More than 3,600 primary and secondary school students in Mataró are taking part in five performing arts projects organised by the city council. These initiatives, including 'La Clika' and 'Cantània', run from April to June, aiming to engage young people with live arts and promote universal values.
The first project to take the stage at the Teatre Monumental is “La Clika”, an initiative by Cases de la Música. It aims to build a passion for music, introduce live arts to schools, and work on values such as solidarity, community, and diversity. From 8 to 10 May, five concerts will feature over 1,000 children from 28 schools singing live with the La Clika band.
Following this, from 13 to 17 May, the Teatre Monumental will host a new edition of “Cantània: L’últim rellotge” (The Last Clock). Over 1,400 Year 5 primary students from 32 schools in Mataró and Argentona are participating in this cantata. Composed by Jordi Cornudella Heras with dramaturgy by Tina Vallès, the piece explores the concept of time. “Cantània”, a musical and educational project by the Auditori de Barcelona, has been presented in Mataró since 2004. Students work on the cantata throughout the academic year and perform it with musicians and a choir director from the Auditori de Barcelona.
Theatre Showcases Underway
The 16th edition of the Theatre Showcase in Schools started earlier and will conclude on 19 May. This project is organised jointly by Mataró City Council's Education and Culture Services, with coordination from the Aula de Teatre's pedagogical team. Over 500 Year 6 primary students from ten schools, including Maria Mercè Marçal and Salesians, are participating. Performances are held at Foment Mataroní, with this year's common theme being fear, combining expression, cooperation, and personal discovery.
On 21 and 22 May, the 26th edition of the Theatre Showcase in Institutes will take place. A total of 160 students from six institutes, two institute-schools, and the Les Aigües Special Education Centre will present original pieces based on the title “Preguntes incòmodes” (Uncomfortable Questions). These productions, born in the classroom, explore humour, poetry, conflict, and commitment.
Recent Dance and Drama Events
April saw two other projects involving Mataró students: “Mapadeball” and the Playwriting Tournament. “Mapadeball”, a project by Mercat de les Flors in collaboration with Xarxa Transversal, brought together about 90 students from seven institutes and the Les Aigües Special Education Centre. They danced together at the Teatre Monumental.
Additionally, baccalaureate students studying music and performing arts from Laia l’Arquera institute in Mataró participated in the grand final of the Playwriting Tournament for Institutes. This co-organised activity with Xarxa Transversal aims to offer a full view of creating a theatre play. Besides Mataró students, the tournament included participants from Figueres, Olot, Reus, Sant Cugat, Vilanova i la Geltrú, and Granollers.
Upcoming Performances and Collaborations
From 23 May to 20 June, over 300 students from the Aula de Teatre, part of Mataró City Council's Culture Department, will show their year's work. They will stage various performances in the Aula's Workshops. The Teatre del Cafè Nou will be the main venue, with additional performances at the Teatre Monumental and the Aula de Teatre.
The Aula de Teatre and Mataró Municipal School of Music have also collaborated on the “Mataró Ciutat Creadora” (Mataró Creative City) project, featuring the piece “Llop de mar” (Sea Wolf). Students from both schools took their stories out of the classrooms this year, performing at Masia Mas Fogueres.
