Community Storytelling with CENTER THEATRE GROUP
Six plays written by Los Angeles artists were presented at libraries in Boyle Heights.
Education and Community Partnerships (ECP) at Center Theatre Group continues to provide quality opportunities for members of the community to experience live theatre in their own neighborhood.
Making theatre a part of people’s lives is why we go back to the libraries year after year, and the Boyle Heights libraries have been great partners in engaging the community,” said Center Theatre Group’s Community Partnerships Director Jesus Reyes. “Library patrons have been slow to return to their neighborhood library and I hope the Community Play Readings will attract them back— one play at a time.”
Jessica Ko, Childrens Librarian at the Malabar Library, shared that “these events are such a wonderful opportunity to gather our community together to enjoy an afternoon in the arts. The play readings are a great way to experience theatre performances in the neighborhood.”
In 2023, ECP was proud to present six COMMUNITY PLAY READINGS at the Benjamin Franklin Library, Malabar Library, and Robert Louis Stevenson Library in Boyle Heights.
LOLA’S BANIG
Written by FRAN DE LEON Directed by GIOVANNI ORTEGA
When Gina, a single working mom, sits down to a Filipino breakfast with her daughter, Ligaya, flashbacks transport them to a childhood in the Philippines when every Sunday was spent with relatives at her Lola’s house. Recounting days of meriendas, chismis, and siestas on hand-woven banigs, Gina realizes there are painful moments of her life that have been cast away into the recesses of her mind. It takes Ligaya to unlock Gina’s memory and pass down long-forgotten family traditions. This was a bilingual presentation, in English and Tagalog.
Sasha, a quirky wordsmith, struggles to adjust to being the new girl at Kingdom Academy. When she bests the most popular kid in school in the spelling bee, their ensuing argument earns them detention. But on their way, they fall into a magical portal that brings them face-to-face with a fearsome dragon. Sasha must think on her feet to avoid being eaten during her first week of school. This production was presented in English.
SASHA THE DRAGON TAMER
Written and Directed by AJA HOUSTON
Sasha, a quirky wordsmith, struggles to adjust to being the new girl at Kingdom Academy. When she bests the most popular kid in school in the spelling bee, their ensuing argument earns them detention. But on their way, they fall into a magical portal that brings them face-to-face with a fearsome dragon. Sasha must think on her feet to avoid being eaten during her first week of school. This production was presented in English.
THE EXONERATION OF EL MAESTRO
Written by ANTHONY AGUILAR and ALEJANDRA CISNEROS Directed by ALEJANDRA CISNEROS
El Maestro believes he is the greatest luchador of all time. But after 50 years in the ring, time has slipped away from him—and so has his life! Now, he faces the Aztec gods in the afterlife and must convince them of a second chance on earth. It’s the fight of the century as El Maestro faces his greatest opponent: his own ego. This was a bilingual presentation, in English and Spanish.
THE WEREWOLVES LIVE IN MY CLOSET
Written By OZ JIMÉNEZ
Directed by JUAN PARADA
Presented by OFF THE TRACKS THEATRE COMPANY
Seven-year-old Farid goes on an adventure to rescue his older brother, Oscar, who he thinks has been taken by werewolves into the closet. During his search, he meets a hornless minotaur, a sweat-sucking vampire, and a broom-hating witch, and discovers that to be different is to be unique, and that’s OK, because everybody is special in their own way and should be accepted. This production was presented in Spanish.
DINNER WITH REMEDIOS Y SUS GATOS
Written by ESTELA GARCIA
Devised in collaboration with the ensemble
In 1940’s Mexico City, surrealist painter Remedios Varo attends a bourgeoisie dinner party, and her boredom leads to mischief and fancy. Audiences were invited to be a part of the performance told through movement, mask, puppetry, and music. This was a bilingual presentation, in Spanish and English, and with masks and movement.
WHERE THE HEART IS
Written by JASMINE BRAFF Directed by FRAN DE LEON
Estranged siblings, Abigail and Aaron, face the consequences of their father’s hoarding after he suffers a serious heart attack. Abigail, the primary caretaker and occupant of the house, fights to keep the home despite Aaron’s interrogation about her motives and the state of the home. This production was presented in English.
This was a beautiful season full of diversity, art, and valor. We are honored to be able to present these illuminating pieces and look forward to presenting more, especially as Community Partnerships celebrates their ten-year anniversary this season.