A New Era with Louis Zapata's Acting Company

Artes de la Rosa Cultural Center for the Arts, in anticipation for its 2015 season has announced a change in its producing style. For its 2015 season, Artes de la Rosa will be attempting something different; something ground-breaking for the midsize organization. Later this month, Artes de la Rosa will be holding auditions for its first resident acting company

The Resident Acting Company is an essential component of the artistry and uniqueness of Artes de la Rosa’s 2015 season. The need for this ensemble enhances the work of the company through its ability to continue to develop complex and ambitious productions over time; plan seasons to utilize the unique strengths of an ensemble of actors; and undertake large cast productions on a regular basis, consistently achieving inspired performances with its actors in both large and small roles.

“It was important to name the company after Mr. Louis Zapata,” says Adolfo. “In

Artistic Director announcing the formation of the Louis Zapata
Resident Acting Company at the Community Memorial Service
Artes de la Rosa held at the Rose Marine Theater.

many ways, ‘Big Lou’, as he was known to his friends, is the father of The Rose Marine Theater, the home and creative heart of Fort Worth’s Northside community.”  Mr. Zapata was the first Latino elected to City Council and helped spearhead the renovation of the Historic Rose Marine Theater. His fierce commitment to the Rose Marine continued till the end of his life this past April where he made a friend promise that “nothing would happen to the theater.” Mr. Zapata passed away shortly following that promise and to honor his many contributions Artistic Director Adam Adolfo named the Resident Acting Company in his honor.

Those selected for the resident company will receive perks such as new headshots, training and workshops, and paid rehearsals. Artes de la Rosa previously only paid small stipends for performances. Adolfo explained that the Latino arts organization is celebrating its 12th year of producing seasons. "This is just a new model for our theatre interests. In many ways it is a big experiment that we owe to ourselves and our patrons. We have to see if this model will help us to continue to dream big and conquer new artistic ambitions."

 

Adam Adolfo took time out for a short interview to discuss how these changes will affect artists who work on the Rose Marine Theater Stage.

 

What does all this change mean for Artes?

Michael Alonzo Diego with Rebekah Ruiz
& Austin Ray Beck in Artes de la Rosa's
production of Romeo & Juliet!

Adam Adolfo: Artes will be presenting 3 shows in its 2015 season. Each show will have its own audition date approximately 8 weeks prior to the show dates. However, before any of that, ARTS will have auditions to be in the resident acting company. At these auditions, you will need to prepare a 2 monologues (one contemporary, one classical – Shakespeare or Marlowe preferred), 32 bars of a song, and have an interview with the resident directors for the season including Artistic Director Adam Adolfo, Music Director Kristin Spires, and Choreographer Maegan Marie Stewart. Each audition will take approximately 15 minutes. Those interested in auditioning should email info@artesdelarosa.org or call 817-624-8333to get a timeslot reserved on either available audition day. A secondary dance call will be requested for some.

What happens next?

Adam Adolfo: What happens is what always happens - actors 'wait' to find out. LOL. After the audition and interview days are over, the directors will meet to discuss all applicants, and offers will be made to those we would like to see in the resident company.

“Offers”? What’s the heck is that?

Adam Adolfo: Resident actors will be guaranteed three (3) roles in the season.

What else do I get if I’m a company member?

Adam Adolfo: Not only do you get to work on all shows for the season, but there is a

Claudia Acosta as Kate in a production
photo of The Taming of the Shrew

financial perk. For the first time, Artes de la Rosa will being paying for rehearsal time in addition to performances.

What else do actors in the resident company get?

Adam Adolfo: All members of the Louis Zapata Resident Acting company will receive free admittance to any Artes de la Rosa event for his or her year in residence. Company members will have a featured profile on the Artes de la Rosa website, Facebook page, Instagram and in the lobby of Artes de la Rosa for his or her year in residence. As an added bonus, members of the resident acting company will also receive discount show shirts for all of the productions they are involved in, as well as a free Resident Acting Company shirt.

What kind of commitments are we talking about for these actors?

Adam Adolfo: Well in additional to the three shows they are cast in, some company members will be asked to perform at gallery events, fundraisers, and serve as an ambassador for the organization at public events when opportunities arise.

If an actor is not cast in the company, can I still audition for individual shows? Will there be roles left?

Adam Adolfo: Absolutely and absolutely. The goal of the company is to have people dedicated to Artes de la Rosa for a year’s time, while offering them something in return for their time and talents. All roles not filled by resident acting company members will be available to the public at large. That being said, we are going to be casting our first two shows at the same time this year. Following a "Season Audition" model, just so we can lock in our talent. 

Emily Kate Hardy in Artes de la Rosa's
Kiss of the Spiderwoman!

So what if I don’t like the offer I’m given?

Adam Adolfo: The Artes de la Rosa staff will only make one offer. If you don’t like what is offered - no harm, no foul. We thank you for your time, wish you well and hope to see you at the auditions for each show as they arrive.

It's important to remember, the company auditions are for all 3 shows in the Artes de la Rosa season. The offers will be made after consideration of conflicts, your audition and your interview. The directors will create your offer based on how you can best serve the Artes de la Rosa season. As previously stated, you will be offered 3 roles. If you turn down the offer, you would be turning down not only that, but also the rest of the benefits of being a company member.

If I'm a company member, can I still audition for other shows at other theatres?

Adam Adolfo: Of course you can! In fact we want our company members to! They get to be our ambassadors - as long as they don't conflict with your responsibilities at Artes de la Rosa.

Who was Louis Zapata?

Adam Adolfo: Oh my! "Big Lou!" - well that's what his friends called him - in many ways,

Louis Zapata photographed in the Rose Marine Theater
auditorium which bears his name.

Louis Zapata is the father of The Rose Marine Theater, the home and creative heart of Fort Worth’s Northside community. Mr. Zapata was the first Latino elected to City Council and helped spearhead the renovation of the Historic Rose Marine Theater. His fierce commitment to the Rose Marine Theater continued till the end of his life where he made a friend promise that “nothing would happen to the theater.” Mr. Zapata passed away shortly following that promise and to honor his many contributions Artistic Director Adam Adolfo named the Resident Acting Company in his honor.

Why is Artes de la Rosa doing this?

Adam Adolfo: We believe that to be a true resource for DFW, that we must aspire to something greater. By having a resident acting company, Artes de la Rosa continues to grow, forming a community of talented, dedicated, hard-working artisans, striving for the best possible theatre we can create. Together.

This is the first big step. We realize it can sound daunting, but we hope, more than anything, that is sounds exciting. We hope that you want to join us on the ground floor. This is the first of many seasons at Artes.

Press Photo for Artes de la Rosa's IN THE HEIGHTS