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Phoenix, Arizona – In the context of Arizona’s legislation and crackdown on undocumented immigration, Teatro Nopalero
emerges as a developing alternative to tackle immigration issues and other social problems in Maricopa County.
Barriozona Magazine presents this exclusive interview with Silvia Rodriguez, the group’s leader and an actress.
BARRIOZONA: How was Teatro Nopalero formed?
Silvia Rodriguez: In 2006, when the human rights marches began in Arizona, students united against Prop 300, and in an
effort to educate the community about all the issues that were going on with immigration, I decided to use theater. I have
had experience with doing Theater of the Oppressed, and invited my friends to join me. We never wanted to become
anything professional or a big deal. We just wanted to educate other students and voters on what was happening.
Somehow, I became the director of the group, since I was the one with the most theater experience. People in other
places began to ask us to do theater at their events and soon we were named “El Teatro Nopalero.” It began as a joke,
however, soon after that we were known for what we were doing, and that became our official name. Many of the original
members such as Dulce Juarez have continued to act, and work with other theater companies. Others started their own
groups, but theater became a part of all of our lives.
BARRIOZONA: In essence, what is Teatro Nopalero trying to accomplish?
Silvia Rodriguez: To create social change and consciousness through theater. We want to work with the community and
find solutions to the problems we have. We want to empower others to use their talents to help others. One of the main
motivators for our group is fighting for justice, particularly with the Dream Act, and immigration reform. But all of our plays
have positive messages, dealing with family issues, drugs, education, relationships, discrimination, violence, and all
sorts of messages about oppression and liberation.
BARRIOZONA: What are some of the plays your group has presented?
Silvia Rodriguez: We have been presenting theater for social change since 2006, when Prop 300 was on the ballot; that is
how the group began. Some are "Cuando el Mojado se Seca," "La Tripa no Sabe de Leyes ni Fronteras," "Aliens in the
Cage," "Las Comadres y El Sheriff," "Al Otro lado de la Tortilla," "Cholas Going to College," and others...
We have performed at schools, churches, community centers; we run workshops at national conferences on how to use
street theater for social change.
BARRIOZONA: Who writes and directs the plays?
Silvia Rodriguez: Most of the time we meet as a group and develop everything together: the costumes, the lines, and the
stories. At times I have crazy ideas like (the play) “Aliens in the Cage” and the group members are bravely willing to help
me develop them, and present them no matter how controversial they might be.
BARRIOZONA: What is the focus of your plays?
Silvia Rodriguez: All of the plays have a message for social change, and has strong roots in Theater of the Oppressed.
Many times the message is contentious and political, which helps the goal of the group. The goal is to create
consciousness through the art of theater.
BARRIOZONA: What are the main challenges and obstacles for your group?
Silvia Rodriguez: The main challenge is that we all are students, have jobs and families, so getting together many times is
hard to do. Other challenges for some of the group members is that many times our work is presented in an underground
sort of way, because of the controversy and heavy criticism we have towards the sheriff and the leaders of this state; we do
some of our work anonymously.
BARRIOZONA: Does your group receive funding/donations or is it based on volunteer work?
Silvia Rodriguez: We have done all of our performances and community workshops for free. We never charge people, we
believe that teatro should be free, and because it is used to create consciousness, we believe that everyone should have
access to it. But we do accept and welcome any donations that will help us in our efforts to bring theater to the community.
BARRIOZONA: What feedback have you received from the community?
Silvia Rodriguez: The community loves our theater, we always try to use humor and incorporate as many characters from
the barrio, so people could identify with it. Such as the cholos y cholas, the comadres, the college students, eloteros (corn
vendors) and other characters.
BARRIOZONA: What makes your group different than others that do similar work?
Silvia Rodriguez: Most of our work is improvised; we do not have scripts, we don’t focus on doing main stage work. We are
not in this to become famous; we are in it because we know the powerful tool that theater is to create and promote
freedom. To educate the community, to transmit messages of hope and change.
We believe in the power of the people, and draw of strength from our roots and pre-colonial cultura. We challenge the
status quo and we are not afraid to question. But most of all we do theater from a place of love.
BARRIOZONA: What are some of the Teatro Nopalero short and long term goals?
Silvia Rodriguez: To be more active as a theater group, to do park performances this summer where people of all
backgrounds and children who have nothing to do during the summer can come and learn, have fun, and be inspired.
BARRIOZONA: How can the community support Teatro Nopalero?
Silvia Rodriguez: By asking us to go perform for them, and telling others about our group, by joining and becoming
involved.
Copyright © 2010 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
Grassroots Journalism
www.barriozona.com
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A group of young activist actors bring forth a theatrical approach to deal with social issues at the
grassroots level.
By Eduardo Barraza
BARRIOZONA
February 1, 2010
Teatro Nopalero: Seeking Social Change,
Justice and Consciousness Through Theater