El Ciudadano
Original article: «Velocirraptors»: Ancianas empoderadas encabezan la revolución en el teatro del GAM
«Velociraptors»: Empowered Elders Lead a Theatrical Revolution at GAM
With a call to stop babysitting grandchildren, no longer knitting for cats, and breaking free from the stereotypes that society imposes on older individuals, a trio of grandmothers is taking social media by storm with live broadcasts, encouraging their peers to join the rebellion.
Fueled by an eclipse, these elder women have seized control of a wholesale supermarket, leading a revolt where they dream of a world that does not exclude them and recognizes the value of their gray hair. This story serves as the backdrop for «Velociraptors,» a production featuring actresses Andrea García-Huidobro, Gabriela Aguilera, and Andrea Ubal.
The play, written by Andrea Franco (known for works like «Mutilados» and «Boca Abajo»), derives its title from a derogatory term used in memes and digital platforms to mock older women competing for a seat on public transport. The narrative takes this stigma and transforms it.
Through a storyline that blends the harsh realities of social life with humor, we meet protagonists who, far from being passive subjects or mere «grandmothers,» emerge as political actors in an unexpected revolution.
«Within this lies the idea that if older women are perceived as ‘loud,’ it is also seen as a problem. Why can’t an older woman demand her seat? There is something distorted at the level of imagery and representation,» asserts Franco, who also directs the project.
This piece—funded by the National Fund for the Promotion and Development of the Performing Arts, call 2025—confronts the realities of aging in Chile, addressing the role of women and social changes. It offers critique and depth from a playful perspective with fantastic elements.
«The play proposes to engage in conversation through dark comedy, showcasing the stereotypes we hold about aging and pushing them to the limit. I’m interested in that gesture of exaggeration, of tension, because that’s where the possibility of re-examination arises. We should question how we perceive older women, what place we give them in social, political, and cultural contexts,» explains the author and director.
It’s a dynamic and accessible theatrical proposal, infused with the rhythms of cumbia and trap, capable of provoking audiences without sacrificing complexity. «We’re discussing something often associated with loss—old age—yet from a different vantage point: as a space where there is still life, energy, desire, and the power to act. Not as an end, but as a stage that can also be intense, uncomfortable, communal, and even joyful,» asserts Franco.
Coordinates
June 26 to July 12
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 PM
Sundays at 6:30 PM
Room N1 GAM
Duration: 75 min.
Rating: 14+
Tickets available at gam.cl
*The play features occasional rapid changes in lighting and the use of smoke during the performance.
Directed and written by: Andrea Franco Marin | Assistant Director: Monserrat Estévez Calderón | Cast: Andrea García-Huidobro Celedón, Andrea Ubal Rodríguez, Gabriela Aguilera Vallejo, Monserrat Estévez Calderón, Juan Pablo Larenas Dintrans | Production: Heny Roig Monge | Integrated Design: Manuel Morgado Escalante | Audiovisual Design and Photography: Liú Marino Águila | Sound Design: Guillermo “Cuti” Aste von Bennewitz and Emilio Adasme Campos | Project funded by the National Fund for the Promotion and Development of the Performing Arts, call 2025 | Sponsored by: UC Theater School
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