Life & Work with Marines Soria Sevilla

My journey began with a passion for theater, physical theater, dance and painting since I was a kid. In 2017, I started my producer’s life with Palpita Teatro, my production company along with Nazaret Ortiz, dedicated to developing theater shows and workshops. Delving into script adaptation, a new and exciting venture called Teatro Pop Up emerged. This production company, with a team of multidisciplinary artists, aimed to create immersive and unforgettable theatrical experiences in a pop-up format, ensuring each project was unique, irreproducible, and explored diverse spaces, from live to virtual. I forged collaborations with artists in video mapping, pushing the boundaries of visual and sensorial storytelling and experimenting with innovative ways to use light, color, and sound. Currently, my artistic journey continues to evolve as I engage more in the adaptation of scripts, explore fresh art spaces, and commit to a deeper research of sensorial experiences and color dynamics. Presently, I work in the Production Team of Gibney Company in New York, where I am immersed in the world of light design, deepening my understanding of this essential component of the performing arts. Finally, I have recently launched a space called Swim Club in New York, hosting pop-up art installations, where I serve as Creative Production Manager alongside Creative Director Itzi Calle.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. It’s been a continuous process of learning from challenges. Many ideas and projects faced delays or failed to materialize as envisioned, consuming considerable time, energy, or financial resources. Many initiatives searched for a platform to showcase but found none. There were instances of compromising sleep, personal agenda for work priorities, and vice versa, where the pursuit of other life aspects led to delayed or missed opportunities for both work and artistic collaborations. One of the toughest struggles for me has been going through a new creative process and dealing with self-doubt about one’s capacities. Also, dreaming big but not being able to achieve the desired outcome because you have to learn or strengthen certain skills, requiring trying out, making tons of drafts, and an amount of mistakes until you get as close as possible to what your imagination creates. Sometimes you discover things by yourself, and sometimes it requires meeting the right team.

An example of a struggle with a positive outcome was in 2018 and 2019 when, while seeking a venue for my project “Enlazadas,” no theater accepted it into their program. Eventually, we discovered Casa Siamo, a cultural space where, despite lacking theater lighting, collaboration with artist Mario Sergio introduced the concept of using Videomapping as a tool for light design. This experience awakened my interest in incorporating this technology into theatrical experiences and using non-conventional spaces.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Creative Producer for Live Events and Director of theatrical projects. As a Creative Producer, I develop the perfect synergy between my artistic capacities, conceiving concepts, collaborating with artists, and managing the planning and necessities for carrying out artistic projects and events. I am passionate about creating multi-media performances, installations, and art events with a focus on immersive and participatory experiences for the audience.

In the past year, I have delved deeper into multimedia experiences, such as the case of the screening of my documentary film ‘Building Up Yerma’ at Centro Cultural La Moneda in Lima (June 2023) and The Vino Theater in New York (July 2023). The projection of the film was mixed with a performing event, bringing to life a theatrical moment, followed by a participative space with the audience. My following project was ‘The Dream Playground,’ in New York, a party event featuring short films and short plays curated by myself and Axel Meta. It showcased short performances by actors workshopping their own and others’ material and up-and-coming movie directors showing their shorts and clips, all in a specially selected theater venue ambiance that turned into a club. The experience encouraged guests to connect and had a space for an art talk.

I am passionate about the idea of everything being interactive and socially connecting. I love when after an art event there’s a designed space that invites the audience to share their thoughts, doubts, or common interests. That is why I’ve been called to be the creative producer of the newly launched space ‘Swim Club,’ a monthly art event set in an accessories store-gallery. Our inaugural event showcased illustrator Ana Christie and her project ‘Please Enjoy This’ through a two-screen video installation merged with live music and a space for networking and dialogue.

Currently, I am on the verge of initiating my online creative laboratory called ‘Tennessee Williams’ Echoes.’ In this collaborative venture, artists will develop an audio-visual project inspired by the text of Tennessee Williams. Our exploration will focus into the realms of sound and color, using them as elements for sensory provocations.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?

Success, for me, is when positive feedback and my own pride in the outcome match. Also, success can manifest in the form of an exceptional learning experience, one that either fortifies existing skills or enlightens me on the level of dedication required to enhance a particular area. Success for me is a dynamic between personal fulfillment, recognition, and continuous growth.