60 years of INBA national school of theatrical art (Escuela Nacional de Arte Teatral del INBA)

Socorro Merlín

CONACULTA / INBA-CITRU
México, 2008
186 p.

Along with what has been one of the fundamental research lines within CITRU —the document log of theater production by the National Institute of Fine Arts (Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes) since its foundation in 1946 until the present day—, the book 60 Years of INBA’s National School of Theatrical Art, by Socorro Merlín, creates a memory that follows (throughout 6 decades) the academic management of the various authorities of the institute. It also focuses on the evolution of ENAT as a center devoted to the professional shaping of theater professionals —actors, stage designers and directors— emphasizing the constant transformation of curricular structure of the majors and its study plans and programs. Another subject matter of the memory is the year by year relation of repertoires, seasons and stagings created by teachers and students alike. Many of these, due to the personalities participating and their artistic and cultural impact, branded foundational moments in the history of Mexican theater during the second half of the 20th century. Within a special section are gathered testimonials by Salvador Novo, Dagoberto Guillaumín, José Solé, Emilio Carballido, Wilebaldo López, Jorge Reyna, Ricardo Ramírez Carnero, Ignacio Escárcega and Antonio Algarra, who evoke and assess, in the first person, their work as directors of yesterday and today and of ENAT. The speech pronounced by Jaime Torres Bodet, Education Secretary, during the opening of the school in the Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) is included, as well as a listing of teachers who have been a part of its staff. The book is illustrated with images of members of the school community, with scenes of actors and selected stagings, as well as with varied documents, such as hand programs and invitations.