What Killed Marcelo Lucero?
Play About Immigration and Hate Calls Advocates to the Stage
Suffolk County, Brentwood , N.Y. -- After attracting the attention of national media last fall, “What Killed Marcelo Lucero?” – a play that tackles the thorny issues of immigration and hate on Long Island – will add a new dimension this spring: After each performance, a panel of immigration advocates and experts will work with the audience to develop a deeper understanding of immigration issues.
“What Killed Marcelo Lucero?” is the innovative brainchild of the Brentwood-based experimental theater group Teatro Yerbabruja. An important part of the play -- which explores the breadth of anti-Latino sentiment on Long Island , and its costs to Latinos and the community as a whole -- is audience participation. After each performance, those in attendance are invited to discuss alternative strategies for addressing immigration tensions in their communities.
This spring, however, the play’s director, Margarita Espada, decided to invite local immigration advocates to join the post-performance discussions, and she’s enlisted the assistance of the Long Island Immigrant Alliance and Long Island Wins to connect with advocates.
“Each performance of the play brings a rush of emotions and opinions about immigration to the surface,” says Espada. “We wanted advocates to be there to discuss immigration tensions on Long Island by emphasizing shared values and respectful dialogue. In the end, that will help us build strong communities."
The play is based on the November 2008 murder of Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero in Patchogue , N.Y. Lucero was attacked and stabbed to death by a gang of teenagers who were out “beaner hopping” -- slang for when the young men would hunt down and attack Latinos.
The murder, along with the tepid response by some local government officials, triggered outrage that spread well beyond the Long Island village where the crime occurred. While that outrage spurred political action, it also stirred local artists like Teatro Yerbabruja to engage the community in search of solutions.
The concept of engaging audience members in such discussions was hugely successful during the initial run of “What Killed Marcelo Lucero?” last fall. In an effort to ensure that the post-performance dialogues about racism and hate crimes are productive, Espada reached out to immigrant advocates, who agreed with her idea.
Performances Information:
March 15, Suffolk Community College, Brentwood Campus , 7:00 pm
Address: Crooked Hill Rd, Brentwood, Theater Building (631) 851-6700
Contact: Mr. Norman Daniels : 631-851-6341
http://www.longislandwins.org/index.php/action_center/event_detail/what_killed_marcelo_lucero/
March 19 - Inwood - Lady of Good Counsel Church, 7:30 pm
Address: 68 Wanser Avenue,Inwood, NY 11096
Tel: 516-239-0953, Fax: 516-239-0386
Rev. Lawrence Duncklee Pastor
http://www.longislandwins.org/index.php/action_center/event_detail/what_killed_marcelo_lucero1/
March 25 - Wyandanch High School- 7:00pm
Address: 54 S 32nd St, Wyandanch, NY 11798-2632
Mr. Hodge Principal Wyandanch HS 631-870-0450
Mr. Frank Pomata, GEAR UP 516-570-6645
http://www.longislandwins.org/index.php/action_center/event_detail/what_killed_marcelo_lucero2/
April 9 - Adelphi University, Garden City- 7:00pm
1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530-0701
UNC Meeting Room 313
Ms.Yana Kusayeva,Assistant Director Levermore Global Scholars Program
tel: (516) 877-4183
http://www.longislandwins.org/index.php/action_center/event_detail/what_killed_marcelo_lucero3/
This play is made possible in part with public funds from NYSCA, Legislator Ricardo Montano, and the Long Island Unitarian Universalism Fund.
Are performances are free !
Press Contacts:
Margarita Espada
631-626-3603
teatroyerbabruja@yahoo.com
Steve Bard
631-231-7460
sbardesq@aol.co
Margarita Espada
Artistic Director
Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja Inc.
longislandwins.com is live blogging from the trial of Marcelo Lucero's accused killer.
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