The Moving Language of Theater

An original bilingual play, “Muéveme, Muévete,” a Spanish phrase meaning “Move Me, Move You,” crosses generations, languages and cultures at its world premier this month. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26-28, at 8 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Theatre, and March 5-7 at 8 p.m. at Casa de la Raza, 601 East Montecito Street at Calle Cesar Chavez. Tickets for Porter  Theatre performances are $15, $7 for students, while  admission is free to Casa de la Raza performances through the financial support of Montecito Bank & Trust.

Written by Westmont senior Diana Small, the play explores the genre of magical realism through the story of a Chicana cannery worker in mid-century California. The young woman, Aideth, carries her family history with her in the form of an ancient peach tree, and listens to the chattering ghosts of her relatives while trying to navigate her contemporary struggles with work, relationships and culture clashes.

The family’s history of traveling and moving touch on a larger theme in the play, Small says. “Everyone is moving, and sometimes that means moving over to make room for someone else,” she says.

The production is directed by Mitchell Thomas, professor and chair of the theater arts department. “One of the primary goals of this project is to connect with the strong Latino community in Santa Barbara,” Thomas says. “The Westmont Theater Department is built upon the faith principle that our art ought to inspire rebirth and connection, bringing local communities together through theatrical experiences.”

The performances at Casa de la Raza will be preceded by refreshments and live music starting at 7 p.m.

For more information or to reserve tickets, please call the theater department at (805) 565-7040. This program continues the theater department’s theme this season, “Think globally, act locally.”