Our process for bringing Plumas Negras to the stage began when our department's season selection committee agreed that it's an important, resonant, and moving story that would enrich the educational journey of our students and have a significant impact on our audiences. As I began to prepare for the casting process and the beginning of the design and production team's journey, I found myself asking: Where does our food come from? What does it mean to put food on the table? What is women's work?

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This summer, before we began rehearsals, I traveled to California and spent time in the Salinas Valley, including the fields, forests, and the East Salinas community. I was struck by the natural beauty of the fog, the intense presence of crows near the ocean (everywhere, really), and the constant appearance of the fields (they dominate the geography)> I now think of these fields, the fog that covers them in the mornings, and the people that toil for hours each day, every time I open a package of mixed greens or see a head of lettuce in the store or eat a salad in a restaurant. In the last weeks of rehearsal, I found that the actors' presence, as well as the creativity of the designers, evoked a strong sense of these places and a great reverence for the people that inspired this script.

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Between the cast of students (all are current UTEP students majoring or minoring in Theatre)< the faculty and student designers and technicians, and the faculty and staff who mentor the students, there are at least 70 people responsible for this production. These costumes are designed by my accomplished faculty colleauge, Leticia Delgado, who sets an example for her students and peers that I strive to emulate. The lighting, sound effects, scenery, and props are designed by students who are each at an important step of their learning process, which is a privelege to witness. And along that journey, we get realistic-looking beer cans and lettuce, haunting ambient sounds, and a lot of glorious dirt. These triumphs have been documented and organized by our stage management and audience development teams, and I'm honored to learn from them every day.

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I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and the encouragement of our playwright, Juliette Carrillo, as we continue to harvest this special piece of theatre from the rich soil that is the UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance. Thank you for joining us.