Borderlands Theater strives to build equitable, joyful, and meaningful collaborations with the local community through innovative theater and responsive cultural programs ingrained in the heritage, narratives, and lived experiences of peoples rooted across the Sonoran Desert.
Borderlands Theater’s 40th Season
Making, Breaking, and Celebrating Tradition
For forty years, Borderlands Theater has been rooted in the Sonoran experience — uplifting stories, artists, and communities that reflect the cultural richness of our borderlands.
This season, we celebrate four decades of theater of the US-Mexico borderlands, community-rooted storytelling, and artistic collaboration, while looking toward the next forty years of Borderlands Theater.
Join us for a season of making, breaking, and celebrating tradition.
2026–2027 Season Productions
Barrio Stories 10 Year Celebration
With plays by Chanel Bragg, Lydia Otero, Milta Ortiz, Marc David Pinate, Elaine Romero, Veronica Weatherbie, Silviana Wood, and Martin Zimmerman.
Directed by Julian Cardenas
November 12–15, 2026
Tucson Convention Center – Alva B. Torres Plaza
$55 VIP Pass includes parking, Barrio Viejo tour, and donation entry
Borderlands Theater’s beloved theatrical festival returns for a special 10-year celebration.
For the past decade, Barrio Stories has honored the histories, memories, and lived experiences of Tucson’s oldest barrios through immersive, community-rooted theater. This milestone celebration brings together audience favorites and newly crafted pieces that preserve, uplift, and celebrate the heritage of the communities that continue to shape Tucson.
With live theater, heritage workshops and demonstrations, tours of Barrio Viejo, and daily concerts, this is an event you don’t want to miss.
Experience tradition as treasure in Barrio Stories like you’ve never seen it before.
Blame of Thrones
Written and directed by Jonathan Heras
January 2027
Borderlands Theater at El Pueblo Center
$79 inclues dinner and performance
Dinner murder-mystery theater, à la Chicano, is back by popular demand.
Blame of Thrones returns with telenovela-style theatrics, family drama, a side of mal ojo, and plenty of laughs. This wildly entertaining evening invites audiences into a world where secrets are served with dinner, drama is always on the menu, and everyone has something to hide.
Winter is coming — with a Borderlands twist.
American Mariachi
By José Cruz González
Directed by Marc David Pinate
March 6-22, 2027
Leo Rich Theater
$45
Set in the 1970s, American Mariachi follows a young woman whose love for her mother leads her to discover the healing power of music — and her own passion for mariachi.
At a time when mariachi was considered a tradition reserved for men, she dares to imagine a different future. Filled with music, heart, humor, and the vibrant sound of Tucson, American Mariachi celebrates family, memory, and the courage it takes to break tradition in order to make something new.
A play with music. A story of family love, music as memory, and self-discovery.
Get Your Season Pass and Save 20%
Only $143 for all 3 plays or $80 for Barrio Stories & American Mariachi!
Your season pass gives you access to a year of unforgettable theater. By purchasing a season pass, you are not only reserving your seat — you are helping sustain theater rooted in the Sonoran experience, support local artists, nurture the next generation of theater makers, and uplift stories that belong on our stages.
Celebrate forty years with us!
Get your season pass today and help make the next forty years possible.
Purchase the Songs!
Thank You Tucson for Amazing Run. We are happy to say that a select number of songs are available for download! Click the link below to keep the music with you!
