~ By Miguel Gastelum, communications specialist for the Department of Theatre Arts, reprinted from FresnoStateNews.com
University Theatre is pleased to present the Fresno premiere of Octavio Solis’ “Lydia” under the direction of Dr. Gina Sandí-Díaz, professor of Latinx Theatre at Fresno State. The production will run March 16-24 in the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre in the Speech Arts Building at Fresno State.
Set against the backdrop of El Paso, Texas, in the early 1970s, “Lydia” centers on a Mexican-American family and Lydia, the undocumented immigrant the family hires as a maid to help care for a disabled daughter. The play uses surprising plot twists to explore scapegoating, family dynamics and intersected identities.
Originally from Costa Rica, Dr. Sandí-Díaz recently received her Ph.D. in theatre from the University of Kansas. Within the department, she specializes in Latinx theatre and will become a regular director for University Theatre.
“I feel blessed to be working with such a talented team of students and designers that are on top of their game and are making this a very meaningful creative process,” Sandí-Díaz said about the upcoming production. “‘Lydia’ has actually sparked very interesting conversation among us about what it means to be an immigrant and an ‘other’ in this country.”
The cast includes Ruby Arreguin, Rodolfo Robles Cruz, Jacob Gonzalez, Kenia Morales, Andrew Navarrete, Daniel Serrano and Dalicia Torrecillas.
Due to adult language and situations, “Lydia” is intended for mature audiences only.
Tickets are $17 for adults; $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military; and $10 for students. Group rates are available for groups of 20 or more. Box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays and one hour before each performance.
Parking is free for shows on Friday through Sunday night. For shows on Tuesday through Thursday night, parking permits are required and can be purchased at dispensers in parking lots on campus.
For more information, contact the box office at 559.278.2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 