Arts & Healing Arts & Healing Arts for Military Veterans Arts for Military Veterans By Amber Robinson By Amber Robinson
Unique, multi-room performance pays tribute to the Latinx women of World War II Some 500,000 Latinx immigrants served in World War II. For many of these new citizens it was the first time they felt like they really belonged and felt American. In fact, Mexican immigrants were a large support during the war, their actions helping the U.S. and their allies toward victory. It was a source of great pride for latinos but, Latina’s who also contributed greatly to the war effort. This month, TuYo Theatre will present a very unique play about some of these latinas, their heritage and service to the war effort. “On Her Shoulders We Stand” will debut at the Bread & Salt Gallery in Barrio Logan on Feb. 6. It will spotlight latinas in varying roles as they find purpose and identity through their contributions to World War II. Whether as a nurse or a mechanic, WWII gave latina women new opportunities. “WWII was this pocket of time where a latina could change the definition of who they could be,” said Dr. Maria Patrice Amon, who wrote the play. She says before the war, representation of Mexican mothers was dismal. It was said they had too many kids, they were bad mothers. “But, during the war that narrative changed to ‘Mexican mothers have so much to give.,” said Amon. Amon, who has produced other shows at TuYo and is the Associate Artistic Director and Latinx Projects Producer at San Diego Repertory Theatre, said the play was inspired by her grandmother. “My gramma was a tiny little mexican woman and one day in conversation she just nonchalantly mentioned that she was a riveter!,” said Amon. Amon says she couldn’t imagine her “tiny gramma” working on those giant engines. From there Amon began to research the lives of other women like her Mexican grandmother. The women in her play are based on actual people. 28
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What makes the play especially unique, though, is the way it is set up for viewing. “In a normal play, the audience sits and the actors come to them to perform, but in this play, the audience goes to the actors,” said Amon. Confused? What that means is for “On Her Shoulders We Stand” audience members will be ushered into a series of seven rooms, one after the other, each containing a different scene of the play. Audiences will rotate through the rooms in small groups ranging from one to four people. The last room of the play will be a gallery of artwork by San Diego women veteran artists inspired by the Latina women of the play and of the era. Audience members will be in much closer proximity to the actors, but in much lesser numbers, making patrons feel like a part of the scene around them. Amon says there is one message she wishes her characters to share with audiences.
“I hope they share a message of presence,” said Amon. “Our history, our contributions to war are so much wider than most know.” The mission of TuYo Theatre is to create and produce theatre in the San Diego area that tells stories from and by diverse Latinx perspectives. To learn more about TuYo and get tickets for their upcoming show go to www.tuyotheatre.org. Note to readers: I am proud to have three pieces of work in the gallery of this show.
