WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — A new play created and performed by 13 "community actors" will put issues of racism facing Latinos Uptown at center stage this week.
The People's Theatre Project's new performance, "Better Than You," acts as a tool for participants to rehearse for real-life events and brainstorm solutions to certain problems, organizers said.
During the play, actors will portray different characters and scenes that highlight various aspects of racism, violence or concerns within the Latino communities of Washington Heights and Inwood.
The performance also counts on audience involvement, with the actors asking theatergoers to tell them what they thought of the stories, as well as come onstage to demonstrate how they would have reacted in those situations.
“All of our plays come directly from the real-life experience of our community actors,” said Mino Lora, program director of the People's Theatre Project. “Our goal is to engage our community in creative dialogue."
Now in its fifth year, the bilingual series has been no stranger to controversy — tackling everything from racial profiling and stop-and-frisk to domestic violence, gentrification and tenants’ rights.
For the first time, Lora said the program is seeking out stories that address racism, as well conducting trainings with staff to help them be more sensitive to the actors' experiences and develop scenes better.
It’s a practice she wants to keep in place, especially as the program grows and builds new partnerships with senior centers, government agencies, schools, and the program's intergenerational actors.
The organization puts out an open call for actors each season, picking anywhere from 15 to 25 people to perform.
Esdras Santana started as a community actor in 2011, and since then has moved on to become a program facilitator.
"I love that we are choosing topics that are hard to discuss," she said, adding that she's witnessed how these performances go on to empower the community.
"I'm expecting the audience to really get angry and fight for ourselves, even if it's someone else's story," Lora added.
The show will take place on Nov. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center at 530 W. 166th St. Admission is pay-what-you-can.
