SECTION 2: QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION POINTS

Chita Rivera

Institution

Professor

Student

Date
 SECTION 2: QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION POINTS

1. What is your artist’s area(s) of expertise and what does it mean to do that type of

work in theatre?

Chita Rivera, full name Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero, was an American performer,

songwriter, and comedienne best remembered for her vibrant accomplishments in Broadway

plays such as West Side Story, Chicago, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. She has eleven Tony

Award accolades and three wins, notably one for Lifetime Performance. She is the only Latina

and Hispanic American to be awarded both the Kennedy Center Honor and the Presidential

Medal of Independence.

Rivera's profession as a musical theatre artist entails drawing personalities to life via song and

dance. This necessitates a solid background in dance techniques in addition to the capacity to

read music and lyrics and express sentiments via movements. In order to truly inhabit their roles

and communicate with the spectator, musical theatre actors additionally need good acting talents.

2. Discuss biographical and background information on your artist?

a. Birth and Location of birth (death and location of death if applicable)

i. (may be less than 100-150 words)

Chita Rivera was born in Washington, D.C., on January 23, 1933. She was born into a musical

household, with her father becoming a clarinetist and her mother a vocalist. Rivera was raised in

a multilingual environment and communicated excellent Spanish and English. She started

dancing at an early age and has studied ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. Rivera appeared in

numerous well-known musicals and plays during her career, notably West Side Story, Chicago,

and The Rink. For her efforts, she won various honors and decorations, as well as the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Chita Rivera is still living as of March 2023, at the age

of 90.

b. Family: parents, siblings, spouse, children, etc.

i. (may be less than 100-150 words)

Rivera was born to a government clerk father and a seamstress mother. Rivera's family relocated

extensively throughout his childhood, staying in several places around the United States. Rivera

has two marriages in her life. Her first marriage, in 1957, was to dancer Tony Mordente. The

marriage had one child jointly, a daughter called Lisa Mordente, who went on to work as an

actor and director in the theatrical sector. In 1966, Rivera and Mordente separated.

Rivera wedded television producer and filmmaker John McMartin in 1986, someone she met

whereas performing on "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" on Manhattan. McMartin died in 2016,

and the couple stayed married.

Rivera has multiple siblings, along with a brother called José Manuel Rivera, who was a

professional baseball player. Rivera has numerous siblings, along with a pianist and composer

called Jose Manuel Rivera. During her profession, she has additionally been active in charity

work, backing issues like as HIV/AIDS study and medication, and also arts programs for

youngsters.

c. Education: K-12, college, graduate school, post grad, fellowships, etc.

i. (may be less than 100-150 words)

Chita Rivera's ballet training commenced in Washington, D.C., at the Jones-Haywood Academy

of Dance. She subsequently relocated to New York City to further her ballet study at the School

of American Ballet, the authorized instruction academy of the New York City Ballet. Rivera did

not pursue college or graduate school, preferring to pursue a future in musical theater. She
earned her Broadway appearance in the musical "Call Me Madam" in 1950 and moved on to

appear in a number of additional productions, notably "West Side Story," "Bye Bye Birdie,"

"Chicago," and "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

Rivera has maintained to broaden her expertise and abilities during her career by participating in

seminars, seminars, and apprenticeship initiatives. She received a honorable Doctorate of Fine

Arts from the University of Florida in 1999 for her dedication to the arts. Rivera has been active

in teaching and apprenticeship efforts in conjunction to her performing career. She has been on

the board of directors of the American Dance Machine and has given master courses at colleges

and dance schools throughout the world.

d. Early Career and decision to follow this career path

Whenever Rivera was chosen to play Anita in the original Broadway version of "West Side

Story," she achieved success. The production, a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's

"Romeo and Juliet" set in the gang culture of New York City, was a smash hit, and Rivera's

success garnered her praise from the critics and a Tony Award consideration. She then starred in

other popular musicals notably "Chicago" and "Bye Bye Birdie." Rivera's love for the

performing arts inspired her to seek a profession in dance and theater. In an earlier conversation,

she stated: "I never considered it to be a profession. I considered it to be what I enjoyed doing

and was fortunate sufficient to do it for a livelihood."

e. Influences and Inspirations

Rivera's breakout role as Anita in the initial Broadway musical of West Side Story had a

significant influence on her career. With its combination of jazz, Latin, and symphonic music,

the show motivated her to experiment with new forms and genres in her personal appearances.

Jerome Robbins: The choreographer of West Side Story, Jerome Robbins, was a big impact on
Rivera's dancing technique. She praises him with educating her the value of motion narrative and

assisting her in developing her unique brand of strong, physical dance.

Bob Fosse: Rivera's work on the musicals Chicago and Sweet Charity, as well as other projects

with the acclaimed choreographer Bob Fosse, had a big influence on her profession. Rivera was

motivated by Fosse to create her own different, sensual dancing style and hallmark gestures, such

as the "Fosse head snap." Latin music and dance have a significant impact on Rivera because she

is a Puerto Rican-American. In her appearances, she has infused aspects of salsa, mambo, and

other Hispanic styles, promoting these subgenres on the Broadway stage. Other artists: Over her

career, Rivera has credited a variety of other artists as influences, such as Judy Garland, Lena

Horne, and Shirley MacLaine.

f. Process for creating/developing work

Preparation is a crucial part of Rivera's method. Whether it's a new part or a fresh staging of a

classic musical, she devotes a large amount of time to research. This includes reading the

screenplay, enjoying the soundtrack, and investigating the work's historical background.

Partnership is also an important aspect of Rivera's methodology. To design the performance, she

collaborates extensively with the choreographer, choreographer, and other elements of the

development team. This includes analyzing the character's motives and history, experimenting

with multiple interpretations of the material, and collaborating to establish the general concept

for the performance. Rivera's method also includes a lot of experimenting. She is noted for her

willingness to explore new things and take risks in her appearances.

3. Discuss the body of work produced or developed by the artist.

a. Why is/was the artist important when he/she emerged and is he/she still

important today?
Chita Rivera is a well-known American actress, dancer, and singer who rose to prominence in

the performance arts sector throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She is regarded as a forerunner for

Latina entertainers, and she is recognized with breaking down boundaries and paving the route

for future Latinx musicians in the cultural industry. Rivera started her profession as a dancer and

immediately rose to prominence due to her great talent and charisma on stage. All across the

1950s and 1960s, she featured in various Broadway shows, including "Guys and Dolls," "Can-

Can," and "West Side Story."

b. What important story(ies) are/were being told by the artist/company?

Latinx immigrants' struggles and successes in America: Rivera's own Puerto Rican-American

heritage has been a major theme most works in which she has appeared. Her performances in

"West Side Story" and "The Rink" have explored the hardships that Latinx immigrants face in

America, in addition to their contributions to American culture.

c. What are some recent and/or current projects the practitioner/company has

created/produced?

i. “Recent and current projects” should include the last five years 2016-

2020.

 Rivera starred in the Broadway production of "The Visit," a musical written by John

Kander and Fred Ebb. Rivera portrayed Claire Zachanassian, an affluent lady who travels

to her birthplace demanding vengeance.

 Rivera participated on the PBS show "Theater Talk" in 2017 to describe her career and

work in the theatrical industry.

 "The Young Pope" (2016): Rivera appeared as a dramatized incarnation of herself in the

Hbo show "The Young Pope."

Netflix special film.

4. What are the three most significant contributions made to theatre by this artist or

company?

Chita Rivera was one of the first Latinx artists to gain significant success on Broadway, opening

the way for succeeding generations of Latinx actors, dancers, and singers. Her work has

contributed to the breaking down of barriers and increasing exposure and representation for

Latinx artists in the performing arts sector. Rivera's skills as an actor, singer, and dancer aided in

boosting the status of the triple-threat artist in the theatre. She emphasized the necessity of being

able to succeed in all three categories, and her accomplishments established a high standard for

subsequent ages of artists.

5. Has the artist collaborated with other artists or companies on the list of artists and

companies on pages SIX and SEVEN in this document OR have they ever appeared

in any of the plays listed? a. If yes, please elaborate.

b. If no, please indicate that as well.

Yes. Over her career, Chita Rivera has worked with numerous artists, companies, and theaters,

and she has also acted in several of the plays listed.

Chita Rivera starred in Neil Simon's original Broadway productions of "Sweet Charity" (1966)

and "The Rink" (1967).

While there is no direct cooperation between Rivera and McCraney, they were both involved in

the Broadway production of "Choir Boy" (2019), with Rivera serving as producer and McCraney

as author.
Rivera featured in the first Broadway production of David Henry Hwang's drama "Golden Child"

(1998).

Miranda, Lin-Manuel: While there is no direct cooperation between Rivera and Miranda, she did

attend the Broadway premiere of "Hamilton" and has talked positively of the production.

6.

a) List FIVE to SEVEN awards, honors and/or recognitions

Over her theatrical career, Chita Rivera has garnered various prizes, accolades, and designations.

 Rivera earned the Kennedy Center Honors in 2002 in appreciation of her lifelong

achievements to American culture via the theatrical arts.

 Rivera was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009

for her lifelong contributions in the culture.

 Induction into the Theater Hall of Fame (1986): Rivera was admitted into the Theater

Hall of Fame in appreciation of her contributions to American theater.

 Rivera received an Olivier Award in 1998 for her performance in the London version of

"Chicago."

 Rivera was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2009, the highest honor bestowed by

the United States government on artists and arts supporters.

 Rivera was honored with a Kennedy Center Award in 2002 for her lifelong contributions

to American culture via the performing arts.

 Rivera has been nominated for ten Tony Awards over her career, winning two for her

performances in "The Rink" (1984) and "Kiss of the Spider Woman" (1985). (1993).
 b) Clearly list and define three new terms, phrases, concepts or ideas you discovered

during your reading and research and the contexed in which the term, phrase,

concept or idea was used or explained.

Conscientización: By contemplation and activity, the procedure of acquiring a comprehensive

understanding of one's sociology. Action is critical since it is the practice of altering actuality.

Since the social illusions we all inherit are rooted inside a framework of dominance/oppression,

Freire said that learning is a fundamental procedure that relies on identifying genuine issues and

realistic requirements.

Alfabetización: The action and effect of alphabetizing. Educating students to peruse and

communicate such that they might well utilize the recorded "language to interpret the universe"

and continuing to acquire and develop.

EL stands for English learners: ELL (English language learner) has lately been abbreviated. ELs

are pupils who do not understand English or their native dialect is not English and are unable to

accomplish the needed tasks in an English lecture.

7. What assumptions did you bring to this research project and how have those

assumptions been challenged and/or affirmed?

Assumption: Chita Rivera's creativity is confined to her ability to dance.

Challenge: Rivera is recognized for her dancing abilities, but she is additionally an experienced

actor and musician who has won awards for her showings in a wide range of creations.

Assumption: Because of her Latinx ethnicity, Chita Rivera's chances in the theater profession

have been restricted.

a trailblazer for Latinx artists in the theatre profession, dissolving boundaries and preparing the

road for subsequent ages.

Assumption: Chita Rivera's profession is exclusively important to Broadway heritage.

Challenge: Whereas Rivera's origins are in Broadway theater, she has been engaged in a range of

projects around the country and has cooperated with various notable artists and groups, rendering

her achievements to theatre extra substantial than people might believe.

8. In what ways is this artist relevant to you and your life experiences and how is it

different?

The relevance of Chita Rivera to my own life events might be determined by a number of

factors, including my individual goals, ethnic heritage, and theatrical and arts encounters.

Inspirational representation: Chita Rivera's successes as a musician and trailblazer for Latinx

portrayal in the theatrical profession might be tremendously encouraging and motivating for

Latinx folks including me who are enthusiastic in establishing a profession in the arts.

Rivera's presentations and partnerships frequently tackle subjects connected to Latinx

identification and heritage, that might resonate with me due to our shared perspectives and

origins.

Chita Rivera's achievements to the artwork format and her standing as a Broadway icon might

generate a better understanding for the development and growth of theatrical as an art form in

someone like myself who loves theatre.

contributions to theatre?

 Your career has spanned decades and includes many memorable performances. What are

some of the roles or performances in your body of work that you are most proud of, and

why?

 You have paved the way for Latinx representation in the theater business. What advise

would you give to aspiring Latinx actors hoping to follow in your footsteps and build a

name for themselves on Broadway and elsewhere?

 You've worked with a bevy of well-known authors, composers, and producers during

your career. What have you learned from working with such a diverse group of bright

people?