College of Fine and Applied Arts

By Anna Rhodes

The Appalachian State University Department of Theatre and Dance will host a residency by acclaimed Latino playwright Ramon Esquivel Feb. 5–9. During his residency, Esquivel will assist with early rehearsals for the premiere of his new play “The Hero Twins: Blood Race,” as well as speak to several classes in the department. Esquivel will also host a Q&A about his production on Feb. 7 from 5-6:30 p.m. in Chapell Wilson Hall, room 105. The event is free and open to the public.

 While on campus, Esquivel will work with the cast, crew and director of “The Hero Twins: Blood Race” to bring his play to life. The production is loosely based on the Mayan legend of the Hero Twins and deals with issues of prejudice, perseverance and belonging. Through his knowledge and experience, Esquivel will help Appalachian students cultivate intercultural competencies, foster international citizenship and develop competent knowledge on world-wide issues – all aspects of the global learning initiative. He will be meeting with various classes and campus groups to discuss his work as a theatre artist with a Latino perspective and focus on the importance of writing plays for young audiences.

Under the direction of Theatre Professor Teresa Lee, the world premiere of “The Hero Twins: Blood Race” will be performed in the I.G. Greer Studio Theatre on campus April 6, 7 and 8. Additionally, Appalachian Young People’s Theatre (AYPT) will present the production in public schools around the county later this spring for nearly 2,500 young people.

“While attending the ‘Write Now’ event last spring, I experienced the captivating story of Ramon’s play in one of the staged reading performances,” said Lee, who is also AYPT’s director. “I connected with the play’s message, imagery and social relevance immediately, and knew I wanted to produce it through our AYPT touring program. Ramon and I began a dialogue about a possible production and one year later we are on our way!”

Esquivel’s name might be familiar to some in the High Country, as AYPT toured his play “Luna” to area schools and on campus in 2013. Throughout his career, Esquivel’s plays have earned national recognition within the field of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA.) His work has been recognized by the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D. C., the Indiana Repertory Theater in Indianapolis and New Plays for Young Audiences at the Provincetown Playhouse in New York City. Esquivel also received the Aurand Harris Memorial Playwriting Award from the New England Theatre Conference in 2014. He currently serves on the faculty of Central Washington University’s Theater Arts Department and continues to write plays for young audiences that inspire empathy, connection and belonging. 

Esquivel’s residency is supported partially by Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) as a part of the Global Learning Initiative at Appalachian, and by the Department of Theatre and Dance.

For information about “The Hero Twins: Blood Race,” visit theatreanddance.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Theatre and Dance

The Department of Theatre and Dance is one of seven departments housed in Appalachian’s College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its mission is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic co-curricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community and the region.

About Appalachian

Appalachian State University, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian enrolls about 18,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

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Media Contact
Keith Martin
MartinKT1@appstate.edu
704.608.2755

 

 

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