Four Encounters: an Exploration of Los Vendidos
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Date
2021
Authors
Jaszewski, Jessica
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
This thesis explores how I have encountered Luis Valdez’s 1967 play Los Vendidos as a researcher and allied theatre-maker. I have explored Los Vendidos, how it came to be, how it fits within Chicanx and Latinx theatre, and how I can engage with this work and potentially with other pieces of Latinx theatre. This case study of Luis Valdez’s Los Vendidos initially bore the ultimate goal of producing a framework that describes the best practices for producing this piece, but I ended up building a framework that features tenets of allied theatrical scholarship instead of production as the best form for my current engagement and support. The framework foregrounds respect: for the playwright’s message, for actors and their cultural identity, and to encourage more Latinx language and culture on American stages. Focused allyship is a way in which I can use research to expand my awareness of culture and create a space of inclusion in theatre, especially when encountering plays that utilize negative racial stereotypes as a device to subvert racist ideologies. I have organized my discoveries into a framework guided by my encounters with Los Vendidos. Specific sections of this project consist of four encounters: discovery and interest, dramaturgical, directorial, and framework encounters. These distinctions are based on the flow of my research, and it makes the most sense to me to discuss them in linear order to demonstrate how I came to my conclusions. My first encounter regards my discovery of Los Vendidos and how I understood it to be an exciting piece of theatre that could help me advance my knowledge of Chicanx and Latinx theatre. My second encounter explores the dramaturgical research I conducted to gather knowledge on Luis Valdez and the history of El Teatro Campesino. I explore the influences that collate to create Valdez’s theatre and Los Vendidos. My directorial encounter follows with explorations of character and themes that the play interrogates with ideas aimed toward a production of Los Vendidos. My fourth, and final, encounter is my reflection on the culmination of my prior research and the discoveries I made in the process of research, most notably, my decision to refrain from production. I have used the reflection to lay out my tenets for allied theatre scholarship: connect to the work, collaborate, do your research, stay open, and be flexible. This thesis focuses on my exploration of allied theatre making and the unexpected conclusions I have reached.
Description
57 pages
Keywords
Theatre, Latinx, Chicanx, Allyship