Students’ inspiring ‘Las Memorias’ in fourth season
Photos show performances from 2012 “Las Memorias.”
PULLMAN, Wash. – Twenty high school students will take the stage this month in four Washington communities to share pieces of their life stories.Students from Warden, Pateros, Mabton and Everett are writing about their life experiences and how those experiences have helped shape them as people. The students will choose pieces of their writings to develop into on-stage performances.
The public is invited to attend any of the free performances:
Pullman, Aug. 15, 16 (7 p.m. both shows), in Washington State University’s Jones Theater in Daggy Hall.
Moses Lake, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., in Big Bend Community College’s Wallenstein Theater.
Wenatchee, Aug. 30, 10 a.m., in the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee.
Yakima, Aug. 30, 7 p.m., in the Allied Arts Center.
Moses Lake, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., in Big Bend Community College’s Wallenstein Theater.
Wenatchee, Aug. 30, 10 a.m., in the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee.
Yakima, Aug. 30, 7 p.m., in the Allied Arts Center.
The vision for “Las Memorias,” now in its fourth year, came from John Fraire, WSU vice president for student affairs and enrollment. He grew up in the Mexican-American neighborhoods of Gary, Ind. He is a published playwright, founder of the New Latino Visions Theatre Company and has worked with the Castillo Theatre in New York City.Former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire appointed him to a second term as a Washington State Arts Commissioner.
Fraire said one of the key components of the program is bringing together the students and their writings with professional theater personnel.
“The students bring an incredible amount of enthusiasm and creativity to the process,” he said. “With the formal training we provide and a lot of rehearsing, they blossom into confident orators who deeply inspire their audiences with their stories.”
“Las Memorias” for 2013 will be directed by Mary Trotter, a member of WSU Performing Arts. WSU theater instructor and playwright Ben Gonzales will provide expertise in stage design and lighting.
