This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Williams chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
1. Name: Yasmin Ruvalca
2. Hometown: Prosser, Washington
3. Major: Political Science and Latino/a Studies
4. You’re directing your first play this fall. Could you tell us about that?
This fall I’m directing “El Nogalar” by Tanya Saracho, which will be going on November 19-21. It’s a play, which focuses on the cartel presence in Mexico, class divisions within Mexican society, and on migration. It also attempts to disrupt and broaden notions of mainstream feminism. It’s a piece I’ve been really looking forward to showcase to Williams, because it’s a themes and focus aren’t normally seen in this community and I think it’s something that is truly needed. In light of recent events in Mexico, the case of Ayotzinapa and other disappearances, I hope this play will allow Williams to see what is going on Mexico.
At the same time this play aims to complicate the narrative of cartels in Mexico. Instead of focusing solely on the physical violence associated with cartels it attempts to shift the focus of the audience on to the non-physical violence that these groups enact on communities.
I’m also working on introducing new people into the theater community and hope to change the current make-up of what theater looks like at Williams. The play is able to present an almost all Latino/a cast and an all female technical crew (designers and stage managers). Most of the people involved in this production have not been involved in theater at Williams before and I am very glad I’ve been able to provide a space for this to take place.
5. What has been the most difficult part of directing?
While I am directing this play for fun and as an artistic project, I also have deeper reasons as to why I wanted this play to happen. One of the main reasons I decided to do this play was to create an opportunity for students of color who haven’t done theater before to be able to break into a predominantly white space and be able to get involved. It’s been difficult balancing out the artistic and social aspects of the play, but it is something that is absolutely necessary. Theater at Williams currently lacks diversity and representation, it’s something that needs to be questioned and changed. The only way representation will occur is if we tailor plays to draw in students and create a space for these students to feel welcomed. That’s what I hope to accomplish with the play and I hope it’s something that won’t be overlooked.
Getting involved in arts has provided me with a space to express my thoughts and be able to make a statement. I can take what I learn in class, on campus, in life, and place it on stage to create a voice that people can see. I’ve often felt that when I talk about inequality, social injustices, prejudices, sexism, and so many other things people just hear talking—they aren’t paying attention to what I’m really saying—but with theater I can make them hear, see, feel, and finally understand what I’m trying to say. I like to think I can use theater and art as a wake-up call to those who live within this purple bubble and who close their eyes (sometimes unknowingly) to what’s happening out there in the real world.
7. What advice would you give freshman who want to get involved in theater?
The only advice I can really give is to just go out there and get involved, and I give the same advice to students who haven’t even thought about getting involved before. Theater is a space in which you can do so much. You can do something fun, you can learn technical skills, you can use it as a cultural or political platform, and you can make any statement you want. The most important thing to always remember is that if theater at Williams isn’t offering what you want, go out there and make it happen yourself. Things won’t change if people don’t take a stand and demand that change.