The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) Department of Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts, Office of Academic Affairs and BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center (BMCC TPAC), with support from the BMCC Foundation, will present on November 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, a free production of José Casas’ play, 14, directed by Professor Daphnie Sicre.
Each performance is open to the public and will be held at BMCC in Theater 2, 199 Chambers Street. The play will be followed by talk-back sessions with the director, playwright and others.
The play 14 is based on a true-life event in which a smuggler abandoned over 20 Mexicans crossing the desert near Yuma, Arizona, resulting in 14 of them dying of dehydration, says Professor Sicre. A talk-back session will follow each performance, giving the audience a chance to engage in conversation linking the play with issues such as immigration and activism.
The cast and crew of 14 include present and past BMCC students and faculty. The creative design team, in addition to Daphnie Sicre, director, includes David Givens, stage manager; Elizabeth Chaney, scene designer; Dominic Crescente, assistant to the stage manager; Saundrell Davison, sound designer; Alex Vasquez Dheming, lighting designer; Bertie Ferdman, dramaturg; Norris Girdy, graphic designer; Vanessa Leuck, costume designer; Dania Miguel, assistant director; Jermaine Rowe, projection designer, and Karl O. Williams, theatre coordinator.
There are no reservations for 14 and seating is limited. Admission is free. Some parking is available. For more information, call the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center box office at (212) 220-1460.
Performance and talk-back schedule
Wednesday, November 14, 2 p.m., followed by Why Is 14 Relevant Today? A talk-back with José Casas and Daphnie Sicre, moderated by Bertie Ferdman.
Wednesday, November 14, 7 p.m., followed by Activism: How to Get Involved? A talk-back with José Casas and Mariá Donoso Malaya about The New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC work, moderated by Daphnie Sicre.
Thursday, November 15, 7 p.m., followed by Why Is 14 Relevant Today? A talk-back with José Casas and Daphnie Sicre, moderated by Karl O’Brian Williams.
Friday, November 16, 7 p.m., followed by Activism: How to Get Involved? A talk-back with Alvin Eng about RAR’s Immigration Committee work moderated by Daphnie Sicre.
Saturday, November 17, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., followed by talk-back sessions after the 2pm matinee and 7pm evening show.
Sunday, November 18, 3 p.m., followed by Reflections on the Show and Today’s Status Quo. A talk-back with the cast, moderated by Daphnie Sicre.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- BMCC TPAC, the Office of Academic Affairs and Department of Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts, with support from the BMCC Foundation, present 14, a play by Jose Casas
- Directed by Professor Daphnie Sicre, 14 is based on a true-life event in which a smuggler abandoned 20 Mexicans crossing an Arizona desert, resulting in 14 deaths
- The play is FREE, and will be staged in Theatre 2 at 199 Chambers Street on November 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18
