By Jenna Jauregui
photos courtesy of Jenna Jauregui
The theater department at CSUSM is hard at work preparing for its upcoming productions, anticipating an exciting semester of fresh, original performances. Keeping with CSUSM’s celebration of cultural diversity, many of the productions contain a multicultural point of view—exploring the adversity and achievements of Hispanic culture. “Given the mounting anti-immigrant propaganda now being felt by many of Hispanic descent, this is a time to bring theatre of consciousness to the public,” Visual and Performing Arts professor Marcos Martinez said of the upcoming shows. “As the premier educational institution in North County, CSUSM is taking the lead in offering theatre that speaks to issues affecting our community and our region.” The two main performances this fall are “Chela,” a one-woman show by comedienne/actress Dulce Maria Solis, and “Actos,” a collection of satirical one-act plays by renowned director/playwright/social rights activist Luis Valdez.
“Chela” is a biographical performance that tells the poignant true story of a young Mexican woman and the shocking challenges she faces as an immigrant trapped in a loveless marriage, struggling to regain her sexuality. Performed and written by CSUSM theater alumnus and rising actress Dulce Maria Solis, this inspiring production is based on the life of Solis’s own mother. Its powerful messages are laced with comedy and sorrow, culminating in a captivating, emotional narrative.
“Actos” portrays the identity struggle, psychological trauma, and abuse endured by Mexican-American farmworkers. The production is based on Valdez’s experiences with migrant workers when he joined Cesar Chavez in his efforts to educate and organize farmworkers in the 1960s. Shown through a satirical lens, these short sketches use bits of humor to illuminate powerful social and political critique. Known as “the father of Chicano theatre in the United States,” Luis Valdez is renowned for his work in Hollywood whose credits include the movies “La Bamba” and “Zoot Suit.”
Come December, the theater department will host a student festival of plays and performances written and acted entirely by CSUSM students. Theater student Tricia Bowen said the plays are “so funny… it’s a great chance to support your friends and peers, and see some really entertaining shows.” The student festival includes a monologue festival, and a play festival. The play festival will feature two one-act plays written by students from last semester’s play and screenwriting class—“Just Passing Through” by Matt Chewiwie and “The Overnights” by Samantha Carr—and a capstone project by graduating theater/VPA major Mary Relator, titled “S-t-a-u-n-c-h Women”—a cabaret-style show portraying iconic, fictional, and historical women and the issues they face.
For more information about upcoming theater events at CSUSM or for advanced reservations, call (760) 750-4137 or visit http://www.csusm.edu/vpa/art-events/index.html.
If you are looking for some culture, entertainment, and thought-provoking drama, mark your calendars and support your fellow students. These performances are surely brimming with the sensory magic of original live theater.
Schedule of Events:
Chela by Dulce Maria Solis
7 p.m. in Arts 111
Thursday, Oct. 21 and Friday, Oct. 22
$10 general admission, $7 students with ID
Actos: Las dos Caras del Patroncito, The Militants and Los Vendidos by Luis Valdez
7 p.m. in Arts 111
Nov. 11, 12, 13 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
Nov. 17, 18, 19 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
$10 general admission, $5 students with ID
Student Festivals at CSUSM
Monologue Festival
Thursday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. in Arts 101
New Play Festival
Friday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. in Arts 101
Saturday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m. in Arts 101
ONE NIGHT ONLY: “S-t-a-u-n-c-h Women” 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. in Arts 101