Event

Below U. S.

MEMORY WAR THEATER EXPLORES HYBRID IDENTITY IN BELOW U.S.

SEATTLE, WA- Collaborators Manuel Castro and Tikka Sears, Artistic Directors of Memory War Theater, join creative forces again to bring their newest multimedia play, Below U.S., to the Ethnic Cultural Theatre in the University District for three performances from June 2-4.

In Below U.S., Speedy, as he is nicknamed by his friends, seeks to find comfort within his complex identities. Labeled a gringo in Latin America and a Latino in the U.S., he experiences a state of perpetual banishment that makes him feel like an outsider abroad, at home, and even in his own skin. Zorro, Rico Suave, and other iconic stereotypes along with a montage of community voices show up to help or hinder Speedy in wrestling with these ill-fitting representations.

Combining physical theater, video animation by Tess Martin, comedy, shadow imagery and text drawn from interviews with community members, Below U.S. brings powerful, cross-cultural stories that deepen our understanding of the experiences of those living at the borders of cultures, languages, ethnicities and identities in Hybrid America.

Speedy Gonzales, coming to us as a shadow puppet, and other iconic stereotypes battle it out to answer the question "What are you?" The mice are aided and impeded by real and mythical Latino heroes and foes in this original multimedia play created and performed by Manuel Castro and Tikka Sears of Memory War Theater.

Tickets are:
$12 for adults
$10 for Seniors/TPS members/Students
$5 for youth and teens (must present ID at the door)

Performances are June 3 and 4 at 8PM.

Below U.S. is created and produced by Memory War Theater with support from Artist Trust, 4Culture, the Mayor's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and is co-sponsored by the University of Washington School of Social Work. Memory War Theater is a partner project of Shunpike.