Daniel Jáquez Oral History Interview, August 25, 2015

Partial Transcript: Today's date is August 25, 2015 and we are in Portland, OR conducting an oral history interview.

Segment Synopsis: Jáquez talks about his transition into theater which happened when he was 39 and left his job as an actuary to be a part of the theater community. He also discussed the first groups he was a part of in New York city in the 1990s.

Keywords: Choreographer; HOLA; Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors; LATEA; Latino Theater in Lower East Side; New York City; Oregon Multicultural Archives; Theater Director; Translator; acting classes; actuary; artistic career; arts; consulting firm; finance; financial institutions; mathematician

Partial Transcript: So what led you to become involved with Milagro and what led you to Oregon?

Segment Synopsis: Jáquez explains how he came to work with Milagro in 2000 through Olga Sanchez and started here with an artistic residency. He explains how he still lives in New York but comes to Portland to direct shows every year or two for 6 weeks at a time and elaborates on how those shows are selected. He also tells us about how he is serving as Milagro's interim artistic director for the upcoming season.

Keywords: 6 weeks; Artistic Director; Carnival; Jose Gonzalez; Latino Theater Commons; Lincoln Center Director's Lab; Milagro; Olga Sanchez; San Diego; Seattle; artistic associate; artistic residency; candidates; casting; choosing plays; directing; grad school; interim artistic director; interviews; rehearsal process; selection process; transition of leadership

Partial Transcript: And in the many years you've worked with Milagro do you have a most memorable moment?

Segment Synopsis: Jáquez tells us about his first play he directed during his residency, Icarus by Eddie Sanchez, and how the play opened the day after the September 11th terror attacks. He discusses how the artists involved considered canceling the show but in the end were able to delve deeper into the characters due to the attack and ended up producing a show full of hope. Jáquez earned a grammy award for this production.

Keywords: Eddie Sanchez; Icarus; September 11, 2001; September 11th; fragility; grammy; grammy award; humanity; residency; resonance

Partial Transcript: So during the time that you were coming up every one or two years here and directing plays for other organizations... Can you talk about what makes Milagro special?

Segment Synopsis: Jáquez talks about how Milagro feels like family. Milagro does not demand that their directors put on an overly professional artistic persona but instead prioritize connection to the humanity and to the humans behind the work. He also reflects on the lovable, positive spirit of Jim Garcia who he worked with early in his time with Milagro. Finally Jáquez shares about his experience directing La Chunga by Mario Vargas Llosa for Milagro.

Subjects: Jim Garcia; La Chunga; Mario Vargas Llosa; Milagro; Susie Suarez; cage; designer; family; humanity; persona; rotating set; set design; visceral

Partial Transcript: Well, can you talk a little bit about your evolution as a director and how you've come to grow in that role?

Segment Synopsis: Jáquez talks about his journey to becoming a director and credits going to grad school as a major part of his growth. He also commends Milagro for the amount of trust they put in their directors and notes how this trust allowed him to grow in confidence and skill.

Keywords: Mexico City; New York; assistant director; business career; choreography; college; creativity; dancer; grad school; mentor; observing directors; play writing; sound; stage management; technical; theatricality; trust

Partial Transcript: How have you seen Milagro change or grow over the last, about 15 years? Especially the building and neighborhood, any changes?

Segment Synopsis: Jáquez talks about how the physical space Milagro works in has changed over the last 15 years. He also discusses how Milagro has grown in quality and renown. He mentions that the speed of change is sometimes slow but that he is happy with how Milagro has developed, particularly in its devotion to the community.

Keywords: bigger theater; comfortable; community; physical changes; quality; renowned nationally; slow; speed of change; studio; vision

Partial Transcript: So, what can you say about the future of Milagro, especially this upcoming season?

Segment Synopsis: Jáquez shares some of his hopes for the future of Milagro. First, he believes that Milagro has the potentially to grow nationally and should set themselves up to put shows on tour. Secondly, he hopes for a second theater so that Milagro can put on more productions. Finally, he notes the focus on training and education and discusses how bringing in travelling professional actors to join local artists could be a great resource.

Keywords: bilingual actors; community outreach; education; investment; national; national presence; performing arts organization; productions; professional actors; regional theaters; second theater; tour; touring; travelling actors

Partial Transcript: Well you mentioned the connection to the community and the outreach- can you talk about the gift that Milagro provides to the community?

Segment Synopsis: Jáquez discusses how the population of Portland is 12% Latino and how Milagro is hugely important to this community as a cultural reference point. He also notes that for non-Latino communities it is an opportunity to learn about different cultures and connect with common points of humanity. He declares that it is a miracle that such a theater has existed for so long in the middle of Oregon!

Keywords: Latino; Latino community; common points; cultural point; diversity; internationality; museum