Públicos y participación desde grupalidades teatrales independientes en Corrientes, Argentina (2024-2025).

Abstract

Independent theater in Argentina is characterized by its collective, democratic organization and transformative vocation through practices such as artivism, listening theater, and community theater. Three self-managed theaters operate in Corrientes City (Espacio Mariño, Teatro Flotante, and Teatro de la Ciudad) that, despite their historical and legal differences, share challenges related to infrastructure, accessibility, and funding. The objective of this paper is to identify the factors that influence audience management and participation from the perspective of the theater group directors. The methodology combines participant observation at performances and semi-structured interviews, allowing for the mapping of factors such as audience formation, cultural policies, and community dynamics. Key strategies include pedagogical cycles, post-performance forums, digital surveys, and community narratives, while the dependence on irregular subsidies and volunteering undermines their sustainability. Audience management is conceived as a cultural mediation and sustainability strategy, where theater groups act as educators, institutional mediators, and agents of social cohesion, building critical and engaged audiences.