One Act Play: ‘Las Nuevas Tamaleras’

This one-act play features a trio of modern friends tries making tamales the old fashioned way. It’s an even bigger job than they expected — good thing they get help from an unexpected source! This bilingual holiday tradition from San Antonio arrives in Goshen a little early, but charming as ever, celebrating friendship, tradition and food. Adding to the fun, playwright Alicia Meña synthesized English and Spanish for speakers of either language to understand. As a curtain raiser to Las Nuevas Tamaleras, we offer Soy Feliz, Cristina Merelli’s monologue is about the yearning for acceptance, self-love and the quest for happiness.

Both plays are family friendly. Together, they are under 45 minutes long and performed without an intermission.

Dr. Cristóbal Garza González, associate professor of Spanish and the show’s director, said, “Silvia, Josie and Patsy are super committed to making tamales, but this is their first time! So they brainstorm and dig into family memories just to be somewhat confused and praying for a miracle. Will anyone come help them? Do ghosts enjoy tamales? And most importantly, can they teach these young women how to make great tamales and preserve the tradition?”

GC Department of Theater rates this play PG for the presence of kindly ghosts. We encourage everyone to attend and enjoy.

Cast and Production Team

Josie – Camila Perez-Diener
Dona Mercedes – Megan Lara
Dona Juanita – Genesis Landaez
Patsy – Mairin Mendoza
Silvia – Natalie (Miguel) Pineda Vasquez
Opening Monologue, Soy Feliz – Ines Villaseñor Rodriguez

Stage Manager – Natalie Neufeld
Assistant Stage Manager – Elly Wahll
Costume Designer – Annabelle Bartz
Costume Assistant – Jeffrey Thomas
Scenic Designer – Brenton Abram-Copenhaver
Lighting Designer – Kate Roth
Props Supervisor – Eddie Baldwin
Director – Cristobal Garza Gonzalez
Technical Director – Brenton Abram-Copenhaver
Producer – Amy Budd