ASC Big Read Kick-Off included talk by Luis Valdez (10-19-07)
Luis Valdez
Luis Valdez, nationally recognized playwright, director, and activist, spoke with candor and sincerity as he retold stories of his past and expressed his philosophy of life, the evening of Oct. 12 on the Adams State College Theatre Main Stage.
An Adams State Human Performance and Physical Education senior, Carlos Valencia said he really liked Valdez. "He was a real down-to-earth type of guy," Valencia said. "He had some very good ideas."
Valdez' talk kicked-off the Big Read, a National Endowment for the Arts program, organized by Adams State Associate Professor of Theatre Dr. John Taylor, who said the idea to participate came from Dr. Carol Guerrero-Murphy, chair of the English, Theatre, Communications, and Languages Department. Following her suggestion, Taylor wrote a successful grant, chose the book by Ray Bradbury, "Fahrenheit 451," to center his project around, and began the process of involving campus and community.
Parents read to children during the "celebration of literacy."
Following Valdez' reception, Taylor coordinated a "celebration of literature in our lives." For 22 consecutive hours, individuals read from their chosen literature pieces in the Theatre lobby. This undertaking was adopted by many of the San Luis Valley libraries who joined in the Big Read. The final event of the weekend was a free showing of the film, "Fahrenheit 451." According to Taylor over 100 people watched the film.
"This weekend we started an exciting journey that includes a powerful mix of reading, entertainment, and celebrating community," Taylor said. "I hope that individuals across the valley will join with us as we continue to explore "Fahrenheit 451" through art, poetry, debates, and more."
Professor MacWilliams takes a turn during the Big Read.
Valdez, founder of El Teatro Campesino, was the first Chicano playwright to have work appear on Broadway when Zoot Suit opened in New York in 1979.
"Censorship has been a major theme of my life and work," Valdez said. "I am an American playwright and I sing the song of continental America."
He spoke of his childhood years and how his philosophy was to "turn a negative into a positive." An accident when he was a toddler became an opportunity to "charge my batteries." He said being cast in the school Christmas play, as a first grader, sparked his love of theatre. During rehearsals and preparations, Valdez said he forgot how poor they were and the labor camp his family lived in. Before the play opened, the Valdez family had to move away. He said the unexpected move put a hole in his chest. "All my life I pour stories, scripts, and movies into that hole."
Valencia said Valdez' stories were inspirational. "His talk inspired me to always follow my dreams no matter how hard they come, and never give up on them."
Luis Valdez
As an activist and playwright, Valdez took his early theatre to the fields to inspire the workers to unite for better conditions. His work was often met with resistance - once a loaded gun was held to his head. "My thought was, 'am I willing to die for theatre.' The answer was 'yes,'" Valdez said. "I've been beaten and jailed for doing theatre."
He promoted understanding, diversity, and acceptance among all people and all countries. He said Mexico and the United State should coexist in peace and friendship and the Arab culture has made positive contributions to the world and the US should make an effort to "try and understand their culture, instead of trying to blow it up."
Directing his remarks to the youth in the audience, he said: "The future can be changed. The future belongs to those who can image it." He then recited an Aztec poem in three languages, Aztecan, Spanish, and English.
"Fahrenheit 451" skit
A freshman at Center High School, John Marquez, said Valdez described the Chicano race very well. "It is important to understand Chicanos, such as myself," he said. "Mexican people are like anyone else."
The evening's events included a scene of the spring production "Fahrenheit 451," performed by Adams State theatre students; a poem written and read by Guerrero-Murphy; words of welcome by Representative Rafael Gallegos, Senator Gail Schwartz, and Charlotte Bobicki, representing Senator Ken Salazar; and a "Zoot Suit Dance" performed by Semillas de la Tierra.
Semillas de la Tierra
"The Valdez' were very impressed with the San Luis Valley and the hospitality we showed them," Taylor said. "I am very proud of my college and my community."
The next event in the Big Read is a free showing of "Like Water for Chocolate" at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 in the Adams State Theatre.
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By Linda Relyea
