A dynamic mother/daughter duo takes the stage in
the final show of our boundary-shattering season!
The theme of family is etched deep in Moraga’s work, as well as at Milagro. We are fortunate to have a mother and daughter team join us for Watsonville: Some Place Not Here.
Heroes and Saints, 1994
Bunnie Rivera, who portrays Dolores, and Rosalie Siler, who plays Susana, are both not only Milagro veterans, but have performed together multiple times in other Moraga plays. Rosalie performed in her adolescence in Milagro’s productions of Shadow of a Man and Heroes and Saints, in which her mother also performed. “There’s so much depth and meaning in Cherríe Moraga’s work” she says. “Her writing connects us and calls us to action. That’s powerful activist theater and it stays with you.” Rosalie also strongly relates with Moraga and the themes that resonate throughout her work, particularly in Watsonville. “I wonder if Moraga wrote a bit of herself into my role,” she says. “It has me engaged in my character and my words in new ways as an actor, what an honor to play her!”
Bunnie has been working with Milagro since the 80s, and since then has performed on our mainstage and served on the Board of Directors. Not only has she performed with Rosalie on stage, but many of her family, including her other children, have had their place at Milagro, performing, doing tech or run crew. “It was a real family affair,” she says. Her relationship with Milagro and her encouragement gave Rosalie the aspiration to study theatre at the University of Southern California. “I’m so happy to be working with her again. I love working with my family, I am awed at the talent of Rosalie.” Bunnie’s family also comes from a lineage of women who have protested for worker’s rights locally. “I come from a family of very strong Latina women,” she says. “My mom was an advocate for migrant workers in Hillsboro. She was a force to be reckoned with!” It is no surprise that the themes of Watsonville, and the words of Moraga, ring so true and close to her heart. “The issue of poisoning our environment, ethnic inequality, and immigrant issues are important to me. How the constitution can be abused while the government can be bought and hold the people hostage is very disturbing to me.”
Rosalie and Bunnie, with Osvaldo González, in Watsonville: Some Place Not Here
Bunnie and Rosalie’s relationship is strengthened through their love of theatre and their dedication to each other. Their evenings together are often spent running lines, or talking about their characters. They are always inspired by each other. “My mom was the first model of a strong woman and she certainly set the standard,” Rosalie says. “I took my son to the Women’s March in Portland back in January 2017. It was a sad and scary time, but being there made me truly believe, as a woman, that we are in this together, we won’t be silent, and we ARE making progress.”
Watsonville: Some Place Not Here
runs May 3 – 26, 2018 at Milagro Theatre