Love, family and immigration are just a few of the complex subjects that take center stage in “Los Dreamers,” University Theatre’s latest production. The play, written by Mónica Sánchez and directed by College of Arts and Sciences Theatre Arts Professor Malek Najjar, opens May 22 and runs through June 7 in the Robinson Theatre.
While the play is based on a dramatic subject, it’s been categorized as a dramedy — a drama and a romantic comedy.
In “Los Dreamers,” the plot revolves around Scoobi trying to secure American citizenship. As an undocumented law student, she marries Dylan O’Reilly for citizenship. Petra, her mother, is a former revolutionary in the Zapatista rebellion of 1994 and undocumented. Also part of the story is Roko, the soldier-ghost of Scoobi’s soulmate.
This odd trio navigates personal and political borders on the heels of Scoobi’s marriage of inconvenience to Dylan.
When asked why he wanted to direct this specific play, Najjar, said, “There has been such a dehumanization of immigrants, especially Latine immigrants, that it makes it paramount to re-humanize these people for our audiences. This play reminds us that borders are human made, and that just because a nation has created a demarcation known as a border, it cannot erase the thousands of years of history that predate that border.”
Sánchez has said her play isn’t about issues but rather attempting to reveal a story of causes and effects in relationships and circumstances. Najjar elaborated further and said the production asks us what are the true causes of our societal problems and what are the effects of scapegoating a particular cultural group for those causes.
Representation in set design and casting
In addition to the present, “Los Dreamers” flashes back to 1994 in Chiapas, Mexico. It was the time and place of Scoobi’s conception and birth and the uprising of the indigenous EZLN (the Zapatistas).
“We have conducted research into the Zapatista movement in Chiapas, Mexico, into the Latine cultures of New Mexico, and we have worked to assure that we accurately represent the culture presented in this play,” said Najjar. “The design is minimalistic, poetic and dream-like.”
Representation was another important commitment Najjar made as the director.
“This production highlights the talents of nine Latine UO students and alumni,” he said. “These students represent the hopes and dreams of their immigrant families. We are so fortunate to have these students join us for this production.”
The art for the poster is also representative and inclusive. The Theatre Arts department contracted artist Seberiana Lopez BFA ’25 (art and technology) to create the art for the show’s poster. Lopez identifies as a Chicana.
Performance details and how to get tickets
The show features a cast of students: Laila Ortega '24 as Petra; Monse Quesada Gonzalez '26 as Scoobi aka Penelope; Manny Rojas Meza '28 as Roko; Evan Stalnaker '27 as Dylan; Aixa Gutiérrez '26 as Young Petra; Kiana Sarai Gutierrez Calderon '26 as Adela; Victor Rodriguez '28 as Ramiro; Isabel Lopez as Güera; Matias Crespo '28 as Martínez; Marcos Ortiz as Zacarías aka Zack; and Percy Johnson '28 as ICE Agent.
Student members of the production team include: Akash Dhruva '26, assistant director; Ifti Shahriar Raian, assistant director and dramaturg; Trevor Tarantino '26, assistant director; Elle Thompson '26, assistant director and intimacy coordinator; Emma-Jade Bui '26, co-costume designer; Emma Kirby '26, co-costume designer; Leo Pesquera, lighting designer; Ryan Jansen '26, assistant scenic designer; Oliver Twitchell '26, props designer; Paige Semple '27, assistant props designer; Farrine Leslie '26, stage manager; Elora Leverentz, assistant stage manager; Shynell Kellman '26, assistant stage manager.
Faculty members of the production team include Malek Najjar, director; Mary Jungels Goodyear, scenic designer; and Bradley Branam, technical director and sound designer.
“Los Dreamers” runs in Robinson Theatre on May 22, 23, 29, 30, 31*, Jun. 5, 6, 7* (evening performances at 7:30 p.m.; *matinees at 2 p.m.). Tickets are available through the University Theatre box office .