Fronteras americanas guillermo verdecchia artist note: Jim Warren In January 1992, my friend Guillermo Verdecchia asked me to direct a play he had written entitled Fronteras Americanas. I asked him, “Why me? Aren’t there more experienced directors you’d rather work with? Someone who speaks Spanish perhaps?” He assured me I was the person he wanted. In January of 1993, Fronteras Americanas premiered at the Tarragon Extra Space. As the director, I went backstage just before the opening performance to wish my friend well and found Guillermo there, white as a sheet. He asked me, “What was I thinking? Who wants to listen to me go on for two hours?” I assured him many people would, and many have since that first performance. We were asked to continue our journey with this play at the Festival des Ameriques in Montreal, the Tarragon Main Space, the Manitoba Theatre Centre and, finally, at the Vancouver Playhouse in January 1995. Sixteen years later, Albert asked us to do a revival here at Soulpepper. Guillermo and I asked each other, “Is the play still relevant? Does it have something to say to an audience today?” After re-reading the play we were reassured that this story speaks as powerfully today as it did almost 20 years ago. To re-create this play with Guillermo (actor, playwright and dear friend) and to have Glenn Davidson (who designed the original production) along with new creative voices Richard Feren, Jamie Nesbitt and Ken MacKenzie as well as the production team at Soulpepper has truly been a gift. As we travel toward opening, Fronteras Americanas continues to be my most memorable and personally rewarding theatrical journey. This story speaks to anyone who has ever questioned where they belong. It speaks with heart, humour and honesty. This play offers a conversation that provokes, entertains and recognizes the courage and vulnerability in the struggle. A conversation that points towards the future. Welcome to “La Frontera,” “and let the dancing begin.”
Jim Warren, Director of Fronteras Americanas