Theater and Cuplé: Performing Arts and Resistance to Tradition in the Early 20^th Century

AUTHOR: Mia Maldonado
FACULTY: Prof. Jennie Daniels
DEPARTMENT: Spanish

ABSTRACT

Theater and Cuplé: Performing Arts and Resistance to Tradition in the Early 20th Century The Silver Age of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century represents an era in the Spanish-speaking world that examines modernistic ideas through literature. While the Silver Age particularly refers to Spanish literature, this era produced an international movement with strong characteristics and ties amongst the Spanish speaking world in Latin America. In addition to the exploration of modernism through written work, this era demonstrates the rich exploration of modernism through various forms of performing arts. By investigating two forms of popular performing arts in the Spanish speaking world during the Silver Age - theater and cuplé this paper examines to what extent modernistic exploration during the era involves the rupture of traditional gender roles. Ultimately, during the modernism of late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, performing arts became a way for individuals to break gender structures. Theater and cuplé music demonstrate this era's role in the Spanish-speaking world to question and resist tradition related to gender and sex. This presentation will be given in Spanish.