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TESTIMONIALS

Julianna Ojeda (Undergraduate Director/Actor Alumni)

This is my 7th quarter with BBTC and my 2nd quarter with the class. It is also the first

time I have had less time on campus, which translated to less time with BBTC. That is

why I am so glad I had the course. The class made it possible for me to still be involved

because it provided more opportunity. The course provided a place to further discuss

Chicano theatre and my culture. I learned more about myself and had opportunity to talk

about things that are important to my identity. I had a safe place to discuss where I come

from and how that influences me as a theatre student. This course and BBTC has had a

huge impact in my career at UCI. BBTC made me feel like UCI is where I belong and

deserve to be.

 

Entering my final quarter at UCI I am glad that I had a group like BBTC and a course

like this. I made many networking connections in the Latino theatre community through

BBTC and the course because of guest speakers that were brought in and internship

opportunities the group sounds out regularly. I feel better equipped and prepared for the

world outside of UCI because everything I have learned from Patrice Amon and Lonnie

Alcaraz.

 

This past quarter we focused on Lydia by Octavio Solis. Spending a quarter on one play

taught me a new way to approach a directing project. We spent time learning everything

about this play and that is what you need to do to be prepared to direct. I am excited to

see what our group will do with this production.

 

Jojo Siu (Graduate Costume Designer Alumni)

This year has been a general year of change for me. My involvement in brown bag

reflected my desire to pursue more ensemble theatre work that was challenging and

thought-provoking and I am really excited to be a part of. Being in this class has

opened up my mind a lot of Chicano theatre in general and understanding the world and

culture that informs the script.

 

I'm really looking forward to the ways Lydia will challenge and push me. The story itself

pushes a lot of boundaries and I am excited to work with the actors to help them identify

with and develop their personalities as these people. I think there will be a lot of costume

practicalities which will be interesting to explore but I also loved that this class provided

me with some great jumping off points for inspiration. 

Letty Mendoza (Undergraduate Actor Alumni)

The Chicano theater class has really improved the way I think about plays. Taking this

class has given me more confidence in the way I interpret certain things because after

openly stating it and having a discussion about it I learned that others think the same way

I do. I loved hearing others people’s opinions and the class offers an open environment so

that everyone is comfortable giving their opinions which allowed us to learn from each

other. When it came to learning about Lydia it was such a great opportunity to learn

about the play we would be putting on because it opened everyone up to the different

aspects that go on when putting together a show. The actors got to learn about the design

aspects, the designers about the acting and everyone got to discuss how some directors go

about looking into the different themes and symbols within a play. I think it allowed me

to get a better understanding of the play which I hope will in turn help me in whatever

aspect of the play I get a chance to be a part of.

 

When it comes to Brown Bag, this group has really opened me up to not only some great

works, but to some great people. Getting to work with so many different people with

different experiences and opinions has really helped me grow as an artist. I love that this

group is really an ensemble group and that is proven by the fact that this year we were

allowed to pick the play we would produce. I love the play we picked and I think that

having had the chance to pick it makes the group more excited to get it started. I hope

that by being a part of Lydia from getting to pick it, learning about it, and finally putting

it on will help me appreciate the full process of putting together a show.

 

Being a part of Thomas and the Library Lady was a really interesting experience. I had a

little bit of experience doing children’s shows so I was excited to do it again. Getting cast

as the Library Lady gave me a chance to try to work with an accent which, though very

challenging at times, I think I successfully worked with it. Because we had issues with a

stage manager I also got the chance to semi take on that role which really gave me an

appreciation for the responsibilities that a stage manager had. Doing the acting and the

stage managing made this show really tiring but in the end really worthwhile once it all

came together.

 

Marc Steele (Undergraduate Actor Alumni)

This course has shown me how to look into plays deeper and to have meaningful

discussions about what we read. I have learned to analyze a play better. This analyzation

has helped me to gain a better appreciation for what an author is trying to portray to the

audience, and to then look at ways to actually perform it after analyzation.

The play "Lydia" has allowed me to look into Chicano culture, with a reflective eye on

the 70's, and how it was a pivotal period for Chica's in the United States. Its look at

immigration and how 1st generation Americans see our country. I look forward to it

being performed and seeing how it can influence a new generation of Chica's and first

generation immigrants. 

 

Raul Martinez (Undergraduate Actor/Scenic Alumni)

This new academic year with brown bag has been a little different for me than last year. I

was able to help design Julianna's DCP (Real Women Have Curves) during fall quarter

which was my first show that I set designed. It was a good way for a lot of member of

Brown Bag to work together again. This class has gone into a deeper view of the meaning

behind a play and all of the possible outcomes and interpretations that can arise. The class

has made me think outside of the box on the plays that we have read and really think

about what a character development is like.

 

As a performer I hope that the production will help me further develop my craft as well

as gain experience and work with close friends. I felt a little unhappy when I read Lydia

for the first time because I have to admit that it's a weird play. However, once we started

analyzing the character, time period, and motives that drive the play, then the real

meaning started to show for me. The play is pretty complex plot-wise with a lot of turns,

but also the nature of the play is different than what I have seen in Brown Bag. The play

pushes on a lot of taboos of our culture and society in general, which I am curious to see

how far the performers can go to make this production a success.

As an actor I am looking to grow in my character development in order to embody a

character more accurately. This class did help me learn ways to questions the motives

behind a characters action and in this production, what's the driving force behind a

character. I do wish we had a little more time to talk about the play and try to explore

new theories and go deeper on certain characters that we didn't really touch on as equally

as with others. I am eager to see the outcome of Lydia and see where this production will

lead to.

 

Nicole Cowans (Graduate Actor Alumni)

Being a part of Brown Bag Theatre Company has allowed me the opportunity to learn

about myself, my goals, and my strengths. As Director of Outreach, I've been able to

strengthen my skills in multitasking, organization, generating and sharing ideas, as well

as serving others. I've been able to broaden and improve my people skills, in terms of

communication and work ethic. Developing leadership skills and expanding my network

as an officer in Brown Bag Theatre Company has taught me patience, improved the way I

manage my time, and given me the opportunity to connect with other hard-working,

talented, and creative individuals.

 

Maribel Martinez (Graduate Actor)

Brown Bag Theatre Company has played a major part in my educational experience

during my time here at UCI while earning my MFA in acting. 

This group has provided me with an excess of opportunities that I would not have

received otherwise, starting with my first lead role at UCI in "Yerma" in my first year

and in the positions of Financial Consultant and Administrator this year. 

Brown Bag has equipped me with leadership experience that I will carry with me

well into my professional career in theatre. I now have extensive knowledge into

what it takes to start up and maintain a theatre company, which is an aspiration of

mine. 

The most valued lesson I have learned from Brown Bag is the confidence, along with

the love and care, that is required when leading a company into success. 

Shanelle Garcia (Undergraduate Actor)

Being a part of Brown Bag Theatre has easily been one of my favorite memories at

UCI because it feels like I have mi familia on campus! Brown Bag is a space that has

helped me develop as a Chicana artist, both in being part of productions, as well as

meeting other Chicana(o)/Latina(o) artists who have paved the roads for

Chicano/Latino theater

 

Luis Mondragon (Alumni Scenic Designer/Actor)

BBTC, has become a platform in which I have been able to express myself as a

designer and an actor. In a system where the focus is primarily Anglo driven it

becomes easy to get lost and only be given opportunities to share a stage with other

artists as either an example of the race power dynamic we continue to fight against

or another piece of furniture to the scenic design, however,  BTTC has risen and

given Latino students the voice and equal opportunity to flesh out their talents. 

 

Travis Kendrick (Graduate Director Alumni)

Brown Bag Theatre Company is a unique and special organization for UCI, giving

voice to a population underrepresented on the UCI campus as well as in the Drama

Department.  As a leader for BBTC, I have learned about advocacy, giving voice to

what you believe in and feel passionately about, and the power of a collective.  I

have learned that sometimes the projects and organizations you care most about

take the most work.  Brown Bag makes a difference - not just to the individuals in

the club, or the hispanic community represented on campus, but to the larger UCI

and Irvine populations - and other underrepresented and/or misrepresented

communities within.  BBTC opens the door for conversation, demands equality in

representation, and gives a voice to significant and powerful stories.

 

Madison Scott (Graduate Actor Alumni)

I am proud to be a member of Brown Bag because of what we do to create

opportunities for students who are under-represented in our Department, or in the

entertainment industry at large. As an actor and educator, and someone who hopes

to be a leader in the theatre industry, it is my responsibility to pay attention to how

we are falling short as an artistic community, and to make every effort to change

things so that all stories are valued and given space. I have been challenged to

expand my skills as a theatre artist in order to support these goals-- I never thought

I would be working with excel spreadsheets and budgets! Working as a financial

manager has given me a greater appreciation for the work necessary within the

business side of the theatre, as well as for the incredible generosity and financial

support that makes groups like Brown Bag possible.

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