Download to read press release about our 12th Annual SpringFEST!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2012
Contact: Melissa Woodrow
Phone: (831) 755-6984
Email: [email protected]
AUTHOR: Daniel Tarker
TWS’ SpringFEST 2012 Celebrates Community Voices
Salinas, CA
As William Shakespeare wrote in ”Hamlet”, the purpose of theatre is to “to hold as ‘twere the
mirror up to nature, to show virtue her feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and
body of the time his form and pressure.”
A brief scan of the projects The Western Stage has lined up for its annual SpringFEST program at
Hartnell College clearly reveals this is the intent of the artists involved — to hold up a mirror to
society and humanity by asking a diverse range of local artists to share their voices in an eclectic
mix of performance pieces reflecting the multi-cultural make-up of our world.
The Politics of Self Expression
There is power in a single voice — especially when it speaks out in good conscience against the
status quo. Four of the SpringFEST 2012 events bring often marginalized voices like those of
equal rights activists, immigrants, women’s rights leaders, and the Salinas community into the
arena.
“Voices of a People’s History”, playing Saturday March 10 at 7:30 pm and Sunday March 11 at
1:30 pm in the studio theatre, draws on the texts of late Professor Howard Zinn from his
landmark work “A People’s History of America” to create a theatrical presentation of 18 voices
through American history who have fought for equal rights in politics, labor, and society as a
whole.
“Seven”, playing Friday and Saturday March 16 and 17 at 7:30 pm and Sunday March 18 at 1:30
pm, is a groundbreaking docudrama written about seven female leaders in the Vital Voices
Global Leadership network from Russia, Guatemala, Nigeria, Pakistan, Cambodia, Northern
Ireland, and Afghanistan featuring TWS actors Joyce Sherry, Donna Federico, Malinda deRouen,
Dawn Flood Fenton, Jani Davis, Maria-Elena Cordero and Melissa Chin-Parker.
“Can I Get a Witness”, playing Saturday March 24 at 7:30 pm and Sunday March 25 at 1:30 pm,
offers a glimpse into the lives and struggles of local community members by encouraging local
artists to draw on stories from their own lives to create bold and brave theatrical pieces.
Finally, The Western Stage hosts the National Steinbeck Center’s 2012 Steinbeck Festival, and
its presentation “Voices & Stories: Daughters, Migrants, Foster Mothers, and ‘Real’ Mothers in
California” on May 4 from 12 to 1 pm in the Studio Theater. Author Susan Straight speaks about
her new book “Highwire Moon” about the struggles a young girl faces when her mother is
deported to Oaxaca, Mexico.
Cowboys & Mobsters Take the Stage
Yet, there is levity and laughter planned in SpringFEST 2012 as well.
In partnership with the Monterey Actors’ Collective, TWS presents a staged reading of “A
Farmboy Mantra” written by local theatre veteran Thomas Burkes. Eight stories are weaved
together with both humor and drama about the lives of farm folks living in Texas oil country.
Performances are March 30 and 31 at 7:30 pm and April 1 at 1:30 pm.
On April 21 and 22 at 2 pm, TWS’ “Legacy Players” present their annual showcase featuring
performances by some of the region’s most venerable actors.
And continuing their commitment to serving youth in the community, TWS also offers two
productions for youth including “iBocón” , a special student matinee offered to local school
groups on April 25 and 26 at 10:30 am, and “Bugsy Malone, JR.” presented May 4 at 7:30 pm
and May 5 and 6 at 1:30 pm. “iBocón” by playwright Lisa Loomer tells the story of a young boy
who escapes a totalitarian government in Central America to find a home in Los Angeles, while
“Bugsy Malone, JR” is a musical send-up of 1920’s Chicago written by Alan Parker and Paul
Williams (musical composer of “The Muppet Movie”).
So come celebrate the diverse voices of the Central Coast at The Western Stage in residence at
Hartnell College this spring. More information can be found online at
http://westernstage.com/programs/for-adults/spring-fest/.