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THE BUZZ: Placas: More Than A Play

PLACAS_Clean

Placas: More Than A Play

Article by Kristen Schweizer

Mayor Kevin Faulconer has often said he wants to increase resources for gang policing in the City of San Diego. It makes sense; the City of San Diego has more than 4,100 gang members in 91 gangs. Countywide, law enforcement agencies reported that gangs are responsible for a quarter of all crimes they see, including assaults, robberies and theft (Voice of San Diego).

The average age in San Diego for initial gang recruitment is 13 years old. As expected at that age, most boys join because they sought a sense of belonging, having friends and family in gangs. It takes about a year to get fully initiated, and new members are often brought in to the fold through fighting, stealing or having sex with another gang member.

This is the real-world turf that the play Placas: The Most Dangerous Tattoo comes to for its San Diego premiere on April 23, 24 and 25 at Lincoln High School. The authentic production takes a detailed look in to the notorious Salvadoran gang, La Mara Salvatrucha (or MS-13).

The play is based on hours of interviews with gang members, intervention workers, and parents. Playwright Paul S. Flores created a bi-lingual narrative of fathers and songs, and the determination of one man to reunite his family after surviving El Salvador’s civil war, deportation, prison and street violence. The play documents one man’s efforts to leave that life and reunite with his family. Fausto Carbajal, aka “Placas,” a former gang member, Salvadoran immigrant, father is the narrator of this gripping tale. He is covered in tattoos, representing the bonds and actions of his time. Starring as Fausto is the incredible Ric Salinas, a native-born Salvadoran and founding member of the acclaimed performance group, Culture Clash.

In addition to presenting Placas to San Diego, Flores is setting up outreach programs and workshops for local youth. In collaboration with The Jacobs Center, Teatro Izcalli and The National Compadres Network, Flores will co-faciltate healing circles with City Heights youth who have been impacted by violence and immigration. Students at UCSD and USD will also engage in story telling circles around healing the wounds of violence. More than a presentation, this work imparts a necessity for action.

Certainly many San Diegans will be surprised by the gang violence described on stage, but it is not as shocking as the fact that the San Diego region has become a hub of gang-controlled prostitution rings (LA Times, 2014). Pablo Picasso once described art as “a lie that tells the truth.” This singular, impactful work is sure to remind us of the world we live in, the strength of those departing from gang life, and the San Diego county leaders working to stop the cycle of violence.

Ticket Info:

SAN DIEGO, CA April 23-25

Lincoln High School Performing Arts Center

4777 Imperial Ave San Diego, California 92113

Thurs-Sat April 23-25, 2015

7:30PM

Tickets $12 advance $15 door

Buy tickets online http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1320465

Call for group rates: 619.307.3181

 

Vanguard Culture

Vanguard Culture is an online media entity designed for culturally savvy, socially conscious individuals. We provide original interviews and reviews of the people, places, and events that make up San Diego’s thriving arts and culture community, as well as curated snapshots of the week’s best, most inspiring and unique cultural and culinary events. We believe in making a difference in the world, supporting San Diego’s vibrant visual and performing arts community and bringing awareness to important social and community causes.

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