Travel to Cuba from the U.S. has been mostly restricted since sanctions against Cuba began in 1962. Though some sanctions remain, some travel restrictions have been lifted, allowing a commercial flight to land in Santa Clara on Aug. 31, the first regularly scheduled flight to Cuba from the U.S. in more than 50 years.

Ohio State was in an advantageous position once restrictions loosened. Theater professors of Mary Tarantino and Dan Gray have had an established partnership with the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, which facilitated Ohio State trips in the early 2000s, before travel became even more scrutinized in 2004.

“They didn’t make it illegal for us to go, they just made it impossible,” Gray said.

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