Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
“We often forget the power of reading,” said Grand Canyon University alumna Bertha Cortes, director of of the theatre department's new production, "Tomás and the Library Lady."
The play opens tonight in the College of Arts and Media's BlackBox Theatre for a two-weekend run.
Cortes hopes after watching the play, the audience will walk away with a renewed appreciation for literature.
"Tomás and the Library Lady," the theatre department's second production of the season, is based on the true story of Tomás Rivera, who was a migrant worker until he graduated from college, became a poet, and later, a college professor.
Assistant Dean of Theatre and Dance William Symington said the department selected this play, though not everyone will be familiar with it, because it continues to resonate with audiences, given its themes related to migrant workers. It also inspires a love for reading.
The original play featured a two-character cast, but Cortes extended it to eight, increasing the complexity of staging.
“Some of the characters never leave the stage,” she said. "It's a one-act, so it just goes from beginning to end."
Finding the entrances and exits in the classroom-sized space of the BlackBox Theatre was also one of the challenges for the cast, as was the show’s fast-pace. With minimal breaks between scenes, both lead actors, and Cortes herself, had to stay focused, especially as scenes quickly transitioned from one library setting to another.
The story, set in the 1940s, is told through the lens of three children who find a storybook about Tomás and his life growing up in a migrant family. They read about how Tomás and his family leave Texas to seek work in Iowa. They make a home out of a chicken coop and gather corn from the fields.
Cortes hopes the play will remind theatre-goers of how the labor of migrant workers is often forgotten. She emphasized that our food often comes from the work of migrants.
“The life of a migrant worker is difficult, but it’s such an important job,” Cortes said.
The cast, referred to in this production as "the players," are integral to the storytelling, performing scene changes, creating sound effects, and bringing a sense of imagination and creativity to the stage. The players also interact with the audience as they sing, “Will Life Get Better Someday?”
When considering performers for the play, Cortes wanted keep it culturally authentic by including actors who speak Spanish, as well as Hispanic songs and costumes.
Though English was not Tomás' first language, he found a love for books through the help of a librarian. Kaitlyn Jacobson, who plays the library lady, shows patience with Tomás as she teaches him how to read.
“I think that's a great message for everyone to just always be more patient, especially, with those who do not speak English as their first language,” Jacobson said.
The play takes a turn from the original storyline by including a character called the nightmare teacher to provide more depth and conflict, Cortes said. Every time Tomás falls asleep, he dreams of a teacher yelling at him because he does not speak English. “Say it: I will not be lazy or speak Spanish,” the nightmare teacher tells him.
Tomás finds the courage to fight off his nightmares by becoming confident in reading and learning English.
Playing the role of young Tomás presented unique challenges for Damien Martinez.
"Acting goofy was not my natural instinct," he said, "but acting is my passion, so I knew I had to overcome the challenge."
Cortes hopes that in an iPad culture, "Tomás and the Library Lady" will remind everyone of the magic of books, imagination, resilience, and the life-altering potential of literacy. As Tomás in the play sings, “Libros, libros, libros, I love to read libros / Libros, libros, libros, that's what I need / Libros, libros, libros, carry me away," the message is clear — books have the power to carry us away and open new worlds.
GCU student writer Leandra Lepp can be reached at [email protected]
***
Related content:
GCU News: Ethington Theatre has hit its mark as a GCU mainstay over its 50 years
GCU News: From beasts to menageries, GCU theatre to stage something for everyone
