DALLAS: The Dallas City Council has unanimously voted to support a 25-year resident status at the Latino Cultural Center (LCC) for two Latinx theatre companies, Cara Mía Theatre (CMT) and Teatro Dallas (TD). This historic vote marks the first time in the city’s history that a Latinx theatre will be a resident company of a city arts building.

“Adding Cara Mía and Teatro Dallas as residents inside the LCC is a win-win,” said council member David Blewett in a statement. “The residency gives them the stability they need to focus on their artistic endeavors and benefits Dallas by activating and providing additional vibrancy to an important city asset.”

The two companies will occupy the building’s 296-seat mainstage space, where both companies have been previously performing. A new 125-seat black-box theatre, slated for completion in 2021, will also be available to the companies for use.

Cara Mía, founded in 1996,  inspires and engages people to uplift their communities through Latinx theatre,  multicultural youth arts experiences, and community action.

“My vision for Cara Mía is that we are a national destination for Latino theatre,” said CMT executive director David Lozano in a statement. “Cara Mía Theatre is the largest Latino theatre company in Texas and the four surrounding states. This new city partnership will greatly expand the scope and reach of Latinx arts in Dallas.”

Founded in 1985, Teatro Dallas is a nonprofit professional theatrical institution focused on international theatre through the Latinx experience.

“Teatro Dallas is thrilled to have the opportunity to grow in a partnership with the LCC, activating its theatre spaces and amplifying the cultural offerings to both our booming Latinx community and all Dallas residents,” said TD executive director Sara Cardona in a statement. “The residency of our two theatre companies in a municipal building will set Dallas apart as a proactive city modeling best practices in equity, in a time when our country is struggling with issues of representation.”