Theaters

Theater in Costa Rica

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Theaters in Costa Rica: if you click on top of the name of each theater, the link will take you to a page dedicated to your selection, with information, location, GPS coordinates, address maps, phone numbers, schedule, website, photos.

Theaters in San José:

National Theater, 2nd Avenue, 3rd and 5th St., San José. Phone: +506 2221-5341
Melico Salazar Theater, 2nd Avenue, Central and 2nd St., San José. Phone: +506 2233-5172
National Auditorium, Children’s Museum in San José. Phone: +506 2222-7647
Oscar Fessler Theater (National Theater Workshop), in Barrio Escalante, San José. Phone: +506 2221-1273
Arlequín Theater, Central and 2nd Avenue, 13 St., San José. Phone: +506 2221-5485
Chaplin Theater, 12th Avenue, 11th and 13 St., San José. Phone: +506 2221-0812
Del Ángel Theater, Central Avenue, 13th and 15 St., San José. Phone: +506 2222-8258
De la Danza Theater, 3rd and 7th Avenue, 11th St., San José. Phone: +506 2222-2974
El Triciclo Theater, 8th and 10th Avenue, 15th St., San Jose. Phone: +506 2222-2624
San José Theater, 8th and 10th Avenue, 15th St., San José. Phone: +506 2222-2624
Vargas Calvo Theater, Central and 2nd Avenue, 5th St., San José. Phone: +506 2222-1875
La Aduana Theater, 7th and 9th Avenue, 25th St., San José. Phone: +506 2257-8305
La Comedia Theater, Central Avenue, 11th and 15th St., San José. Phone: +506 2233-2170
La Esquina Theater, 1st Avenue, 21st St., San José. Phone: +506 2257-0223
La Máscara Theater, 2nd and 4th Avenue, 13th St., San José. Phone: +506 2222-4574
Laurence Olivier Theater (Garbo Theater), 2nd Avenue, 28th St., San José. Phone: +506 2222-1034
Lucho Barahona Theater, 6th and 8th Avenue, 11th St., José. Phone: +506 2223-5972
1887 Theater, 3rd and 7th Avenue, 11th St., San José. Phone: +506 2257-5524
Molière Theater, 2nd and 4th Avenue, 13th St., San José. Phone: +506 2222-5281
Sala de la Calle 15 Theater, 2nd Avenue, 15th St., San José. Phone: +506 2223-7482
Torres Theaters, 8th Avenue, 11th and 13th St., San José. Phone: +506 2256-4295
Variedades Theater, Central and 1st Avenue, 5th St., San José. Phone: +506 2222-6108
Giratablas Theater, in front of KFC, Barrio La California, San José. Phone: +506 2253-6001
Eugene O’Neill Theater, 1st and 3rd Avenue, 37th St. in Barrio Dent, San José (Costa Rican North American Cultural Center). Phone: +506 2207-7554

Theaters in the Central Valley:

Bellas Artes Theater, Arts School at the University of Costa Rica, San Pedro.. Phone: +506 2207-4095
Montes de Oca Theater, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro. Phone: +506 2207-4595
Espressivo Pinares Theater, Momentum Pinares Mall in Curridabat. Phone: +506 2217-0905 / +506 2271-0910
Mozart Theater, San Francisco de Dos Ríos, San José. Phone: +506 2250-5000
Abya Yala Theater, at Fanal towers in San José. Phone: +506 2297-1663
Castella’s Conservatory Theater, next to the Datsun Agency in North Sabana. Phone: +506 2232-0265
Dionisio Theater from Britt Coffee, Britt Coffee road to Barva, Heredia. Phone: +506 2277-1600
Alajuela Municipal Theater, Northwest Coast Juan Santamaría Park in Alajuela. Phone: +506 2436-2362

Theaters in Puntarenas:

Aspinall-Murray Cultural Theater, Cerro Plano in Monteverde, Puntarenas. Phone: +506 2245-5003
Dominical Little Theater, Costa Ballena in Dominical, Puntarenas. Phone: +506 2787-8007

Theater in Costa Rica:

Cultural activity began to flourish during the past 100 years, and the theater has been no exception, as it was developed intensively during this period. In the beginning, the theater was based in the Costa Rican religious traditions, in their customs and historical themes.

Ricardo Fernández Guardia (Magdalena, 1902) and Carlos Gagini, are the ones who developed the first models of dramatic representation of language and life in Costa Rica. Next, the drama focuses on the social drama, such as the play “María del Rosario” (Mary of the Rosary) by Daniel Ureña, and “El pobre manco” (Poor-Handless) by Gonzalo Sánchez Bonilla. Another emerging trend focused on the themes of love and marriage from a perspective that internalizes the social and ideological problems. Some of them were “Cuento de amor” (Love Story) by Ernesto Martén and “La última cena” (The Last Supper), “El retorno” (The Return) and “¡Nada! “(Nothing!) by José Fabio Garnier between 1921 and 1929.

“El combate” (The Fighting) in 1914 by Eduardo Calsamiglia, is the work of the Costa Rica period that most closely matches the traditional rules of that kind of dramatic works and a better built, structured and developed.

The playwrights of the second decade of the twentieth century defined in part by a perception of reality as to what art is concerned. Aestheticism is, modernist heritage, what they assume as a form of protest against society. Being Héctor Alfredo Castro Fernández, a playwright apart from regionalism and influenced by the European vanguard, one of the most important that writes about fifteen dramatic pieces, mostly in French.

Other authors were more conservative, relegating women to subordinate roles to men and a patriarchal role. In general, the Costa Rican scene stayed away during those years of news from Latin American independent drama, popular or experimental. On the other hand, it rejects all forms of irrationalism and insists on leading the viewer at all times. These are ways of running traditional theatrical aesthetic, far from the theater and theater surreal absurdity that occurred in other countries at the same time.

After a several decades gap, appears an upsurge in production and theater in the country. In the group of writers born between 1920 and 1934, was born a group of playwrights known as Alberto Cañas: “La segua” (The Segua) and “El luto robado” (The Mourning Stolen) (1962), Daniel Gallegos: “En el séptimo círculo” (In the seventh circle) ( 1982), “La casa” (The House) (1972) and “La colina” (The Hill) (1968) and Samuel Rovinski “Un modelo para Rosaura” (A model for Rosaura) (1974), “Las fisgonas de Paso Ancho” (The Paso Ancho Snoopers) (1971) and “El martirio del pastor” (The Pastor Martyrdom) (1983). Theater written by these authors can be understood within certain topics, especially politics and social criticism, and on the other hand, the existentialist themes. This is compounded by the knowledge shown by the playwrights of the techniques and directions in contemporary theater, for example, surreal drama and absurd theater.

The resurgence of dramatic writing in these years was due to the very important work of playwrights and innovative activity, studied recently, by numerous groups, directors, actors and companies. The Costa Rican scene was renewed after the boom of the early decades of the century, that had being declined significantly since 1930.

Like the narrative of this era, part of a theatrical production shows special concern for cultural identity, which usually manifests itself in choosing a historical theme: Lupe Pérez Rey: “Pancha Carrasco reclama” (Pancha Carrasco Calls) (1988), “Aguirre, yo rebelde hasta la muerte” (Aguirre, I rebel until death) (1991), Tatiana Lobo: “El caballero del V centenario” (The V Centennial Gentleman) (1989), Juan Fernando Cerdas: “Juana de Arco” (Joan of Arc) (1986) and “1856” (1984). Moreover, the issue of time by Fernando Durán: “Billy Come Back” (1994) and the relationship between social classes by Quince Duncan: “The Trepasolo” (1989).

It is perhaps in these years when the Costa Rican theater assumes a known function in other areas, as activation of the political role of language and representation. Some of these works were seen by viewers of the time as the true representative of the concerns of their generation.

Currently, the public delight in comedy about current political or social events, traditional or contemporary, to be played in an amazing variety of theaters, some impressive like the National Theater and the Melico Salazar Theater, some picturesque and some simpler.

Dominical Little Theater, Costa Rica

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Address: Costa Ballena in Dominical, district: Bahia Ballena, canton: Osa, province: Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 60504.
GPS coordinates for Dominical: 9.250622,-83.858347 (9°15’2.24″N, 83°51’30.05″W)
Website: www.littletheatregroup.org
Phone: +506 2787-8007

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Dominical, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Founded in 1949 by Bert Williams, Little Theater Group (LTG) is the oldest English-language theater that exists in Central and South America.

Currently, sets to achieve at least four productions a year. Continuing the tradition of its founders, the LTG now strives to help the entire community of Costa Rica. The group regularly donates to charity, sponsors school drama festivals, trains new directors and takes productions to the more remote areas of the country.

Dominical Little Theater is open to all who wish to attend or participate. The strength of this theater comes from those who volunteer their time, imagination and creative energy. From set construction up to concessions, Dominical Little Theater is always looking for energetic fun, to help people with each show. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and connect with other fans of the performing arts.

The community theater is a great vehicle for both, beginners and for veteran actors, who might have what it takes to be a star. The directors are seeking your vision, technicians are required to work between racks, volunteers are needed for all kinds of tasks, from the simple to the extraordinary. It is also an excellent outlet for apparel designers, choreographers, musicians and performing artists.

The theater’s vision is to create an important cultural value in the local community to preserve and perpetuate the tradition of theater, by preparing and offering advice to future participants in the performing arts, and to be a theater that provokes and maintains the interest for performing arts as a source of information about the human condition. Its objectives are the creation of programs with the highest quality sound and within a sustainable financial framework, to create works that entertain and fill our audience with satisfaction. The Dominical Little Theater nurtures from the artistic life of participants and the community.

Dominical Little Theater is located near Costa Ballena, Dominical on the Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica.

Aspinall-Murray Cultural Theater, Costa Rica

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The idea of the Aspinall-Murray Cultural Theater was born from the restlessness and hunger for culture that have many locations outside the central area, which have no state aid for cultural development projects. That is why a group of citizens in Monteverde, with the help, passion and leadership of Gloria Waissbluth, came together, first to create a choral movement, ranging from children to adults. Then, thanks to a Costa Rican-American businessman, they built what is now called the Aspinall-Murray Cultural Theater. It was once a big storage to recycle trash, but today besides having lights, curtain and good acoustics, it also has an old beautiful grand piano, borrowed without a time limit from the Monteverde Institute.

The high quality of it’s presentations has led to forays into various forms of cultural activities. Thus, thanks to the guidance of professionals in various culture areas, today there is a children’s theater group, another for adults, an instrumental ensemble, reading and writing classes for seniors, music workshops, theater, motivation to reading and body expression.

Of course, this would not be possible without the help of the three organizers who work for free, the economic contribution of the National Bank, which funds activities that require payment of fees, and the El Establo Hotel that provides accommodation and food for all artists and teachers who go to Monteverde to enrich activities. The University of Costa Rica and the National University have joined this program, sending groups to provide presentations and teachers from various disciplines. Concerts have included the participation of Big-Band Orchestra, Editus, Miravalles Quintet, Ana Coralia stimulation and storytelling, theater plays like “El Nica” and “La Hoja de Aire” (air sheet) by Alfredo Catania.

This whole program has become a true example of community cooperation, which could be emulated by other towns, bearing in mind the little consideration that our governments have always given to culture. For them, the Ministry of Culture and Youth has been the adrift orphaned and abandoned children. To worsen the situation, culture has not been decentralized from the Central Valley, especially with the establishment of Houses of Culture in various communities.

Just like Monteverde is recycling culture, the question before us is how does our Government can help other communities emulate this wonderful program started by the enterprising violinist Gloria Waissbluth.

Address: Cerro Plano, district: Monteverde, canton: Puntarenas, province: Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 60109.
GPS Coordinates to Santa Elena: 10.317242,-84.824453 (10°19’2.07″N, 84°49’28.03″W)
Phone: +(506) 2245-5003

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Alajuela Municipal Theater, Costa Rica

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Address: Northwest side of the Juan Santamaría Park, district: Alajuela, canton: Alajuela, province: Alajuela, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 20101.
GPS coordinates: 10.015128,-84.213803 (10°00’54.46″N 84°12’49.69″W)
Phone: +506 2436-2362

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Alajuela Municipal Theater in Alajuela, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Alajuela Municipal Theater is located in the Former Acts Hall of the Alajuela Institute, which was used during the first half of the nineteenth century. For its architectural features, the building is part of the neocolonial style and was built by the architect José María Barrantes.

The property is on a concrete plastered zocalo. The main facade highlights the porch topped by a pediment of lines with a cavity in the middle. At the top level, there are four beautiful windows that illuminate the lobby area. The main entrance consists of a half-point arc with five stairs on the side. Right there is the ticket shop.

On the outside, the elements of the original plans have been respected, which are kept in very good condition. The lounge interior lends itself to adaptation, in pursuit of a good project with modern technical theater criteria. Today, the historic building is home to hundreds of cultural and recreational activities. Dance, music and theater are among the artistic disciplines that have appropriated its hallways. The theater maintains the original exterior structure from the Former Acts Hall of the Alajuela Institute.

The Alajuela Municipal Theater has three hundred good quality seats, imported from Mexico, and a new tier to give an Italian style. One important detail is that the theater has soundproofing and waterproofing in order to ensure a flawless sound. The master control is inside a cabin located in the front, in an elevated area from which you can control the sound, lights and even the air conditioning. The theater also has a “ciclograma” in the back, which is used to project topics of interest to the province of Alajuela through a video projector.

The mosaic floors are designed with a drawing of the 1950 season. Huge lanterns called “Spiders” will light the lobby that will be used eventually as an art gallery and next to it a small café will be installed, for a taste of the golden grain.

Dionisio Theater from Britt Coffee, Costa Rica

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The Dionisio (Dionysus) Theater is located on the premises of Britt Coffee, on the road to Barva, Heredia. From Automercado, 500 m North and 400 m West. Dionisio Echeverria was born in Navarra, Spain. He traveled to Chile when he was 17 years old, where he earned his living as an actor. In 1973, Echeverria came to Costa Rica with the Del Angel and Lucho Barahona Theaters, Belgica Castro and Alejandro Sieveking.

Dionisio gave a different vision to the national culture. He was not an artist, but a major project generator. Dionisio was the National Theater administrator, director of the National Theater Company, general director of the International Arts Festival, creator of the CoffeeTour and manager of the coffee shop at the National Theater.

Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez said: “As an artist, as an organizer and administrator of cultural activities, Dionisio was of extraordinary professional competence. He was a great friend and we should thank him for his great generosity in the promotion of young people dedicated to theater and dance that today give prestige to Costa Rica.”

Address: At Britt Coffee, 500m North and 400m west from AutoMercado Heredia, district: Mercedes, canton: Heredia, province: Heredia, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 40102.
GPS coordinates: 10.008233,-84.121036 (10°0’29.64″N 84°07’15.73″W)
Phone: (506) 2277-1600

Address map: Click here to view directions from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO the Dionisio Theater from Britt Coffee in Heredia, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Castella’s Conservatory Theater, Costa Rica

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The Arnoldo Herrera González Theater from Castella’s Conservatory, is located next to the Datsun-NISSAN Car Dealership in North Sabana, it is an exemplary educational institution, which seeks to belong to students, alumni, teachers, parents and the rest of the Castella community to provide a service to the wonderful country that feeds it with resources and the best people, and to the global community.

Arnoldo Herrera Theater, is the third largest theater in the country and for years it has given joy to students just like one more classroom from the Conservatory, and is also an art space for the people of Costa Rica.

Arnoldo Herrera González was a daily example for children and adolescents for over 43 years of effort, patience, delights and battles, of reinventing teaching as director Castella’s director.

When in 1953 he started the creation of an institution that bonded academic requirements with the artistic practice, few believed in the project. Thirty-eight years later, when his work was recognized with the Magón Award, approval was unanimous: Mr. Herrera deserved the award and more, and his students and alumni were assurance of it. As with other awards, we can list books, sculptures, paintings and compositions, the Arnoldo Herrera legacy allows a long list of illustrious graduates from Castella’s classrooms, all of them, in a kind of domino effect, have been teachers that multiplied and multiply Mr. Herrera’s teachings.

This conveying of feeling that Mr. Herrera practiced, he learned it in a household that promoted the expression of the senses, especially through the music. Son of composer Mariano Herrera and Catherine Gonzalez, from his early childhood began his musical instruction. At fifteen he was a music professor in Puntarenas and Tres Ríos and at 19 a scholarship enabled him to leave to Mexico, where he studied composition with Rodolfo Haffter and orchestra direction with Carlos Chaves.

Upon returning to Costa Rica in 1948, he led the National Symphony Orchestra, first as interim and then as a guest. At the same time, he started giving lessons in the Education Faculty at the University of Costa Rica, at the Normal School in Heredia and at Seminario High School. Many artists have had this inclination to education: almost none had undertaken as Herrera, the foundation of an institution like Castella.

Herrera recovered in 1953 the legacy of Carlos Millet de Castella, who donated 100 thousand colones and land, next to one side of La Sabana Park, the first facilities of the Castella were built. The main material was available: with the lessons the task began, by knowing how to reconcile the academic and artistic disciplines. Conciliation in freedom and in addition: forming inventive, critical, sensitive to the inner and outer self young people. That every boy or girl shall find “the bread that fits the size of their hunger, the shoe that fits”, he said later. Although it was an unusual project, crazy to many, the Education Minister at the time Uladislao Gámez authorized it and the “dream factory” became operational in 1954 with an initial enrollment of just 35 children. When Don Arnold died in 1996, inscription was over 1600 students, each of them a bit their son or daughter.

In addition to the immense work that was the establishment of Castella’s Conservatory, Arnoldo Herrera was orchestra director and a high value cultural promoter for the dissemination of the Costa Rican artistic music; he stood out as director of the Symphonic Orchestra of the National Radio and Television system from 1979, with which he completed 76 presentations. As founder and director of the National Opera in 1960, he led to a revival of the Costa Rican bel chant. Mr. Arnoldo Herrera died on March 4th, 1996.

Address: next to the Datsun-NISSAN Car dealership, in North Sabana, district: Mata Redonda, canton: San Jose, province: San Jose, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10108.
GPS Coordinates: 9.938008,-84.099183 (9°56’16.83″N, 84°05’57.06″W)
Website: www.conservatoriodecastella.com
Phone:+(506) 2232-0265 / 2293 8334

Address map: Click here to view directions from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO the Castella’s Conservatory Theater in San Jose, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Abya Yala Theater, Costa Rica

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Abya Yala Theater, managed since its founding in 1991 by David Korish and Roxana Avila, it is an independent theater in Costa Rica, dedicated to creating original theatrical works. In addition to entertainment, providing entertainment and research spaces, teaching workshops, national and international conferences and seminars, it maintains an active role in field of fields of production and promotion of artistic and cultural activities in Costa Rica and Central America.

Abya Yala Theater has been awarded with the National Award for Best Theatrical Group in 1999, 2002 and 2006, as well as the Aquileo J. Echeverría prize in drama in 2002 for the play “Nos Esperamos”. Its original work “Sade” was Honorable Mention of the Uchimura Award of UNESCO in 2001.

The theater’s workshops are a service to communities, institutions, professional groups and performing arts amateurs. These workshops may involve the collaboration of other members of Abya Yala, according to the number of participants and needs of each workshop.

Besides David Korish and Roxana Avila, the Abya Yala Theater is currently comprised by Andrea Gómez, Oscar González, Janko Navarro, Grettel Méndez y Rolando Salas; together they maintain two types of work – entertaining and rehearsals that allow an integral, intense and personal development. Since 1996, the Abya Yala Theater has held three acting training and theatrical research labs, the first from 1996 to 1997, the second from 1997 to 2000 and the last from 2004 to present.

Address: at Colegio de Costa Rica towers in FANAL on 11th St., between 3rd. and 7th avenues, district: Carmen, canton: San Jose, province: San Jose, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10101.
GPS Coordinates: 9.935742,-84.071708 (9°56’08.67″N 84°04’18.15″W)
Website: www.teatro-abyayala.org
Phone:+(506) 2297-1663

Address map: Click here to view directions from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO the Abya Yala Theater in San Jose, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Mozart Theater in San José, Costa Rica

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Mozart Theater is ideal for musical presentations and concerts. It is located 600 meters south of Tierras Colombianas (Colombian Lands) in San Francisco de Dos Ríos.

Address: district: San Francisco de Dos Ríos, canton: San José, province: San José, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10106.
GPS coordinates: 9.904312,-84.050583 (9°54’15.52″N, 84°03’02.10″W)
GPS coordinates for the San Francisco de Dos Ríos Church: 9.909922,-84.056383 (9°54’35.72″N, 84°03’22.98″W)
Phone: +506 22181402 / +506 2250-5959
Fax: +506 2250-5959

Address map: Click here to view directions from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO Mozart Theater in San Francisco de Dos Ríos, San Jose, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Mozart theater San Francisco de Dos Ríos, San José, Costa Rica WAZE locationMozart theater San Francisco de Dos Ríos, San José, Costa Rica Google Maps location

Espressivo Pinares Theater, Costa Rica

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Espressivo Pinares Theater, Costa Rica

Schedule:

Thursday to Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. (Depending on the play, sometimes can be other functions in the afternoon or in the morning on weekends).

Telephones:

+506 2217-0905 / +506 2271-0910

Address:

Momentum Pinares Mall in Curridabat, district: Sanchez, canton: Curridabat, province: San Jose, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 11803.
GPS Coordinates: 9.912007,-84.017527 (9°54’43.22″N, 84°01’03.09″W)

WAZE location Espressivo Theater Momemtum Pinares, Curridabat, Costa RicaGoogle Maps location Espressivo Theater Momemtum Pinares, Curridabat, Costa Rica

Website: www.teatroespressivo.com

Address map: Click here to view address map from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO Espressivo Pinares Theater, San Jose, Costa Rica

The Espressivo Pinares Theater is the new theater in Costa Rica with high quality proposals for the whole family, located in the Momentum Pinares Mall in Curridabat, a place of artistic surprises in a comfortable, modern and safe place, with ample parking and in an easily accessible area.

Espressivo Pinares Theater is one of the few theaters that exist in the east of the capital, which offers works with great cultural and scenic content, designed to be enjoyed by the whole family, produced mostly by Terruño Espressivo, a cultural production of quality stage shows.

The history of Espressivo Pinares Theater began as a dream in the heart of its founder Steve Aronson, a visionary man, inlove of theater and passionate for Costa Rican coffee.

The first fruits of that dream took place in the headquarters of Café Britt in Heredia, in the year 2002, with the birth of Dionysus Theater (Teatro Dionisio in Spanish), in honor of the great theatrical producer Dionisio Echeverria. That was the first home of the producer Terruño Espressivo, and the birthplace of two works that toured Costa Rica: “El Nica” from Cesar Melendez and “La Mujer Que Cayó Del Cielo (The Woman Who Fell From The Sky)” from UBÚ Theater, the National Theater Company, SI Producers and the University Theater. Grew even more, but he saw the need for a larger own home, allowing them to bring new audiences . So, in August 2012, it was decided to give life to Espressivo Pinares Theater with the play “El Cuarto de Verónica” (Veronica’s Room).

The Espressivo Pinares Theater is an ideal space for all kinds of shows, both theater as dance, musical performances, film presentations, conferences, recitals, concerts, graduations, and any other event that requires modern facilities and technology in a comfortable and elegant space. It has a modern room with capacity for 260 persons, with air conditioning, the latest in audio, video and special equipments. Ask for the special event packages whether private, cultural, artistic, conferences, congresses, meetings of associations or labor unions, where you can rent the theater for large events, or rent their VIP room for private meetings specially equipped with Smart board, Video conference (Life Size), Apple access point and Apple TV, among others, in addition to coffee shop, first-class service and the latest technology.

The Espressivo Pinares Theater experience wouldn’t be complete without their gourmet coffee shop Pan-Chocolate-Café Espressivo, an unique space, located next to the theater, supplementing the performing arts with a passion for gourmet products. It is a space created for true coffee, chocolate, fresh artisan bread and craft beer lovers. Espressivo is expression, and their gourmet products, prepared with passion, for them are basically a way of making art.

Visit Espressivo Pinares Theater, have fun and expresse with us your passion for art and coffee.

Bellas Artes Theater from the University of Costa Rica

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The School of Performing Arts (EAD in Spanish) was founded in 1968 within the Arts Faculty at the University of Costa Rica, thanks to the initiative of stage director and playwright Daniel Gallegos. However, in 1970 was when it achieved its consolidation. This initiative was supported by the General Secretary of the University of Costa Rica, Dr. Otto Jiménez Quirós and the Rector Carlos Monge Alfaro.

Throughout its history the EAD has been guided by different curricula, which has reflected the ideological, historical, technical and aesthetic concerns of the faculty, students needs, the labor market demands, and the evolution of theater in Costa Rica.

The founding of the University Theater (UT) in 1950 is one of the most important initial events of the national scene activity of the second half of the twentieth century. It was organized under the supervision of Spanish actors from the Lope de Vega Company. Soon after, Lucio Ranucci assumes direction and organizes a realitvely stable and young group. After a brief period of inactivity, the Costa Rican Jose Tassies is responsible for the direction, so that later, in 1963, it passes into the hands of the Costa Rican playwright and director Daniel Gallegos.

Since 1970, thanks to the founding of the School of Performing Arts, the University Theater mounts its plays with casts, mostly comprising students. It was reorganized in 1988 under the responsibility of the Dramatic Arts School, where currently you can enroll in the levels of Bachelor, degree and Masters in Performing Arts.

Some of the foreign teachers, actors and directors who have worked at the UT are: Donald Wadley and William Oliver of United States; Atahualpa del Cioppo, Júver Salcedo, Juan Jones, Lilian Olhagaray and Mario Aguerre from Uruguay; Stoyan Vladich from Peru; and Mohsen Yasseen from Iraq. They brought their expertise into the professionalization of the University Theater.

UT defines itself as a center of theater production, creation and experimentation, and an as active element that participates in the historical evolution of it’s society. It’s a professional theater in the sense that it assumes its artistic duty with the responsibility and ethics of those who practice it as a way of life and as a job. It is an experimental theater because it stimulates searching for new forms of theatrical expression and the transformation and renewal of language stage, taking risks, in the ideological, aesthetic and technical aspects, always looking to raise questions about the cultural identity of the Costa Rican people.

In addition, it aims to bring director, teachers and guests from abroad. It also has the mission to spread the art of theater among the social sectors that don’t have access to theater in the metropolitan area.

The theater has done more than 151 stage productions from Costa Ricans, Latin Americans, U.S.A. and Europeans authors. These productions have won national awards in various years: 44 for students, graduates and debutantes, and 50 for teachers from the Dramatic Arts School and theater productions, and in 1994, it received the National Award for Best Group and Best Scenic Production, in 1997 the National Award as Best Director and Best actress, in 1999 for Best Director. Their productions have made national and international tours and participated in conferences and festivals throughout America and Europe.

The Sol Theater is sponsored by the University Theater and its activities are directed by a committee composed of students and graduates of the Dramatic Arts School. The Sol Theater (Sun theater) is born in 1997 thanks to the initiative of the Board of Directors of the Students Association of Performing Arts, with the goal to offer a new alternative to theater in Costa Rica.

Its creation comes to support performers, directors, musicians, scene technicians, and later authors, seeking to become a collective generator of new values in the theater movement in Costa Rica, since it is an “Experimental Workshop” for students and graduates of the Dramatic Arts School.

Address: At the University of Costa Rica Arts School, district: San Pedro, canton: Montes de Oca, provincia: San José, Costa Rica. Código postal de la zona: 11501.
GPS Coordinates: 9.936456,-84.047961 (9°56’11.24″N, 84°02’52.66″W)
Website: www.teatro.ucr.ac.cr
Phone:+(506) 2207-4095

Address map: Click here to view directions from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO the University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica at Google Maps