La Colmena, the nest of artists in Urdesa to live the experience of micro theater or stand up

Three friends who shared classrooms during their student days at ITV thought it was time for Guayaquil to give birth to a new place where the theater and the public congregate. Their friendship not only has acting as a common denominator, they have felt the limited possibilities that new artists have to present their proposals in Guayaquil.

La Fábrica returns as an itinerant proposal near the sea and far from the hustle and bustle of the city

With this premise Willy Mejia, Cesar Marcos and Jose Manuel Briones founded Beehive in central Urdesa (Costanera 427), a house converted into a space for micro theater and stand-up which opened its doors -despite the uncertainty of the pandemic- in October 2021.

“The reality as an actor and director is that if you are not known, you do not have a space as such”, says Mejía, who is also director of the acting career at ITV. He mentions that they seek to foster “the growth of the actors and directors who are being trained, because it is useless if they are not shown”.

This is how they proposed a strategy that covers all possible edges of the current market. “We think that it can have its commercial part, that it has people who are known from the media, but where we also rescue and give the opportunity to the students who are studying -with a good proposal that is reviewed in this case- have the opportunity to be able to show up”he maintains.

‘Sueño Rush’, a six-day performance with only one on-site spectator

“I have seen very good proposals… in fact we have carried out exit polls with the public and they liked it. I feel like there is a lot of potential here.”says Mejia.

La Colmena has three rooms for short-form works and one with greater capacity for long-form works. has some spots with decorations that fuse neon light signs, murals, illustrations, details vintage and a swimming pool in its garden with palm trees, where visitors can accompany their visit with a drink and a snack.

“The basic idea is that each one feels that they are in the most comfortable place, and in the most comfortable space of the house of La Colmena… we want someone to breathe art as soon as they enter”says Mejia.

He recognizes that running the space has been quite a challenge, and that little by little it is bearing fruit. “We feel that it has been well received, the word has spread quickly. The three of us feel happy… each time we see different people in the public, and even foreigners”, bill.

In addition to theater and stand-up, Mejía indicates that they are a space that will bring together other manifestations of art such as photography, painting, magic, dance, and even be that place where teachers can offer workshops; from those who have already received proposals. “All the artistic currents that are saying hello, thank you for giving me this space”, express.

One of its future goals is to make a social contribution. “We have the vision of connecting with a foundation to be able to have a kind of free workshops for people who perhaps do not have the resources to be able to study… tell them that this base can help you if you are going to be a doctor, a lawyer, it is a bit of reintegration in the social part, details.

Pop Up Zumar, a new space to bring theater to vulnerable areas of Guayaquil

This group of partners and friends intends to consolidate the concept of La Colmena. “Our flag is that the place continues to grow, and continues to give space to all the artists… help each other and create the basic concept of La Colmena, that it be a place where we are all going to connect for the same purpose”, Mejia stresses.

La Colmena presents its micro-theater performances from Wednesday to Saturday, at times from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The cost of your ticket is $5. shows from stand-up They usually show up on Tuesdays. To learn more about their shows, you can visit their networks at @colmenateatro. (I)