The once lively theaters of New Mexico have been quiet since last March. No performances. No ticket sales. No paychecks. There might yet be light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but the year-long closures have actors and theatrical management worried about what’s next. NMiF fellow Bryce Dix sits down with the Albuquerque Little Theatre’s Henry Avery and local actor Hasani Olujimi to chat about their concerns and how venues have been making ends meet. 

The Line opinion panel looks at the governor’s final legislative action and correspondent Laura Paskus examines environmental measures from the lawmaking session – both those passed and those put off another year. 
 
The Line also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on New Mexico’s attempt to return students and educators to school buildings. Finally, the group wades into the special election to replace Deb Haaland in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District. 

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 18 at 7 a.m.  

Segments 

New Environmental Laws 

Correspondent 
Laura Paskus, NMiF environment reporter  

Guests 
Angelica Rubio, state representative, Las Cruces 
Artemisio Romero y Carver, spokesman, Youth United for Climate Crisis Action 

The Future of Theater in New Mexico 

Correspondent
Bryce Dix 

Guests
Henry Avery, Albuquerque Little Theatre 
Hasani Olujimi, actor 

Line opinion panel 
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR 
Cathryn McGill, NM Black Leadership Council 
Laura Sanchez, attorney 

Host 
Gene Grant 

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic health, education, and art issues, and explores them in-depth with a critical eye to give them context beyond the “news of the moment.

The producer of New Mexico in Focus is Matt Grubs, with Kathy Wimmer, associate producer. The NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald.

The McCune Charitable Foundation provides NMiF funding, along with viewers like you.

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