Teatro Trail to Remove Blackface Character From Play Following Community Outrage

A Miami-based theatre company has responded to criticism over the use of black face in a play titled 3 Viudas en un Crucero, currently being produced by the theatre group Teatro Trail.

According to reports the character which features a light-skinned actress sporting dark makeup, an afro wig, and exaggerated features, is a stock part of the Cuban vernacular theater tradition and will be removed from the play this weekend.

The company has also announced its intentions to host a community discussion on cultural sensitivity and theatre history on June 28 at 8 pm.

The group has responded to the criticism with an apology for the portrayal and has announced its intentions to change the content of the show to remove the offending character:

"Our mission has always been clear: to provide healthy entertainment through the arts and culture for the entire population of South Florida. Because of the controversy surrounding one of the characters in the show "3 Viudas en un Crucero" (3 Widows in a Cruise) - a work conceived without the intention of offending any race, creed, or social condition - its director and writer, Pedro Román, the actress, Marta Velasco, and the Trail Theater have made the decision to change the appearance of the character, modify texts, and thereby avoid misunderstandings to stay consistent with our mission."

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