A Shero’s Journey: Meet the Cast
Yamaya (portrayed by Dejiah Cobb) braiding Zoila’s hair (portrayed by Kennedy Gaskins). Photo by Tristen Taylor
Reporter Tristen Taylor got an exclusive look into the rehearsal for A Shero’s Journey or What Anacaona and Yamaya Taught Me written by Guadalis Del Carmen and directed by Assistant Professor in Theater, Yasmine Jahanmir. The story follows Zoila, a young girl looking for guidance from her ancestors as she begins to question everything that she was ever taught.
Theater department members at the University of Nevada, Reno told Taylor that A Shero’s Journey is the first Latinx play the university has presented in 10 years. The cast itself is just as unique, containing actors from non-acting majors, STEM majors, and alumni.
Opening night is March 4 at 7:30 p.m., with other performances on March 5, 10-12 at 7:30 p.m., and March 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Screenshot taken from the university’s theater and dance department’s website. Ticket link can be found on their Productions page, and at this link.
What do you hope for the audience to take away from this play?
Kennedy Gaskins (Zoila)
“The message of self love is such a core theme, really just acceptance in the body you were born with.”
Maya Macias (Mama/ Anacaona)
“It’s a story that tends to get overlooked, latinx, afro- latinx voices are pushed aside for what ‘sells’ but this is meaningful and it can sell. I'm so proud to tell this story.”
Anthony Mendoza (Papa)
“Stories from the latin and black diasporas are really important, this show is about people of color racism within black latinos. I am an alumni from 2012 and it is great to come back to my alma mater and see they are doing great things.”
Dejiah Cobb (Tia/ Yamaya)
“There's hard conversations in these scenes and lines but it's bringing awareness to our peers and I hope it opens their eyes and affects them. There's truth behind this fiction.”
Ajani Jones (Amor/ Snake)
“I’m a part of this original cast and I’m excited to be telling people’s culture. I hope people have an open mind when they watch it.”
Jeremy Uithoven (White Jesus)
“I'm touching on racism and sexism with my role and I want the audience to understand all the things this play touches on. Everybody has their origin, everybody has their background that affects their perspective on life. It is great to have a culturally diverse play. It’s beautiful, I've learned things and I'm excited to be a part of it.”
Isis Oliver (Movement Ensemble)
“I have been going here for four years, I am a STEM major and I have never acted before. My friend told me about this play and it relates to my heritage and spirituality so I got involved. I hope the audience enjoys it.”
Lupe Alvarez (Movement Ensemble)
“I have never done a production like this. It feels like the right time in my life because I also struggle with knowing what my cultural identity entails so I am also on a journey of self discovery. I hope the audience knows latinx representation is so important especially in community theater. Latinx people are in these spaces and we are usually diminished but it feels like we have been heard a lot during this process.”
