It was an act of kindness that brought Elvys Ruiz to the US and to Rhode Island. When Elvys found out that a man, James Edward Parsons, was looking for Latin American playwrights’ works to translate and publish, he sent out a colleague’s play. That same publisher eventually helped Elvys with his journey as he immigrated and settled in the US.
Since that journey, Elvys has become an integral and valuable part of our community in RI. He is a Renaissance person. Not only is he a playwright, an actor, a director, and the founder of the Village Theatre in Hope Artiste Village, he is a translator and an active civil servant. Elvys studied Anthropology in the Dominican Republic and transferred his credits to complete a Bachelors and Master of Science degree at Springfield College, MA. He also specialized in Linguistics and Translation at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Spain.
His life in the theatre began in street and community theatre, where he used his voice as a vehicle to address poverty and community issues in his homeland. His first play, “Coffee and Dominoes,” was written about the Dominican Republic and the problems that resulted from the Government’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which created havoc. “All food went up, transportation and the Dollar went up.” People were protesting in the streets, the playwright explained. His play brought all that to light.
Beyond his work in theater as an experienced playwright, actor, and director, he never stopped being that man who worked in community theater as an activist in his homeland. He has been invited to speak on a variety of topics, including blackphobia and its impact on the diaspora of immigrants from his native Dominican Republic, as well as the African experience in the colonial Americas.
Elvys is a man who gives back in all aspects of his life, informing and building community. He has won many awards for his work in theater. While working for several years in RI’s State government as an administrator, he has had a significant impact on the community. He has continued his mission of educating, informing, entertaining, and building a larger community by bringing people closer.
The Village Theatre was established in June 2019, when Elvys grew tired of begging for space at clubs and libraries to perform. Since then, the Village Theatre has been closed only during the pandemic. During that time, he collaborated with the Outsiders Collective, which supports people with disabilities through “The Same Thing Project.” The project creates opportunities for participants to experience and create music collaboratively. This experience reinforced his belief that artistic spaces need to be welcoming and accessible to people with different abilities, experiences, and forms of expression.
Like other businesses, it struggled during COVID. Reopening the venue required grassroots fundraising from the community vía a GoFundMe. Since then, the theatre continues to grow. Elvys gives back by creating a space where all are welcome. He wants “to get people out of their homes” and into the theatre. This cozy spot in Hope Artiste Village is a comfortable place away from home where people can exchange ideas and meet one another. As we sat in the back room of the theatre next to the bar, his energy was very high. Why is this so important? Since the pandemic, people became separated and “isolated.” This separation continues to this day. It is not good for a society.
To this end, he has created seasonal festivals at the Village Theatre that showcase work from around the world. For Elvys, his most important initiative was the creation of the International Hispanoamerican Theatre Festival of Rhode Island, the first festival of its kind in the state. Through this festival, the audience can experience a wide range of artistic traditions and cultural perspectives. He has hosted theatre companies from Denmark, Mexico, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Colombia.
The coming season is no exception. Elvys’ goal is to expand his audience – an audience that is already very “diverse” – by incorporating headphones into his performances. The headphones would allow each audience member to hear the actors’ spoken words and their interpretation simultaneously.
Elvys also wants to bring theater to a younger audience, one that is “addicted to video games” and is “glued to cell phones.”
He hopes that young Latino artists inherit opportunities to perform and the confidence to create, lead, organize, and build institutions of their own as he did.
Our society needs energetic and educated people like Elvys, especially now, when we are flooded by disinformation from the internet and social media. His past in community theatre coupled with social activism serves him well. He uses theatre as a way to unify people and create a true “Village theater.” His village is the world. Since he created the Village Theatre, he has brought plays and performers from all over the world, creating a global village. We spoke about why it’s so important to conquer the isolation in our society. I can see that Elvys truly loves what he does. He wants everyone to come to the theater. After each show, he encourages people to stay, mingle, and talk. This statement brings a smile to his face.
I have always said that when people meet strangers, even if they speak different languages, the arts and culture can unite them. Creativity is a common language. It brings us closer together. Elvys speaks that language fluently.
Elvys explained that theatre-going was not a cultural tradition in Latino households until recently. It was a European tradition. He wants to change this. He gives back and has served society by building a community in Pawtucket , one season at a time with all who want to join in. In Elvys words, “I believe that a vibrant artistic community contributes to the overall well-being of a city, and I see my work as an ongoing effort to create spaces where creativity, dialogue, and community can flourish”. His medium is his theatre. His mission is unity and his impact on community building in Rhode Island is important and timely for all of us. After all, we are truly a village.
For tickets and upcoming events, check en.thevillagetheatreri.com.