Living Lakes
Directing team: +
| Name | Function(s) |
|---|---|
| Anita Gonzalez | Director |
Notes: +
Living Lakes's performance highlights numerous cultural groups, mainly the Latin American and African American communities, that left their mark in the United States. This piece focuses on significant historical moments in the Midwest of the United States when various ethnic groups were present. The Great Lakes are shown in the play as both points of connection and conflict examining how these topics impact labor, trade, and transportation through dance, music, and visuals. Gonzalez incorporates dance to depict the Great Migration, slavery, and the connection between people. It allows the reader to comprehend how, between 1910 and 1930, Mexican and African Americans found employment, comfort, safety, and enjoyment in the Great Lakes regions. Gonzalez's use of images representing historical events and figures helps the audience see the performance from the characters' viewpoint. The music's diverse notes and styles enhanced the play's historical sense. The lighting created various moods for the scenes and made it easier for audiences to comprehend the feelings and intentions behind each character's dancing. The play comes to life due to Gonzalez's vivid settings and use of different tactics, immersing the audience in the discrimination and culture suffered by African Americans and Latin Americans throughout migration to the Great Lakes.
