ment. He described this experi-
ence at the welcome potluck:
“The energy in the room was
amazing. Here were seven
amazing actors. Excited to be
meeting us, excited to be get-
ting ready for the last weeks of
rehearsals, excited to be bring
what they called ‘Chicano the-
ater’ to their community. A the-
ater that they related to, a the-
ater that spoke to their parents.
“It seems that the ground-
work that has been laid for the
past two years is now paying
off. This group of actors is
solid. They are talented and
dedicated to their craft. So
something old can be new
again. Chicano theater has
been reborn here. I had
thought that my style of the-
ater would die with me, but
suddenly it looks like it just
might be given a fresh start.”
At the Pueblo Unido farewell
banquet Huerta provided a
crash course on Chicano the-
ater from 1965 to the present,
starting with Luis Valdez’
Teatro Campesino, where the
acto was born. This uniquely
Mexican-American form of
drama is defined by its brief
sketches relating to working-
class Chicanos – sketches also
come with a social or political
message. A key element: Actos
must entertain and educate.
El Teatro Vive Aquí
Alpine is a diverse place,
with Latinos comprising rough-
ly half of the town’s popula-
tion. Having a theater program
that reflects this shows the com-
munity “you matter, and your
story matters.” Judging by the
enthusiastic community re -
sponse, there is a huge local
hunger for this type of real
drama.
The good news is that every-
one’s invited to the party. You
don’t have to be Latino or even
speak Spanish to appreciate
what’s happening here. Dona
Roman and Matthew Hard -
ison, a Sul Ross playwright and
actor, are living proof of that.
Another case in point? For
every one-liner delivered in the
Petra plays or in Castillo’s works,
the message is clarified for non-
Spanish speakers through
physical gestures or responses
in English. Everyone is wel-
come.
On his blog last year Reyes
asked, “How about the universi-
ties and colleges? Does anyone
know of a college theater pro-
gram that specializes in creating
Latino writers, actors, designers
and producers? One could
argue that creating theater
artists first is more important.
But why not give them a focus?
Sul Ross is actually moving in
that direction. They are produc-
ing two bilingual shows annual-
ly right now. They are making
that kind of commitment.”
Roman credits Castillo with
having an instrumental role in
developing the university’s
Chicano theater program. packed house – and it stayed that
way performance after perform-
ance. Chock full of culturally-
relevant gems, I would expect no
less. Castillo tells it like it is, using
real insights and exploring
“taboo” topics like racism in the
Latino community, sexuality and
a host of other topics that you
aren’t supposed to talk about.
But the fact that she does is a
relief, and audiences just can’t
seem to get enough.
It goes without saying that
you don’t have to be Latino to
relate to meddling extended
family members or feeling like
an outcast. These uniquely
human experiences and emo-
tions, brought out into the open
with a brilliant comedic touch,
resonate with us all.
“Keep The Drama
on the Stage” El Futuro
It’s a saying that Castillo,
whose self-described niche is
autobiographical plays, is fond
of repeating. Like other
Chicano/Chicana playwrights,
Castillo weaves her personal
background and experiences
into her work. Every play she
has written or adapted includes
the cultural insights that those
in the know can appreciate
with a wink and that new audi-
ences will delight in.
Liz Castillo was born and
raised in the tiny West Texas
town of Balmorhea, an hour
northwest of Alpine. She grew
up listening to the stories of her
grandma and aunt, treasuring
the depth of experience they
brought forth, and started writ-
ing bilingual plays for the bene-
fit of her grandma, who reli-
giously “came to all my plays”
despite not really speaking
English.
After graduating from Sul
Ross and obtaining her mas-
ter’s from Texas Tech, Castillo
returned home to the Big
Bend. Now, as the director of
student support services at Sul
Ross, her position allows her to
focus on helping low-income
and first-generation college stu-
dents, while also teaching a the-
ater class and continuing to
write the semi-autobiographi-
cal works that define her.
Castillo’s newest work, ¡Aye,
No!, debuted in April 2010 to a
In only four years, the Sul
Ross theater department has
produced seven bilingual pro-
ductions and shows no sign of
stopping. This summer, the
drama continues with Alicia in
Wonder Tierra, debuting July 15
at the Kokernot amphitheater
where it is being featured as part
of a Latin Children’s Festival.
Roman and the rest of the
department are working with
other arts organizations in the
area to provide a full schedule of
family-friendly entertainment.
Future plans for the depart-
ment include a road tour for
Aye, No! in the fall and a touring
children’s show in the spring.
Roman hopes that Pueblo
Unido will continue in the
future. Next time she would
like to see a bigger selection of
plays through a broader call for
submission process and to
bring in guest actors as well;
this, of course, will require
additional funding.
For the lucky ones who call
this beautiful region home, we
can share in the experience by
supporting the Theatre of the
Big Bend and discovering its
bilingual offerings. Roman,
Castillo and the collection of
passionate students and faculty
of the Sul Ross theater depart-
ment are a delightful surprise
in a community that continues
to amaze with its talent.
I’ll be keeping my eyes
peeled from now on.
Jett’s Grill
at the historic Hotel Paisano
serving dinner 5 to 9 p.m.
seven days a week
207 N Highland Ave • Marfa
432.729.3838
AYN FOUNDATION
(DAS MAXIMUM)
ANDY WARHOL
“The Last Supper”
MARIA ZERRES
“September Eleven”
Brite Building 107-109 N Highland, Marfa
Open weekends noon to 5 p.m.
Please call 432.729.3315 for more information.
Open by appointment.
R E -R EADS B OOKSTORE
A project supporting the daily operation
of the Alpine Public Library
Gently used books
at gentle prices.
Ave. E at 7th St., Alpine, Texas
Open 6 days a week
Mon-Tues 10-4 / Wed-Sat 10-5
Cenizo
Third Quarter 2010
9