Comedy team teaches culture, entertains audience

Chicano theater is slowly developing across the United States, starting with the non-profit organization Teatro Izcalli.

Teatro Izcalli Comedy Troupe entertained students and Greeley community members Thursday in Lindou Auditorium.

Their skits illustrated the minority smoothly adapting to American culture, as well as incorporating their own culture. They used both languages, shared urban legends and protested the outrageous prices of movie theater food.
Izcalli is based in San Diego and has traveled across the United States for 15 years.

“I thought the performance went better than expected,” said Nelson Rodriguez, a senior political science and sociology major and a member of Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity. “They brought something very new to our community. Obviously, you don’t see a lot of Latinos doing what they do, but the audience was able to connect with the performance while getting a few laughs out of it. It was really fun, good comedy and I think everyone who was there had a great time.”

Hector Villegas, one of the members of Izcalli, said they are looking to make the movement bigger.

“Think about it,” Villegas said, “It’s 2010, and this is the first time (America) has seen Chicano theater.”

Villegas also said minorities are swiftly adapting to American culture, and Teatro Izcalli has helped to improve America’s adjustment to Chicano culture.

Alicia Chavez-Arteaga, another member of the troupe, said they want to reach out to the youth, especially because they want to encourage higher education.

“We are all college graduates,” Chavez- Arteaga said. “They target high schools to reach out to the younger generation and build them up in society. We try to teach the young adults the culture and give a lot of support to them so they can graduate.”

Mike Slomanson, a troupe member, said their goal for travelling everywhere is to mainly give support to the minorities in college.

“We try to help men and women establish their own identity,” Slomanson said.

He also said they spend a great deal of time empowering children with the knowledge of who they are and becoming comfortable in their own skin.
Izcalli has four segments to it: the theater group, summer project and men and women support groups. The summer project is similar to a summer school where people can learn about the Chicano  culture.

“This is where we have anyone and everyone come learn more about Chicano art, music and literature,” said Iyari Arteaga, a troupe member.

She also said the support groups are for self-empowerment and self-esteem building. For more information, visit www.izcalli.org.