Starring Manuel Oliver
November 3, 2023 @ 7:00 pm
November 11, 2023 @ 2:00 pm
SYNOPSIS
What do you do when you lose a son? Take it from Manuel Oliver, the father of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, you have to do what you do best.
Fearless, funny, and pulling zero punches, GUAC is a one-man tour-de-force about a father turned activist, his undying love for his son, and the story of an immigrant family in search of the American Dream only instead to be confronted by a uniquely American Nightmare.
CAST & CREATIVES
Manuel Oliver
Manuel Oliver’s 17-year-old son, Joaquin, was killed in 2018 by a mass shooter at his school in Parkland, Florida. He co-founded the non-profit advocacy group, “Change the Ref,” which seeks to vote out politicians who take NRA money and vote in politicians with gun-safety agendas. @manueloliver00
Michael Cotey
Michael Cotey (Director/Producer) is the creator and Joaquin Oliver Artistic Producer behind ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence, a nationwide playwriting initiative that calls on teens to write short plays that confront gun violence that are then presented in readings across the country. He is also the Line Producer for World Premiere Wisconsin, an inaugural first-of-its-kind statewide new play festival. Michael graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in Acting and from Northwestern University with an MFA in Directing. michaelcotey.com @mcotey
Producers
Change the Ref
Change the Ref was formed to amplify and support youth efforts and movement building, shifting America’s social response to gun violence, by uniting creativity, activism, disruption, and education. changetheref.org
ENOUGH!
ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence calls on teens to confront gun violence by creating new works of theatre that will spark critical conversations and inspire meaningful action in communities across the country. Our mission is to promote playwriting as a tool for self-expression and social change, harnessing this generation’s spirit of activism and providing a platform for America’s playwrights of tomorrow to discover and develop their voices today. Now in its third year, ENOUGH! has received more than 500 short plays by teen writers and more than 100 organizations have participated in ENOUGH!’s two previous Nationwide Readings. enoughplays.com
GUAC had a 1 night only performance in Chicago, the day after what would have been Joaquin’s 23rd birthday. This is what the audience had to say:
“I will never forget last night. He told the TRUTH.”
“It was a remarkable, important, and emotional experience. Congratulations to all of you – vital theater and storytelling to be sure.”
“Still reeling from last night’s performance of GUAC. So incredibly powerful, moving, heartwrenching, maddening and, surprisingly, funny. Manny is a charismatic, authentic and effective spokesman for the cause. I hope someone videotaped it. It should be required viewing in Congress, State and City legislatures. Great directing job, as well. The sound, lighting, music all worked perfectly. Thank you all so much. #HonorWithAction 🧡🫂”
Running Time: 90 minutes
Genre: Drama, Storytelling, Multimedia
Website: https://www.enoughplays.com/guac
