Frutos de la Muerte

A young Guatemalan woman, Ixq'anil, and her aunt Adela turn to fungi, science, and indigenous wisdom for guidance amid political turmoil in the US and Guatemala. Spectral figures emerge from the shadowy edges of their memories, brought to life by a skillful chorus of movement and puppetry artists.

Frutos de la Muerte takes an unconventional approach to finding a way through the darkness when we are feeling lost — drawing on mycology, curanderismo, and the quiet intelligence of things that grow in the dark.

This version builds on the company's work-in-progress showing at CRASHBOX, which delighted audiences for its fresh approach to a complex subject, its representations of Guatemalan culture, the cast's performances, and its luscious, mysterious designs.

The play is performed in a mix of languages, but we have taken great care that you will understand it if you only speak English.

About the work

To develop Frutos de la Muerte, the team worked with mycologist Jesús Garcia and accessed resources from the Benson Latin American Collection at UT Austin. That research was complemented by the company's devising approach — drawing from the Lecoq tradition — that emphasizes personal connection to the material.

Frutos builds on the success of acclaimed Glass Half Full shows, including The Orchid Flotilla, the multiple award-winning Yamel Cucuy, and the clever bilingual satire Don Quixote de La ReDo.

The team

Devised by the cast and creative team of Glass Half Full Theatre

Performances by Gricelda Silva, Isis Jasen Silva, Caroline Reck, Antonio Medrano, and Diana Guizado

Directed by Khristián Méndez Aguirre

Story runner, Movement Direction, Puppet Direction, and Fabrication by Caroline Reck

Assistant Direction by Ariane Stier

Fungal Dramaturgy by Jesus Garcia

Cultural Dramaturgy by Khristián Méndez Aguirre

Co-Scenic Design and Co-Costume Design by Delena Bradley

Assoc. Scenic Design & Technical Direction by Joshua Martin

Scenic Painting by CB Feller and Mia Ramirez

Assoc. Costume Design (Fungal Chorus) & Fabrication (Fungal Chorus and Props) by Kade Conklin

Puppet Costumes by Caroline Reck

Sound Design & Video Integration by K. Eliot Haynes

with Original Music by Chris Owen

Lighting Design & Head Electrician by Gavin Kenter

Stage Management by Karla Zodapop

Asst. Stage Management by Rose Gonzales

2nd Ass.t Stage Management by Kuni Ohama

Graphic Design by Khristián Méndez Aguirre

Press Relations by Motley Crew Media

Photography by Minerva Villa

This work is supported in part by

City of Austin Cultural Arts Division

New England Foundation for the Arts

The Creative Fund

Texas Commission on the Arts

The Paramount and State Theaters

Tercera Llamada