Last weekend Iowa State Theatre, in cooperation with Latino Studies Program and World Theatre Workshop, performed biting satires dealing with stereotypes and politics toward the Latino and Chicano population.

For the past 6 weeks the cast worked with guest director Tomas Avila Carrasco to bring these two short plays to life.

The first of the short plays the small cast presented was called “Don’t Panic Get Hispanic,” in which a young Latina applies for a position at a major computer company. Her ignorant white-collar employer distresses over her abrasive manner and disapproves of the Spanish pronunciation of her name, preferring an English interpretation.

The young Latina breaks down when her employer decides that she “just doesn’t fit in” and needs to be fired.

However, to the laughter of the audience, the skit turns into a commercial for the revolutionary new product called “Don’t Panic Get Hispanic” which, upon application, promises drastic consequences when the young Latina re-applies for her job.

“Don’t Panic Get Hispanic” adequately portrayed stereotypes involving Latina women in the work world. Though the costumes were vivid and the tone was sarcastic, comedic and satirical, one could distinguish a bitter sense of underlying reality this short play emulates.

The message is to take pride in one’s culture, not adapt a watered-down version of one’s heritage in order to please those who do not understand or appreciate it.

The second play was called “Los Vendidos,” translating into “the sold ones.” In this piece, the setting is the display area of the shrewd business “Honest Sancho’s Used Mexicans and Curios” where people can buy Chicanos for their own personal work or pleasure.

A bumbling secretary from Governor Vilsack’s office stumbles into Honest Sancho’s in the hopes of purchasing the perfect Chicano to work in the Governor’s office. The secretary, though her Latina culture is evident, has been totally Americanized and refuses to accept Latino and Chicano ways.

Her choices include: a scarlet Zoot-suit clad Chicano thug, a tired overall-wearing field worker and a camouflaged revolutionary.

The audience laughs at the stereotypical portrayal of all the characters involved and the almost surreal humor, but understands the satirical revelation of American ignorance and conventions.

According to Gary Zobel from Marshalltown, the plays succeeded in representing the stereotypes that many people make towards the Latino and Chicano culture.

“It was a good depiction of what a lot of people think,” says Mr. Zobel. “It’s nice to see someone else’s version of what an experience is like for them.”

Heath Israel, from Des Moines, believes the presentation was something that many people should attend.

“I would recommend it to everyone,” says Israel. “A lot of Americans suffer from tunnel vision, and anything that gets rid of that is beneficial.”

Overall, the two plays were a good representation of the struggles and stereotypes dealt with by the Chicano/a and Latino/a culture.

An added plus was dialogue made on current English-only legislation, bringing a realistic and closer feeling to the production.

“Los Vendidos” and “Don’t Panic Get Hispanic” is recommended for anyone wanting to appreciate their culture or learn about someone else’s.

– Luke Rolfes is a junior in English from Polk City.