Dominican Theater Group “Teatro Orquestal Dominicano” Will Celebrate its Fifth Anniversary with a Special Presentation

Santo Domingo, July 18, 2018 – The “Teatro Orquestal Dominicano (TODO),” a theater group that features 170 children, youth and adults with various physical and mental challenges will celebrate its fifth anniversary with the play “Pirámide 179,” written by renowned Dominican playwright Máximo Avilés Blonda.

The special free presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, July 25, in Santo Domingo’s Palace of Fine  Arts at 8:00 p.m.  The theater group is headed by actress and playwright Elizabeth Ovalle.

Director Quilda D´Oleo is in charge of the presentation, assisted by Quennia Rivera while Serbio Uribe heads the play’s verse interpretation.  Wanda Camilo is the choreographer, Eddy Sánchez is in charge of percussions and the choral background is a joint effort carried out by Simón Cesar and Ondina Matos.

 The play “Pirámide 179” deals with the division of two countries: Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  The work highlights the contradictions originated by the division of the island of Hispaniola, which does not respond to its ethnic reality or geographical situation, but rather by the division of human  beings.  The play raises the importance of brotherhood and understanding among nations.

The physically and mentally challenged children of the group TODO actively participate in various artistic disciplines, allowing them to express and develop their natural talents.

The project began five years ago as an initiative of the Ministry of Culture, and today has more than 100 members. The group is greatly admired by the general public.

TODO’s director, actress and playwright Elizabeth Ovalle, explained that the group is divided into five areas: coral, dance, percussion,  theatre and Down’s Syndrome.

The theater group made its debut on May 27, 2013 in Santo Domingo’s National Theater, and the opening event was attended by hundreds of supporters.