Messiah College students challenge themes of oppression in the Spanish play “El Delantal Blanco”
March 11th, 2009
GRANTHAM, Pa. (March 11, 2009) — The Messiah College School of the Humanities will present a Spanish language dramatic performance of “El Delantal Blanco” on March 31 at 7 p.m. in Boyer Hall. The performance is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and tickets can be reserved by calling the Messiah College ticket office at (717) 691-6036.
About the production
“El Delantal Blanco,” or “The White Apron,” is the first in a trilogy of one act plays by Sergio Vodanovic titled “Viña: Tres comedias en traje de baño.” This play demonstrates that it is a fallacy to equate accepted social practices with the “natural laws” of human behavior. At first, “La Señora,” the lady of the house, and “La Empleada,” the servant, switch clothes in a playful, innocent exchange. But soon, the exchange becomes a role-reversal that exposes the superficial nature of privilege and outward appearance as well as the resentment of those trapped in subordinate positions. Game and role playing are often used in mid-20th century Latin American dramas to create an alternative reality in which the existing power structure is inverted.
Funding for this initiative came from a grant from the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, whose basic mission is to preserve and increase resources so that future generations will have the means to address and solve societal challenges. Messiah students will also present the play at various high schools in the Greater Harrisburg Region in April and May.
About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 2,800 undergraduate students in 55 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.