2009 Recipient

Teatro Visión is a Chicano theater company that celebrates culture, nurtures community and inspires vision. Their goal is to move people to feel, think and act to create a better world.

Originally named Teatro Huipil, Teatro Visión was founded in 1984 by members of Women in Teatro, a statewide network of Chicano theaters. Based in San José, California, they have produced over 54 plays attended by more than 107,000 people, with performances presented in both English and Spanish languages. Teatro Visión is proud to be playing a leading role in the evolution of Chicano/Latino Theater by presenting classics, newer works and world premieres by leading Latino playwrights.

As a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, Teatro Visión is the only Chicano/Latino theater company in the nation producing an annual season of plays in a 500-seat theater. Teatro Visión is the largest Resident Artist Partner (RAP) of the Mexican Heritage Plaza, a $35M performing/visual arts center and Smithsonian Center Affiliate located in San José’s historic Mayfair district.

Grounded by ideals initially shaped by El Teatro Campesino through its work with the United Farm Workers, Teatro Visión is passionately committed to the premise that art is a powerful tool for change. Teatro is an art form that can heal, inspire, promote identity and stimulate the self-empowerment necessary for people to become effective leaders in improving their lives and their communities.