By Rogelio Alvarez
East Los Angeles College will host two of “El Bracero,” a one-act mariachi opera, highlighting the hardships of the Bracero Program.
It will take place tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m in the Ingalls Auditorium.
“We’re proud to bring ‘El Bracero’ to East Los Angeles as part of our Cinco de Mayo festivities. ‘El Bracero’ dramatically portrays the obstacles legal farmworkers faced in the United States,” ELAC President Marvin Martinez said in a press release.
The play will be in Spanish with English subtitles. will feature Ballet Folklorico Mestizo dancing to the music of Mariachi Aguilas de Mexico.
“Our community really supported our production,” director Miguel Orozco said.
The play is about a grandfather retelling the stories of his life as a farm worker to his grandson, who’s doing a family history research project.
ELAC Associated Student Union members Gilbert Vasquez, Adrian Caceras and Angel Gonzales have a role in the opening piece, portraying braceros and reading the names of their family who were braceros.
“It’s a story of a lot of sacrifice and hard work. The braceros were legal farmworkers, not illegal, legal. They were brought from Mexico to the United States to help the United States, when they were in World War II. There was a lack of farm workers in the United States to pick the crops. The braceros played a huge role in making sure the United States kept its food supply and the agricultural business afloat,” Orozco said.
The 2:30 p.m. matinee, sponsored by ELAC ASU, is free for all students.
East Los Angeles College Foundation is hosting the 7:30 p.m performance to raise money for scholarships.
Rosalinda Verde, writer of the play, was inspired by the stories she heard from her great-grandfather and her friend’s father, who were both in the Bracero Program.
“It has three different families woven into one storyline. It’s really close to the heart and fun to watch,” Verde said.
First premiering at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, “El Bracero” has sold out each of its performances.
Tomorrow’s performances will be the first time the play is shown inside a theater.
“It was first performed outdoors. When we perform inside the theater, we can add different elements to it, like more lighting,” Orozco said
Before the play, Taste of ELAC, a food-tasting event, will include food, tequila and wine tasting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ingalls Auditorium
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance can be purchased for $15 for a seat in the back section, $20 for center and $25 for front section online at elac-foundation.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the Learning Assistance Center in room E3-280, ELAC Corporate Center and ELAC South Gate Campus.
“The immigrant story touches everybody, whether you’re Hispanic, Chinese or Japanese. (This is) The story of how we came here, and maybe this is the Hispanic viewpoint, but I feel these stories are very universal, the need to take care of your family,” Verde said.
Rosalinda Verde, writer, was inspired by the stories she heard from her great-grandfather and her friend’s father, who were both in the Bracero Program.
“It has three different families woven into one storyline. It’s really close to the heart and fun to watch,” Verde said.
First premiering at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center, “El Bracero” has sold out each of its performances.
Tomorrow’s performances will be the first time the play is shown inside a theater.
“It was first performed outdoors. When we perform inside the theater, we can add different elements to it, like more lighting,” Orozco said
Taste of ELAC, a food-tasting event, will include food, tequila and wine tasting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ingalls Auditorium before the play.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance can be purchased for $15 for a seat in the back section, $20 for center and $25 for front section online at elac-foundation.org.
Tickets can also be purchased at the Learning Assistance Center in room E3-280, ELAC Corporate Center and ELAC South Gate Educational Center.
“The immigrant story touches everybody, whether you’re Hispanic, Chinese or Japanese,” Verde said. “(This is) the story of how we came here, and maybe this is the Hispanic viewpoint, but I feel these stories are very universal, the need to take care of your family.”