Global Latinidades Center Sponsors Successful Inaugural UCSB Production of Zoot Suit in New Annual Theater Initiative

Global Latinidades continues sponsorship of UCSB’s Zoot Suit production after phenomenal success of inaugural production. Co-directed by undergraduate Angel Diaz and graduate student Mayra Gomez-Labrada, the play brought the zoot suit era to life, captivating audiences with its blend of raw emotion and historical significance. The 20+ person production team, made up of UCSB students and partners, mounted 3 packed-house performances. Check out this article Santa Barbara’s own Independent, where they interviewed the two Chicano artists.

Leading up to the performance weekend, co-directors Angel Diaz and Mayra Gomez-Labrada curated a dynamic week of programming to honor and celebrate Chicano heritage. The events featured a guest lecture by renowned Chicano scholar Jorge Huerta, offering insights into the historical and cultural significance of Zoot Suit and Chicano theater. Attendees also had the opportunity to explore the Teatro Campesino archives, delving into the legacy of the iconic theater troupe that championed labor rights and cultural representation. Rounding out the festivities was a backstage tour of the Zoot Suit set, showcasing the intricate rotating design by student Maya Rosenberg. This series of events aimed to educate the public about Latine culture and identity, emphasizing accessibility by offering all programming free of charge and providing complimentary food for attendees.

Performing this play on a campus that birthed the UC system’s first Chicana/o Studies Department reminds us of the campus’s deep ties to Chicano legacy. The university also houses The Teatro Camesino Archives, representing over twenty years of the country’s most influential theater group which has made major contributions to Chicano culture in the United States and to the development and expansion of the boundaries of theater everywhere. Jorge Huerta, who published the first major study about Chicano theater in the United States, was also the first Chicano nationwide to receive his Ph.D. in theatre. Earning this degree from our very own UC Santa Barbara made it even more meaningful to have him present on the history of this play that has created a lasting legacy on Latinx theater. 

Diaz and Gomez-Labrada hope this marks the beginning of an annual Zoot Suit tradition on campus. The Global Latinidades Center is looking forward to continuing our sponsorship of Zoot Suit and for 2025’s production coming in the spring. Look out for more details.

Students dancing in inaugural production of Zoot Suit Alice and Henry Reyna in Zoot Suit Dance Hall in Zoot Suit Angel Diaz as El Pachuco in Zoot Suit