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Culture and the
Arts are vital to
the education of our young people. SWOP uses the theatre, music and artistic
expression to engage young people in the movement for racial and gender equality
and social and economic justice. "The Arts can be a powerful tool to
help young people realize problems and create change in their communities,"
says actor and SWOP organzer Fernando Abeyta. SWOP
uses theatre as a tool to educate our communities about issues that affect
us.
Teatro SWOPista's first production, Zoot Suit 2000, an adaption of Luis Valdez' orginal Zoot Suit, made the relation to discrimation young Chicanos were feeling in the '40s for the clothes they wore to the baggy pants of today.
The play was done to highlight a campaign against discrimination at local malls and schools. Zoot Suit 2000 was a success as we had to turn people away at the door. Attendees even came adorned in costume.
Teatro SWOPista's latest
production,
La Victima, was named on the "12 best-of-2000" plays by a
local critic. La Victima highlighted the struggles of one family's
plight on both sides of the U.S./ Mexico border. The play was designed to
promote solidarity with our brothers and sisters on both sides of the border.
As one cast member put it, "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed
us.
