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[dreamer] project: an Undocuplay
"[dreamer] project: an Undocuplay" is an original theatre piece created and directed by SJSU lecturer Kathleen Normington. The play is based on interviews with real undocumented Latinx students at SJSU. It focuses on the continuing journeys of these students from Mexico and Central America, and the issues surrounding them as they seek to find a place to belong in the U.S. By showing the challenges each faces as a college student, as well as their personal stories of childhood and family, we come to know them not just as "undocumented," but as human beings navigating an extraordinary time in our history.
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As part of my DBH Communications internship, in Fall 2019, I served as the lead for the SJSU Theatre's public relations and marketing team. Working on this production was one of the most eye-opening and fulfilling parts of my college experience.
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Aside from running a social media campaign, photographing rehearsals, filming and editing interview videos, designing flyers and a lobby display, organizing live performance art events, writing press releases and gaining mainstream media attention (Mercury News, NBC News, Telemundo, Univision), I worked with my team to not only promote a play, but to advocate for the rights of DACA students and undocumented people.
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I realized this was more than a play. These were real people in our classes and community, with real struggles and triumphs, facing real injustice from society and the powers-that-be. I learned about my own privilege, and I learned how I could use public relations to work towards a better, more equal tomorrow.
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You can access and explore my materials from the "[dreamer]" campaign below.
Press Coverage
After sending press kits to journalists and receiving support from SJSU Media Relations Specialist Robin McElhatton, I coordinated with the journalists to organize interviews and times when they could film. I was always present to ensure everything ran smoothly for both the journalists and the cast/crew.
1/7
Tabling and Performance Art
I obtained the appropriate school permits so we could table and promote the play on campus. At the table I set up an enter-to-win raffle, where people could stop and try to win some tickets to the show. I organized randomly selecting and contacting winners, and I ensured they received their tickets.
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We also had one performance art event, where several actors performed some of the scenes from the show.
Interviews
I wrote the questions for and conducted these interviews with the cast and dramaturge Candido Tirado. I also directed and edited both of these videos.
We filmed the cast interviews in the SJSU JMC TV studio.
1/17
The Eyes
My team and I had a photo shoot with each of the actors. Two of my teammates managed the lighting while I photographed the actors. We wanted to capture the vulnerability, intimacy and emotion of this show, so we captured extreme close-ups of each actor's eyes.
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I then designed a poster for each actor in the show and created a QR code that led to the ticket and information page on the Hammer Theatre website. We spread these posters all across the SJSU campus and in surrounding Downtown San Jose.
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The director and production team loved the photos and incorporated them into the stage design before the show. I also designed a step-and-repeat banner inspired by the posters, which we displayed in the Hammer Theatre's lobby during the show's run.
Social Media
I created and managed new social media accounts for SJSU Theatre. We started the accounts in early October 2019, and by the end of the semester, we had 355 Likes on Facebook and 176 followers on Instagram.
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Our social media campaign for "[dreamer] project" emphasized sharing parts of the stories from the production, but also the stories and experiences of the students and staff involved. We also made sure to post updates about politics and the news, because this was indeed more than a play -- this was the lives and realities for our friends and neighbors in our own community. We wanted to raise awareness and give the public an understanding of what it means to be undocumented.
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I also took most of the photos for the social media feeds. Click HERE to see more of my photography.
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