Spanish Students Experience Culture, Literature & Theater in NYC

Huntington High School students from various Spanish courses participated in an enriching educational trip to New York City. The experience blended holiday sightseeing with live theater, allowing students to connect classroom learning with authentic cultural exposure.

A highlight of the visit was attending a performance at Repertorio Español, a renowned New York City theater dedicated to producing Spanish-language works and promoting Hispanic culture through the performing arts.

The class of teachers Lorena Hickey, Elizabeth Casazza, Clara Galeas, Kenia Guevara and Grixon Moreira participated in the trip.

In the weeks leading up to the trip, Spanish classes focused on the study of literature to build background knowledge and context. Students in Dual Language, Native Spanish and Spanish V Honors classes, read “La Gringa” by Carmen Rivera, a contemporary play that resonates strongly with young audiences. The story follows María, a young woman on a personal journey to reconnect with her roots, family heritage, and sense of identity.

Through humor and relatable characters, “La Gringa” explores universal themes such as self-discovery, belonging, and cultural identity. Its comedic tone invites students to reflect on their own experiences while encouraging meaningful discussion about heritage and personal growth.

AP Spanish Literature students also prepared for a New York City trip by reading “Don Quijote de la Mancha” by Miguel de Cervantes, a cornerstone of world literature and one of the most influential works ever written.

Cervantes’ masterpiece has shaped literary tradition worldwide, and students were able to experience it through a stage adaptation that brought to life twelve enthralling adventures of Don Quixote and his loyal companion, Sancho Panza.

By pairing literary study with an immersive cultural experience in New York City, the trips provided students with a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of language, literature and identity beyond the classroom.