A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION Woodland Hills, California
Volume 136 - Issue 3
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
One copy free, each additional copy $1.00
Preview: 'El Nogalar' highlights Mexico BY WHITNEY EVANS Reporter
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h a r a c t e r s traditionally overlooked will be in the spotlight of the Pierce College Theatre Department’s performance of playwright Tanya Saracho’s “El Nogalar.” “El Nogalar,” which means pecan orchard, is a contemporary drama taking place in present day Northern Mexico and follows the story of a mother and her two daughters, their maid and a worker on their land. They are faced with the possibility of losing to the Mexican cartel their legacy that was built by a generation of women. Director of “El Nogalar” Christian Barillas said he’s excited to see Latin America represented on stage. “We’re used to plays that take place in New York, period pieces in England, Chekhovian Russia,” Barillas said. “It's not often that you see an American play that has bilingual elements that takes place in the country of the Northern part of Mexico. It’s not the kind of thing we see in the theater, so I'm excited to hopefully create a world that feels new and welcoming and also dangerous for audiences.” Barillas said that he is enjoying the work he’s doing for the play and with everyone involved with the project.
her deliver the best version of the character. “Just like this character brings her history to this world, right now she has such a deep relationship with this space, I feel like I bring that too from my life, from my family. I’m Puerto Rican, I bring Puerto Rico with me, I bring the Latin culture with me,” Caro-Caro said. Dunia, a maid, played by Amy Solano is the optimistic dreamer, who through trial and triumph keeps a sense of humor and doesn't let the world around her become a distraction. “I think her role is important because she is the dreamer and is always looking forward to the better things in life in spite of the situation she’s in,” Solano said. Solano describes the similarities and values she and her character Dunia share and how “El Nogalar” being a representation of the Latin Photo by Nikki Kober community is important for (Left to right) Stella Ramirez and Loida Novas rehearse "El Nogalar" at Pierce College in Woodland viewers within that community Hills, Calif., on March 10, 2022. to experience a show that’s “It’s been great, it's been it felt like the stars aligned and clicking into a certain moment relatable in some way. positive and everybody's it was a great opportunity for more deeply or defining a “I think the way that we’re encouraging, committed and everyone.” relationship a little bit more similar is in a societal way pitching in to get this going,” Barillas shares his experience specifically in rewarding.” with lower income and dealing Barillas said. with the cast while putting Yvonne Caro-Caro, who plays with financial security. Even Barillas said that he felt a the production together. And Maite, the mother, is confronted my family was homeless at one connection to the story because what he wants the audience to with losing everything her point when I was growing up. of his personal ties to the culture. consume from the play. family has worked hard for. I still managed to be motivated “Being from Latin America, “Witnessing how positive, “I am the woman who loses and encouraged to want to move I have a good grasp of the sort committed and enthusiastic all it all but I am full of life, past ahead in life and not allow those of harsh realities that the play the actors are has been really and memories. It’s a beautiful circumstances to hold me down.” navigates,” Barillas said. “I energizing seeing everybody full part, it's a great role to play,” Guillermo Lopez, played had been wanting to work with grow into their parts,” Barillas Caro-Caro said. by Alejandro Balderas, plays a Pierce's [Performing Arts] said. “It’s not easy material Caro-Caro said she shares prominent role in “El Nogalar.” Department for a long time, so so when you see somebody qualities with Maite which help He is the peacemaker stuck
between the light and dark side of this dangerous cartel takeover. “He is a businessman who is caught between two worlds of a group of people who aren't updated where their home town has gone and dealing with the cartel trying to monopolize the entire city that they live in,” Balderas said. “He’s trying to find a way to make sure that his people aren’t losing lands unwillingly while keeping the cartel happy.” Balderas said he works on his character development by rooting it in the story. “We know the importance of telling something like this,” Balderas said. “When I can, I'm just dissecting the script and trying to get into the mind of my character and just see the world the way he does.” Solano said seeing a variety of characters of other nationalities on stage. “I also think it's a big deal for Spanish speakers or people with darker skin to actually watch a show with people that look like them and speak the same language as them, I think that’s very powerful to be able to see that.” The play will be performing from March 25-April 3, 2022, in the Dow Arena Theater at Pierce. Tickets are available online at brownpapertickets.com wevans.roundupnews@gmail.com
Are you ready to break a sweat? Fitness center reopens its doors for students BY WHITNEY EVANS Reporter
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fter being closed for nearly two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fitness Center has reopened to athletes, students, faculty and staff. Football head coach and Fitness coordinator James Sims said he is glad that the center has reopened, because it can give students a sense of normalcy. “I hope that the students could come back in, start getting somewhat of a normal life and be able to come and enjoy the full campus life of being able to work out and go to class,” Sims said. Women’s basketball assistant coach Zenith Robinson echoed the sentiment and said the opening allows students to get active again. “They don’t have to feel like they're stuck at home or in front of a computer,” Robinson said. “It allows them to get back on campus and get in a workout.” Men’s basketball assistant coach Travell Robinson said the
center is extremely beneficial for student-athletes. “It gives the athletes a chance to get back in shape, back in conditioning,” Robinson said. “We're making sure everybody’s staying safe, while being competitive at the same time.” The fitness center is used by many student-athletes on campus, Women’s soccer forward Alexandra Meza said she is happy about the reopening and the support student-athletes are getting. “I get to come in everyday, I feel a lot better and I feel healthy,” Meza said. “There has been great support for our athletes and our team, preparing our muscles for game day. I love it.” Football player Peyton Pelletier said adjusting to working out through the COVID-19 lockdown was difficult for student-athletes. “We weren’t able to go into the training room to get our bodies right,” Pelletier said. “We weren’t able to go into the weight room. It’s great to come in here four to five times a week with the coaches and the team,
it’s really helping us develop a lot more”. Coaches and athletes had to adjust to having their training sessions on Zoom. Sims said that he was working with student athletes during the lockdown but the equipment needs were not met for many at home. “Some students had weights at home, some had water bottles,” Sims said. “I had a student using drills.” Sims said the Fitness Center is one of the many athletic facilities that needs to be remodeled because of the wear and tear it has accumulated throughout the years. “It’s really looking kind of old. Especially the flooring, walls and mirrors because it sat dormant for almost two years due to COVID,” Sims said. “The gym is a little over 10 years old, it’s time to replace it.” The fitness center is reserved for athletes from 7-11a.m. Students, faculty and staff are allowed access from 11 a.m.-1p.m. wevans.roundupnews@gmail.com
Photo by Brandon Sinclair
Marcos Reumante lifts weights at the Fitness Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on March 8, 2022. The Center reopened on February 28.
Health Center hosts safe sex event [see CAMPUS LIFE on pg. 7]
Opinions........................2 News...............................3 Photo Essay..................4-6 Campus Life .................7 Sports.............................8