Jennifer Herzog, 4/4/2013
Should our teachers be armed? “Mother of Exiles/Madre de Migrantes” explores issues of immigration, violence and civil rights...
YOU'RE INVITED to "Mother Of Exiles" at Cornell's Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, featuring three IC actors:
Deanalis Resto (IC Theatre alum)
Xavier Reyes (IC Theatre student)
Gustavo Licon (IC Professor, Latin American studies)
Cornell’s Department of Performing and Media Arts will present "Mother of Exiles/Madre de Migrantes," April 5-6 and April 12-13 in the Flex Theatre at the Schwartz Center, 430 College Ave.
The play, written by Latina playwright Elaine Romero, tells the story of Ivy League educated teacher Madga Andrews and her troubled classroom on the Arizona/Mexico border. Armed by the state and under pressure, Andrews uses a gun to teach her students about American civics.
Melanie Dreyer-Lude, assistant professor of acting and directing at Cornell, directs the play, which will include interactive experiences for audience members, incorporating elements of the U.S.-Mexico border patrol experience. An installation by graphic artist Alma Hoffman will also be featured in the Schwartz Center lobby. Hoffman’s work, "City of Ethnos," explores issues of equality, diversity and cross-cultural communication.
“Our play is both a celebration of Latino culture and a cultural look at national identity and civil rights,” Dreyer-Lude said. “Should we arm our teachers to keep our students safe? Is it ever acceptable to engage in racial profiling? Can we fix our broken education and immigration systems? These are some of questions our story will engage.”
Romero, an award-winning playwright, has had work presented at the Alley Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Kennedy Center and across the U.S. and abroad. A 2012-2013 Djerassi Fellow in playwriting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Romero has taught at Northwestern University, the University of Arizona and Linfield College and is a New Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. April 5-6 and April 12-13, with a 2 p.m. matinee April 13. Tickets are $11 students/seniors and $13 general. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the box office in the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, 430 College Ave.; call 607-254-ARTS; or see www.schwartztickets.com.
"Mother of Exiles/Madre de Migrantes" is sponsored by Teatrotaller, the Latino Studies Program, The Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, The University Lecture Series, Cornell Council for the Arts, the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives and the Mexican Graduate Students Association.