José Cheo Oliveras, Artistic Director of Teatro Círculo, announced that the breaking ground date of the renovation project of their recently acquired building will be October 2010. For the last three years Teatro Círculo has been working tirelessly to raise $3.5 million dollars to renovate the building at 64 East 4th Street in Manhattan. This purchase was made in conjunction with Teatro IATI and Choices Theatre Company, the sister companies who will be housed in the new facilities. Once the renovation is completed, the building will provide for ample rehearsal space, administrative offices, a main stage theater and a black box theater for the three companies. "We are at the point of no return"- said Oliveras who mentioned that at this point the capital campaign has raised $2.7 million dollars for the project. "The acquisition of this building will anchor us in this historical theatre block. We are proud to have the opportunity to serve the cultural needs of the Latino community of the Lower East Side and to be part of the revitalization of this "de facto" theatre district."-said Oliveras.

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Teatro Círculo just finished a very successful tour in Puerto Rico with its production Lágrimas negras by Eva Cristina Vásquez. The sold out performances were part of the 49th edition of the Puerto Rican Theatre Festival presented by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. The play, which deals with the issue of racism in Puerto Rican society, was acclaimed by an enthusiastic audience who engaged in a lively round table discussion with the playwright and actor at the end of the last performance. "It was important for me to bring my daughter to see this show because I do not want her to suffer from the same discrimination I went through" said Elena Ramos an audience member who attended the last performance.

In early October 2008, Teatro Círculo will present the classical masterpiece La Celestina by Fernando de Rojas as part of the 44th International Theatre Festival presented by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. Five performances will be presented for the general audiences and school students. These performances are sponsored by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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