VIDA: Group brings life to language learning in show

Though theater performances are common on a college campus, Grupo de Teatro VIDA performances are different from the typical show — they’re not in English.
Formed in 2006, the group annually performs plays in Spanish.

Thursday marked the debut of this year’s performance, “Relaciones” at the Bloomington Playwright’s Project.

The show is composed of four one-act plays. Performances will continue throughout the weekend at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the BPP.

Marda Rose, a doctoral student in linguistics, started the Bloomington theater group. Her decision to start the group coincides with her academic aspirations and affinity for theater. 

“Indiana University was the only school I applied to for my Ph.D. that didn’t have a program in place that allowed students to do theater in Spanish,” Rose said.

With the hope of filling that void and motivating Spanish students in a creative way, she created VIDA. Rose said most of those involved with the group share a love for language and theater and grow through their experiences, even to the point of switching their majors to Spanish.

Education stands as one of the cornerstones of the group. Language learning and theater are very connected, Rose said, and teaching about language while directing often requires a hands-on approach.

Professor Catherine Larson, chairwoman of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and faculty adviser for VIDA, said she values Rose’s strategy of learning
by doing. 

“It involves undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in actively using Spanish in context and enriches their experience with the language and cultures of the Hispanic world,” Larson said.

This aspect of practicing in a theatrical environment sparked the interest of freshman Bree Storey, who has been studying Spanish for six years. After hearing about the group in her Spanish class, she decided to give it a try. Storey said participating in VIDA has exponentially helped her pronunciation.

Another aspect of VIDA Rose said she prioritizes is cultural outreach. Continued performance has led VIDA to gain enough of a reputation that its outreach efforts will now extend beyond the Bloomington community.

“Relaciones” is the first VIDA production to be hitting the road, a milestone for the group in Rose’s eyes. The production will be on stage at the IndyFringe Theatre in Indianapolis at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30.

Despite the language barrier, the performances are rich with entertainment and what Rose calls “meaningful communication.” Theater provides a way of communicating thoughts, feelings and ideas with others, Rose said, and Spanish performance encourages cultural education.

Larson said Rose’s experience, expertise and guidance have been invaluable to the group’s efforts. It is the combination of Rose’s love of language and of the stage that make the group successful.

Ivy Howell, fellow Ph.D. student and director of one of the plays in “Relaciones,” said Rose’s capability to be involved in all aspects of the production is incredible, and her presence is fundamental to VIDA.

This passion and dedication is present in the name of the group itself: VIDA. While the letters create the acronym for Vision, Identity, Drama and Art, to Rose there is further meaning. 

“VIDA means life. And life is at the heart of theater and at the heart of everything we do,” she said.