'Vanished': A play on immigration rooted in real stories

Photo by David P. Anderson

Clockwise from top: Actors Tim Seneca, Megan Smith and Benito Cruz, depict a home invasion where an I.C.E. officer tries to detain an undocumented father working and living in Detroit.

DETROIT MARCH 3, 2010 - Based on the experiences of friends and family, the Matrix Young Playwrights will premiere “Vanished,” a poignant and personal look at how our country’s immigration policy has impacted people’s lives, on March 12 running weekends through March 28 at the Matrix Theatre, located at 2730 Bagley in Detroit’s Mexicantown. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors, and $8 for children 10 - 16 years of age. Call 313-967-0599, or go to matrixtheatre.org for further information.

“Vanished” is directed by 19-year-old Laura Perez who also led the collective writing of the production. The writers spent a year gathering stories from residents, immigration officers, school officials and more. The idea for the play is based on the experience of Perez’s close friend whose father, the family’s provider, was deported as an undocumented immigrant, while his mother was left to fend for herself and their three children. Unable to find work, she was forced to move back to Mexico. Unwilling to give up his education as an honor student at Cass Technical High School, Perez’s young friend was forced to support himself while finishing his senior year. Despite his hardships, he graduated with honors and was awarded a scholarship to the College for Creative Studies. He had to turn it down because of his undocumented status. Today he lives alone and struggles to support himself with low-paying jobs, while attending Henry Ford Community College part time.

“Vanished” includes other personal experiences shared by the cast and playwrights: dignity-stripping home invasions; a parent desperately struggling to find someone to care for his children when his wife is suddenly deported; married couples deported without their children ever being notified. Residents live in constant fear of deportation each time they see U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicles on their street.

“This play is the voice of a lot of people in this neighborhood,” said Perez. “You can start your day as a family, and that afternoon your parents are gone and you’re forced to fend for yourself.” Perez began working with Matrix at the age of 10. This deeply felt original work is her professional directing debut, and it draws upon her experience as a child of immigrant parents growing up in Southwest Detroit.

Matrix Theatre Company is a non-profit community-based theatre located in Southwest Detroit. Established in 1991, Matrix creates everything from scratch, from puppets of all sizes to over 90 original plays. Matrix Theatre Company uses the transformative power of original theatre to change lives, build community and foster social justice. It creates opportunities for children, youth, adults and elders, especially those in isolated or challenged communities, to become creators, producers and audiences of original theatre. For further information or to follow Matrix on Facebook, Twitter and Blogger, go to matrixtheatre.org.

“Vanished” is the newest play by the Matrix Young Playwrights. Last year’s work “Caution: This Is How Its Caught” was a play about HIV/AIDS awareness. “Vanished” continues to ask hard questions that the Playwrights are known for, and brings the issue of immigration reform to the forefront.

Photo by Francisco Ruiz 

Jose Varela, Laura Perez and Matt Dooley were three of the main writers for “Vanished,” although many were involved in the collective playwriting process. 

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Matrix Theatre Company presents ‘Vanished’ 

FACT SHEET 

What: 

Event: World Premiere of “Vanished”
Synopsis: The story of a family in Detroit literally torn apart by immigration laws and enforcement policies.

Where: 

Address: Matrix Theatre Company
2730 Bagley Detroit, MI 48216
Tickets: Box office - 313-967-0599. $15 general admission. $10 students with ID. $10 seniors 65 and older. $8 children 10-16.

Who: 

Director: Laura Perez
Playwright: Matrix Young Playwrights
Lighting /Scenic/Stage Manager: Kevin Barron
Costume Designer: Stella Woitulewicz
Cast: Megan Smith - Gabriella Gerardo; Justino Solis - Jesus Gerardo; Maria Ayala - Carina Gerardo; Benito Cruz - Hector Gerardo; Jose Varela - Erick, Victor and Pablo; Alyssa Bunton - Rachel and Angelina; Sarah Cline - Stacy; Tim Seneca - Boss and I.C.E Officer; Francisco Ruiz - Assistant Manager; Nicholas Infante - Assistant Manager and I.C.E. Officer.

When: 

March 12 - Friday - 8 p.m.
March 13 - Saturday - 4 p.m.
March 14 - Sunday - 4 p.m. (Spanish Translation) (Talk-back)
March 19 - Friday - 8 p.m. (Spanish Translation)
March 20 - Saturday - 4 p.m.
March 20 - Saturday - 8 p.m.
March 21 - Sunday - 4 p.m. (Touch Tours - 3:30 p.m.) (Audio Description) (Talk-back) March 26 - Friday - 8 p.m. (Touch Tours - 7 p.m.) (Audio Description)
March 27 - Saturday - 4 p.m. (Spanish Translation)
March 27 - Saturday - 8 p.m. (ASL Interpretation)
March 28 - Sunday - 4 p.m. (ASL Interpretation)

(Matrix Theatre Company’s Inclusive Theatre Initiative insures that Matrix Productions are available to all theatre lovers. Services include: Accessible parking, seating and restroom facilities. Assistive Listening devices available at all shows.)