SPF 12: Waiting for Godínez
Each night, immigration officials kidnap Jesús and throw him in a cage with the intent of deporting him. But each time, Jesús escapes and makes it back to the city park to be with Isabel to wait for the mysterious Godínez. Inspired by Beckett’s iconic Godot play but with humor deeply steeped in Latinx culture, Waiting for Godínez explores the meaning—and absurdities—of identity and belonging.
Development
Playwrights’ Arena Summer Reading Series (July 5, 2020)
Daniel A. Olivas is an award-winning author of nine books of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry including, The King of Lighting Fixtures: Stories (University of Arizona Press), and Crossing the Border: Collected Poems (Pact Press). His first full-length play, Waiting for Godínez, was selected for the Playwrights’ Arena Summer Reading Series (2020), and The Road Theatre’s Twelfth Annual Playwrights Festival (2021). Olivas was selected for Circle X Theatre Company’s inaugural Emerging Playwrights Group to adapt his acclaimed 2011 novel, The Book of Want (University of Arizona Press), for a staged reading in 2021. He received his degree in English literature from Stanford University, and law degree from UCLA. By day, Olivas is an attorney and makes his home in Southern California with his wife.
A Southern California native, is a professional versatile theatre artist whose mission is to model, share, and create theatre-making opportunities for and with her community. A CalArts alum, she’s been recognized as a 2021&’20 Woman of Distinction (Senate District 34), 2020 Hispanic Lifestyle Latina of Influence Honoree, Community Engagement “COVID-19 ArtistGrant” Awardee, “People to Watch” by American Theatre Magazine, and “Best [Artistic] Director” and “Person of Interest” by OC Weekly. As the founding artistic director of Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, she and the ensemble are artists-in-residence of CSUF’s Grand Central Arts Center. Under Guerrero’s leadership, the organization serves as an incubator for excluded voices in theater by providing programming and guidance in the art of storytelling. Recently her new play “Have To Believe We Are Magic” was featured in Teatro Vivo’s Austin Latinx NewPlay Festival and Tu y Yo Theatre(CSUSM) Project. www.teatroguerrero.com @guerreroprincess @teatroguerrero
“Waiting for Godínez”
Isabel (Chavalita) – Presciliana Esparolini*
Jesús (Chuy) – Richard Soto
Piso – Frank Collison*
Afortunada – Rebecca Bermudez
Child – Citlalli “Lalli” Sanchez
Stage Directions – Christine Joëlle*
*Road Company Member