CSUN to Highlight Plight of Latinas

A look into the plight of Latinas through plays, poems and short films will kick off Women’s History Month on Friday at Cal State Northridge.

Hosted by the university’s Latino Arts Collaborative, “A Night of Divas” is a compilation of six pieces written and performed by Latina artists based on their personal experiences, said Florentino Manzano, director of the Student Resource Center of the College of Arts, Media and Communication.

“The goal of the show is to highlight Latinas and their artworks,” Manzano said. “It benefits the university by raising awareness of Latino issues, but in addition it opens the door of the university to have the outside community to come to the university and engage in a learning situation.”

The program begins with a performance by Teatro Sin Fronteras (theater without borders), a group of four female CSUN students who will recite a series of poems that allude to issues of belonging.

Also on the program are an autobiographical statement by Toni Garcia-Orozco titled “The Tortilla Manifesto”; a six-woman ensemble’s performance of “Inlaketch,” a play about successful Latinas who feel marginalized and exploited; and a short film titled “Portrait of Light,” written by Diana Contreras, which examines a young Latina’s plight to comprehend her sexuality and skin color.

Maria Helena Fernandez will present “Hair: Confessions of a Cha Cha Feminist,” which focuses on a modern Latina’s struggle against society’s standard of beauty.

The program concludes with a one-woman dance, comedy and drama performance written and perfomed by playwright Josefina Lopez, whose credits include the Fox TV series “Living Single” and “Culture Clash.” The performance chronicles Lopez’s story, that of a 12-year-old growing up in Boyle Heights to become a successful writer.

The event, which is open to the public, will begin at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on the east side of campus.

Tickets are $10 general and $5 for students at the Student Union Ticket Office. For more information, call (818) 677-2488 or (818) 677-2024.