Teatro Índigo will celebrate a major milestone this fall as it presents the 12th season of its acclaimed Day of the Dead production, Calavera con Calavera (“Skulls”), on November 2 at 7:30 p.m. at The Hobby Center. The all-Spanish play, featuring English subtitles, continues its remarkable legacy as the first local theater production created by Latino immigrant artists to run for 12 consecutive seasons in the Houston area.

The 2025 season began internationally on September 12 with a special presentation at the Ungdomens Hus Theatre in Malmö, Sweden. Now returning home, Teatro Índigo aims to reignite the Houston community’s appreciation for Día de Muertos with a production rich in color, music, and emotion. This year’s performance will feature collaborations with Houston Ballet Folklórico, Danza Chicawa from Conroe, and the powerful vocals of local singer Nancy Ilyria.

Written by Eddie Gonzalez, directed by Sureya Mir, and accompanied by the music of José Vazquez, Calavera con Calavera goes beyond storytelling. It serves as a living tribute to heritage, memory, and the eternal bond between the living and the dead.

The General Consulate of Mexico in Houston has once again endorsed the production as part of its official Day of the Dead celebration, continuing its long-standing support for the show’s cultural significance.

Since its debut, Calavera con Calavera has captivated thousands, earning recognition across all levels of government. In 2019, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner declared November 3 as “Calavera con Calavera Day.” Three years later, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia honored the play for its educational and cultural value, and in 2023, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia awarded a Congressional Certificate marking its 10th anniversary.

The production’s influence has also extended internationally. The Government of Mexico featured Calavera con Calavera in Semana Global (World Wide Week) from 2019 through 2022, representing Houston among Día de Muertos celebrations around the world.

A Celebration of Life and Legacy

Set on Día de Muertos, the story follows the Burgos family as they gather at Hacienda Calvario to build their traditional altar and honor their loved ones. Through humor, reflection, and storytelling, they explore the meaning behind each element of the altar — from candles and food to poetry and the presence of La Catrina herself. As the family contemplates the mysteries of life and death, the play delivers an ending that leaves audiences both surprised and deeply moved.

Founded 18 years ago by Eddie Gonzalez and Domingo Banda, Teatro Índigo was created to give Houston’s diverse community a platform for artistic expression. The company’s repertoire spans a wide range of original works addressing topics such as racism, domestic violence, and gender discrimination. Its debut play, Índigo, premiered in 2007 and set the foundation for a theater group dedicated to art, community, and cultural preservation.

With Calavera con Calavera, Teatro Índigo continues to honor Mexican traditions while sharing the universal message that life — no matter how fleeting — is meant to be celebrated.