The short version
- El Nuevo Día reports the Jornada Conmemorativa Teatro Rodante Universitario will take place on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, at the Teatro de la Universidad de Puerto Rico
- The event honors Dean Zayas and will include conferences, panels, a roundtable and discussions on the group's history and international reach
- Telemundo Puerto Rico states the Teatro Rodante de la UPR is celebrating 80 years of forming talents
- Faculty of Humanities Dean Agnes M. Bosch Irizarry and Río Piedras Rector Mayra B. Charriez Cordero issued statements praising the group's legacy
Event details
One of the most prominent ensembles of the University of Puerto Rico will celebrate eight decades with the event “Jornada Conmemorativa Teatro Rodante Universitario: 80 años de trayectoria escénica” dedicated to maestro Dean Zayas. El Nuevo Día reported. The gathering is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, at the Teatro de la Universidad de Puerto Rico in Río Piedras and will bring together members from different generations linked to the group.
The program will review the origins of the Teatro Rodante Universitario, founded by Leopoldo Santiago Lavandero and Rafael Cruz Eméric, and its development as a space for learning, creation and scenic practice. Conferences, panels and a roundtable will address theatrical direction, actor training, scenic design and Dean Zayas’s connection to Spanish Golden Age theater. Discussions will also cover the company’s international projection and experiences in festivals in Spain and Scotland, according to the same report.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Las ocho décadas de trayectoria de nuestro Teatro Rodante dan testimonio de lo que puede lograr una institución pública cuando convierte la formación artística en una experiencia de creación, disciplina y encuentro con las comunidades que conforman nuestra sociedad.
Our translation: The eight decades of trajectory of our Teatro Rodante testify to what a public institution can achieve when it turns artistic training into an experience of creation, discipline and encounter with the communities that make up our society.
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Official statements
Faculty of Humanities Dean Agnes M. Bosch Irizarry stated that the eight decades of the Teatro Rodante testify to what a public institution can achieve when it turns artistic training into an experience of creation, discipline and encounter with communities. She added that honoring this legacy recognizes those who have expanded the possibilities of Puerto Rican theater. El Nuevo Día reported.
Río Piedras Rector Mayra B. Charriez Cordero said celebrating the 80 years of the Teatro Rodante Universitario recognizes a trajectory that has enriched the training of generations of artists and contributed to Puerto Rican theater. The commemoration also honors the legacy of maestro Dean Zayas, whose dedication left a deep mark on the university and the country’s culture, the rector added in the same article.
Program highlights
The jornada will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration, followed by an inaugural act at 9:00 a.m., a presentation on the company’s origins and a keynote lecture by Idalia Pérez Garay titled “Dean Zayas: el maestro, director y el teatro del Siglo de Oro.” Afternoon sessions will discuss directorial visions, scenic design memory, the Golden Age tradition and the group’s trajectory outside the island. It will conclude with a roundtable of Dean Zayas’s former students moderated by Sandrita Teres and Gerardo Ortiz, with participants including Modesto Lacén, María Cotto, Eric Yamil Cruz, Christian Nieves and Joselo Arroyo. El Nuevo Día reported.
Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that the Teatro Rodante de la UPR is celebrating 80 years of forming talents, aligning with the commemorative activities described.
Where the sources differ
All sources agree that the Teatro Rodante Universitario is marking 80 years with a commemorative event honoring Dean Zayas. El Nuevo Día provides the full schedule, names of founders, specific activities, participants and two official statements. Telemundo Puerto Rico offers a shorter report focused on the celebration of forming talents over 80 years but adds no conflicting information or additional details beyond the general commemoration.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify whether the event is open to the public or requires registration, the expected attendance, ticket information if any, or whether performances will be staged in addition to the talks and panels. They also do not detail the exact duration of the afternoon sessions or any follow-up activities after Nov. 5.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Teatro Rodante Universitario celebra 80 años de historia con homenaje a Dean Zayas
- Reporting Teatro Rodante de la UPR celebra 80 años formando talentos
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día supplied the majority of the details, schedule and direct quotes from university officials. Telemundo Puerto Rico confirmed the 80-year celebration and talent-formation focus. No other sources were used.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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