Winner, Distinguished Book Award, American Alliance for Theatre & Education, 2009 In today's multicultural world there is an urgent need for more plays and books that represent a diverse array of ethnic groups. Theatre and book critics, scholars, and theatre professionals have long campaigned for a broader representation of minorities in book and play publishing. In this anthology, renowned theatre expert Coleman A. Jennings has compiled a selection of plays by Jose Cruz Gonzalez that meets these multicultural demands head-on. Gonzalez is a foremost voice in theatre for children and youth whose plays address themes, often through imaginary lands and extraordinary characters, faced by children in their everyday lives. Born to migrant workers in Calexico, California, in 1957, Gonzalez learned at a young age how to tap into the vast world of his imagination. From his grandfather, who would regale the family with stories and riddles as they worked on the farm, he learned the power of storytelling. He spent afternoons, weekends, and summers working in the fields, so it is no surprise that his plays are strongly tied to the natural world. His use of magical realism has become one of his trademarks. The nine plays in this anthology were thoughtfully collected and will go far to fill the multicultural gap in the world of theatre for children.

 

This book was recognised by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education Distinguished Book Award.

This book is part of a book series called Louann Atkins Temple Women And Culture .

There are 347 pages in this book. This is a play book. This book was published 2008 by University of Texas Press .

Coleman A. Jennings is professor emeritus in the area of drama and theatre for youth and communities at the University of Texas at Austin.

This book has the following chapters: Acknowledgments Introduction Biography Bibliography of Plays Collaborative Creation: Responses from Corey Madden, David Saar, J. Richard Smith, and Graham Whitehead The Playwriting of Jose Cruz Gonzalez by Susan Vaneta Mason Considering the Design Process The Plays The Magic Rainforest--An Amazon Journey Two Donuts Marisol's Christmas Tomas and the Library Lady Watermelon Kisses Old Jake's Skirts Lily Plants a Garden Salt & Pepper The Highest Heaven