More than two decades in, Rainbow Theater isn’t backing down from their brutally honest approach
Rainbow Theater is known for grappling with topics that most people avoid even talking about. This year will be no different, as the UCSC group dives head-first into the touchy topics of race, gender, sex, class, and culture again this year with its annual three-week production series. Now in its 21st year, Rainbow is still the only multicultural theater arts troupe in the UC system, and these students are completely unafraid to get under your skin.
“They’ve been intensely working really hard and they really want to showcase their talents and energize the community,” says company producer Don Williams, speaking in a volume slightly under a yell, via speaker phone so that our conversation can include Rainbow members Miguel Sarabia and Aleya Caballero. “The arts are a great tool for gaining an understanding of various cultures. It sets up an avenue of exchange of ideas and identities. All cultures really bring something to the table and it’s high time that we as a people, across the board here at the university, start to embrace that,” he says.
We asked the three of them to give us a preview of Rainbow’s new season, which starts Nov. 13.
PROGRAM A — Nov. 13, 15, 21
“Intimate Apparel”: Written by Lynn Nottage, “Intimate Apparel” follows Esther, a seamstress in 1905, who makes lingerie for upper class New York City women. “She falls in love with this young man from Panama, so there’s this love exchange that goes on, and yet she’s not only dressing a call woman, she’s also dealing with a high class woman, and both like the same kind of clothing,” says Williams. “It’s a story that deals with relationships and betrayal—and broken hearts.”
“Goodbye My Feleni”: Written by David F.Mamea, “The Asian Pacific Islander play is based on the war,” says Miguel Sarabia, UCSC student and director for Poet’s Corner. Set in 1942, the piece is introspective. “It’s focusing more on the mental than what’s going on outside. There are flashback scenes about the war, and there are a lot of scenes where they’re fighting against each other,” he says. Aleya Caballero, also a student and cast member in “Radio Mambo,” chimes in: “It’s about the brotherhood of the soldiers and their relationships in the army.”
PROGRAM B — Nov. 14, 16, 22
“Radio Mambo: Culture Clash Invades Miami”: Actress Aleya Caballero explains that this show is socially critical. “It’s a satire about culture and class,” she says. The play features a series of vignettes adapted from taped interviews in Miami, chronicling the unique experiences of people from all ethnicities and backgrounds—Haitians, Bahamians, Cubans, and every other ingredient in the mixed cultural stew of the Florida city. “Originally the play was supposed to be performed by three men but we have a really diverse cast of men and women of different racial backgrounds to play each of the individual roles,” says Caballero.
Poet’s Corner: Unlike the other plays in this month’s production, which are student acted and directed, Poet’s Corner is written entirely by student, and every kind of art form is encouraged. “This collective is 13 poets and they all have different talents. It’s all based on the theme of growth,” says Sarabia, “How are you going to grow from what you’re saying?” Williams adds that Poet’s Corner is one of the most popular acts because students describe their own experiences, sometimes painful, sometimes humorous, which often deal with difficult topics. “Anyone who comes to this show will walk away with a greater understanding about themselves. The students work hard on reflecting a variety of issues that affect them individually and culturally,” he says.
Program C — Nov. 5-7
“Big, Bad and Beautiful”: Written by Alicia Fernandez, “The title is really what the play’s about—it’s about larger people and embracing their beauty, breaking from societal norms,” says Caballero, describing the collection of vignettes, poems, and comedic sketches. “Everyone in the cast has a really high bar for themselves, and I’m excited to see them surpass what we expect.” The individual parts focus on the experience of being overweight in a society that claims to champion individuality. It shows that women “of size” can be equally sexy, fun, and raucous.
“Rainbot”: Closing the Rainbow Theater program will be a medley of dance and movement. “It’s the baby of Rainbow coming into its second year of existence,” says Williams. “It will definitely consume you with rhythms and a variety of dance styles from around the world.” Also completely student-led, Rainbot will feature Rainbow’s dance troupe as well as other groups from UCSC for a show of various genres. “You will find some stepping, some hip-hop, and a variety of other forms.”
Info: All shows will be held at Cultural Arts and Diversity Resource Center at UCSC, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. Free for students, $7-$10 general admission. PHOTO: The ‘Poet’s Corner’ production is often called “the engine of Rainbow” because the students’ works take a personal approach to global issues. DEVINNE VAUGHN
