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HOUSTON — TEATRX is bringing its annual celebration of Latinx creativity back to Midtown this Thanksgiving weekend as the 2025 La Vida Es Cortos / Life Is Shorts Festival returns Nov. 28–30 at the Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (MATCH).
The three-day festival mixes short plays and short films that explore culture, identity, imagination, and community. Keeping with its mission of accessibility, all tickets remain “Pay-What-You-Will,” beginning at $10. This year also marks a new family-friendly expansion: children 12 and under can attend morning performances for free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
New Children’s Program Debuts
For the first time, the festival is introducing La Vida Es Cortitos, a morning series crafted specifically for young audiences. The lineup includes the world premiere of The Legend of Julio Star, a fantastical new musical from Houston playwright Juan Sebastián Cruz. The adventure follows its young hero from the mountains of Colombia to the stars above.
Families will also see Botas de Papá by Valeria Pacheco and 2000 Miles by Ramón Esquivel—two works that blend humor, folklore, and heartfelt storytelling centered on family connection.
Short Works for General Audiences
Afternoon and evening programming will showcase a slate of short plays for general audiences. This year’s selection includes:
- La Planchada by Carl Gonzalez
- The Pretender by Samantha Vargas
- The Great Citizenship Game by Jay Hernandez
- Morena by Katherine Bahena-Benitez
Each piece highlights a different facet of Latinx narrative, from myth and mystery to social commentary.
Festival Schedule
- Friday & Saturday: 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 2:30 p.m.
- La Vida Es Cortitos: Saturday & Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (free for kids 12 and under with an adult ticket)
Tickets and full festival details are available at teatrx.org. The festival is presented by TEATRX with support from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and Fresh Arts.
About TEATRX
Founded in 2018 by Benito Vasquez, Marissa Castillo and Jorge Diaz, TEATRX is a Houston-based professional theatre company dedicated to elevating Latinx artists and stories. The organization aims to make Latinx performance arts a vibrant and essential part of Houston’s cultural identity. TEATRX operates as a sponsored project of Fresh Arts.
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