view. We have a lot to say.
People’s Theater Project underwent a brand and name change. Can you give us an advance of what is coming and why this change occurs at this time?
We have more than five years working on this project for the construction and collection of funds to bring the first immigrant cultural center to Alto Manhattan. It is the first in the city and the state of New York. It already opens its doors next year and is going to be called The People’s Theater. This name change is in advance of the opening to ensure that the New York immigrant community knows that we are here for them. Our president of the Board of Directors said we are changing the name because we have been a project for 16 years, but the project itself has an end point. The town theater is forever.
The Domino Effect: a reflection of reality
What attracted you to The Domino Effect and why do you feel that this work is so urgent at this time?
The work is two years old and began with the interest of seeing how many young people do not have vocabulary or the ability to talk about their identity as gay, bisexual, or different, in racial or gender terms with their parents or greater generations. It is necessary to have a conversation about these taboo issues. We cannot be afraid to connect with others, and that leads us to what is happening now. It is important to listen and bring all our family to these conversations about how we move on. Despite our differences, we have to be united for everyone’s progress.
The work intertwines the experiences of immigrants, people LGBTQ+ and different generations. What do you expect the public to take these narratives crosslinked?
The first thing I hope will take is hope, because we need it. Hope that we will be fine. The importance of talking, having dialogue and trying to understand the point of view of others.
The domino game is a central element in history. What makes it such a powerful metaphor for the topics of the work?
The playwright Marco Antonio Rodríguez was the one who brought the idea. In many Latin cultures it is common to see play dominoes. It is not just a metaphor, it is something cultural where the grandfather plays with the child. It is one of the few moments where different generations have conversations. As Bad Bunny says in a song, “I with my grandfather playing dominoes.” We are also using it as a metaphor, because within this game, many things happen. And for that you have to go see the work.
A personal and collective commitment
Your work often reflects your own experiences as an immigrant Dominican. How The Domino Effect feels personal for you?
In so many ways. First, I am the mother of two Dominican children, raising here in New York and I want them to know that their voice is important. We are an organization not only multilingual, but multigenerational, and we have programs for all ages.
For those who want to see The Domino Effect, where can they get tickets and there are community programs that do the most accessible work?
At www.peoplestheatreproject.org. We will have several nights where tickets will be cheaper, as well as discount codes for older adults and students. Also, if teachers want to bring their students, they can contact us to obtain a special code and do the work even more accessible. We want our community to come to see this work and go out with more hope for the future.
