Interview with Marina Sanmartín

Four years ago, Marina Sanmartín proposed to the ETC to form a theater group for the disabled within the school. The initiative was carried out with very good reception and since then she is her teacher. At the moment the two groups of theater for disabled of the ETC add a total of 30 students coming from different associations -APROSDECO, ADISDE and TAPIS- that are grouped under the name "Los in-visibles"

Since when are you part of the world of theater?

As a young girl I did theater in my town (Bellreguard) and I participated in the works that the AMPA did for the children of the school. Besides, since the 7 years I have done dance and I have trained in Gandia, Valencia, Barcelona and France, especially in contemporary dance. In 2005 I returned from Barcelona after 5 years and I landed in Dénia, and since then my connection to the theater has been mainly through the ETC.

Tell us how you started doing theater classes for people with disabilities.

The first time I gave classes to people with disabilities was in Gandia, in the Espurna Foundation. As it was an extraordinary experience, I promoted a Festival of Performing Arts and Disability in Gandia and a year later, I proposed to Mario Pássero to create a theater group for the disabled in the ETC. We started at 2006 and the truth is that it has worked very well these years, the students are very happy and involved and every year the groups have grown.

Besides the theater, have you done and do other activities?

Yes, in addition to my artistic curriculum I have a degree in Political Science and Administration and I have a postgraduate in Cultural Management. I like to do everything and the truth is that this diversity is reflected in my work. Apart from the Escola de Teatre, I work in a company as a technician and I do very diverse projects related to educational, social and cultural issues.

What does the pedagogical activity that you develop in the ETC contribute?

It gives me, in addition to headaches and a little suffering, a lot of satisfaction because it is very exciting to see how the students are evolving every year and are able to face unimaginable situations. I have learned a lot during these years, I have discovered great people and I have achieved a way of working that works for everyone. The truth is that I am happy with the work we have done so far, because it has always been based on the potential of the whole group, and that makes our shows unique, because we create from the disabilities and creativity of each one. .

How does the theater affect your students?

First of all, I think that for my students, only being part of the ETC is already a step in their integration, since it is a "normalized" activity of which they feel part. I also believe that for my students and for many other people, theater is a way of doing therapy that makes you grow emotionally in many aspects. In addition to this therapeutic part, the part of artistic education is also very important, since it allows the imagination to be developed, autonomy to be enhanced and its integration to be encouraged.

And how do you see them in the social aspect?

I believe that they continue to be invisible but that through their will and the help of many professionals they are taking steps on the path of integration. The group of the invisible tries to contribute to this struggle through the work we do in the classes and through the work we do in the classes and through the shows we create with the intention of making ourselves visible. I think that showing ourselves to society through theater is very important, because it shows the ability to create a show with artistic quality through the diversity of our skills.

In the evolution of the school, what would be your dream?

That there was no theater group for the disabled, that there was a group made up of people with or without disabilities who wanted to work on a common project. That would be magnificent!

A reflection on the theatrical panorama of the city.

There are many people and many groups in Dénia who contribute to the promotion of culture through their initiatives, but I believe that more municipal involvement would be necessary. A step has been taken with the creation of Artístics as an open space for local cultural associations, but it would be better to continue betting even more on making Dénia a regional cultural reference. Regarding the theater in particular, I consider it essential to build a theater with a complete and diverse cultural program that brings culture closer to the citizens of Dénia.

What projects and wishes do you have for the future?

As for wishes, that my students continue struggling to become visible and to be an example to follow by other people. Regarding the projects, I would be happy to continue working on things that I like.