Secrets of Summer: A Cultural Encounter Between Miami and Quito

The "Secrets of Summer" project, carried out by Artefactus Cultural Project with the support of Centro Cultural Casa Toledo in Quito and the backing of the International Cultural Partnership Grants Program from the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, successfully achieved its objectives of promoting intercultural dialogue, reflecting on sexual diversity through art, and paying tribute to playwright Tennessee Williams. Williams’ work served as a thematic bridge to explore the complexity of human relationships and cultural tensions in diverse contexts.
The initiative began with a research phase in the province of Manabí, Ecuador, involving interviews with creators, actors, educators, LGBTQ+ activists, and Manabí-based gastronomy entrepreneurs. This fieldwork enriched both the dramaturgy and the staging, highlighting the cultural connections between Miami and Quito. The project’s subtitle, Lights on Tennessee: Theater for Diversity, underscored its dedication to Williams’ legacy while addressing the challenges of homophobia and fostering greater understanding of sexual diversity.
Following this initial phase, the project culminated in the creation of the dramatic text and the staging of Secrets of Summer. The play had its world premiere in Miami on November 22, 23, and 24, followed by performances at Centro Cultural Casa Toledo in Quito on November 28, 29, and 30, and December 1, 2024. With a warm reception from audiences and critics alike, the project demonstrated the power of theater to build cultural and emotional bridges. As Daniel Félix observed in his article for El Apuntador: "Perhaps the most remarkable discovery in this process occurs on the stage, through that theatrical unity embodied by the actors, who deliver and define the undeniable success of this artistic project."