By Kevin Camargo
The play, “Chavez Ravine,” will showcase in the Proscenium Theater starting May 18 at 8 p.m. There will be eight total functions of the play for two weekends.
“Chavez Ravine” is written by Culture Clash and is being directed by Ramiro Segovia.
The play will show the lives of people before and after Dodger Stadium was built on what used to be Chavez Ravine.
“The play tackles gentrification, race and class divisions, urban power structures, McCarthyism, community identity and the search for a home, among other issues,” said Segovia.
Segovia said that auditions for the play occurred last November, while rehearsals started late March.
“I must say, I am extremely impressed with the actors and their dedication in their research and efforts toward the production,” Segovia said.
“There has been many times that I have walked by the theater during the day before rehearsals and have discovered the cast working together on stage.”
This is the first play that Segovia directs at East Los Angeles College. But he is not the only newly experienced person at ELAC.
“It’s very interesting because I’ve assisted stage management, so I kind of gone through the process before.
But doing it with Ramiro is a complete different experience because he is not used to the department,” said stage manager Rachel Peralta.
Peralta has been at ELAC for a year, but this is the first play she executes as a stage manager.
“We kind of had to learn and grow together, being our first production. It was nice in a sense that we really are the mom and dad of the show,” said Peralta.
Peralta said she loves that the play is bringing back the awareness of it into a new generation.
“It’s important to bring cultural plays into our community so that we remember, educate and even celebrate,” said Segovia. “Stories like the Battle of Chavez Ravine reminds us that we all have a voice and together we can build positive communities through storytelling.”
“Chavez Ravine” tickets are now being sold in the P2 building. General Admission is $10 and $12 at the door. ASU card students tickets are $8.