40 Years On Stage — Cuenca Actress Juana Estrella's Week-Long Retrospective (Apr 23–29)

Who Is Juana Estrella

If you've been to serious theater in Cuenca in the last decade, you've probably seen Juana Estrella on stage — or her name on a program. She started in 1986 with the theater group "La Ventana" at the Universidad de Cuenca. Her first paid role was in El hacedor, directed by Vinicio "El Perro" Jáuregui.

Outside theater, she appeared in Tania Hermida's film En el nombre de la hija. Her own stage works — including El monólogo de la escoba — have been programmed at Teatro Pumapungo and beyond.

On her 40-year retrospective, she said: "Ha sido gratificante darme cuenta de que no me equivoqué en mi profesión" — it's been rewarding to realize I didn't pick the wrong profession.

The Schedule — April 23 Through April 29

Most events are free. Paid shows are $5–$12. Here's the full week.

Thursday, April 23 — 7:30 PM

"Archivo – Memoria" — exhibition opening Galería La Informal. Free.

A curated look at Estrella's archive — programs, photographs, props, scripts — across 40 years.

Friday, April 24 — 8:30 PM

Concert: Funky Tu Madre + Los Guajiros Casa de la Cultura vestibule. Free.

Two local bands. A casual, party-forward night in a central venue.

Monday, April 27 — 7:30 PM

El velorio — Premiere Teatro Sucre. $5.

A new theatrical work premiering as part of the tribute.

Tuesday, April 28 — 6:00 PM

AI discussion and documentary screening Casa de la Lira. Cost: not yet published.

A conversation on how artificial intelligence is changing performance, paired with a documentary screening.

Wednesday, April 29 — 7:30 PM

El monólogo de la escoba Teatro Pumapungo. $12.

Estrella's signature one-woman show, originally premiered at Teatro Pumapungo in 2006. The mainstage closer of the week.

What This Means for You

• Three events are free — Thursday's opening, Friday's concert, Tuesday's discussion. No excuse not to pick one.
• The paid shows are very affordable — $5 at Teatro Sucre, $12 at Teatro Pumapungo. Cuenca theater pricing is basically still 2015 pricing.
• If you only go to one thing: El monólogo de la escoba at Teatro Pumapungo on April 29 is arguably the definitive Cuenca theater experience — by one of the city's most accomplished actresses, in the city's most atmospheric theater venue.
• No Spanish required to enjoy the music or visual exhibition events. For the theater performances, strong intermediate Spanish helps.

This is the kind of arts programming that doesn't happen every week in Cuenca. Worth marking the calendar.

Source: El Mercurio