“It’s hard being without them. Your family. I... I chose to leave. But others... they aren’t always

able to make that choice for themselves.” 

-Tio Ofelio

 

Concept Statement:

    This is a story that hits close to home. Being set in the city of El Paso, specifically the fields of Socorro, I am familiar with the setting and themes all too well. Andrew Siañez-De La O, the author, tells a story that is about loss and danger that comes with being an illegal immigrant across the border of the United States. As a person, let alone a designer, it is difficuclt to experience this piece without coming to tears. The fear of the men wearing green who could end life as you know it is all to real. Enzo and Rosita, the illegal immigrant children in this show, are storytellers who live in this paranoia while making the best of their experiences as writers.

 

     Giving weight to the threats was a big factor in the lighting choices. The green of the US Border Patrol agents uniforms was the overbearing theme in this show. Green signified danger, just as many of us border residents know all too well. Tio Ofelio, the voice of reflection in the piece, is lit in a seperate manner as he is doesnt interact with the other actors. All of the colors relatively “normal” except for the consistent green backlight foreshadowing his past as a former border patrol agent. Using lighting instruments I wanted the desert to be both reminiscent of a old horror movie as well as the landscape the residents of El Paso are familiar with.