Publicity Contact

For Immediate Release:

CALTECH’S MOVIES THAT MATTER SERIES PRESENTS

ABOUT…PRODUCTIONS'

L.A. REAL: A THEATRICAL REEL

FILM PREMIERE SCREENING ON MAY 14, 2024

AT CALTECH’S RAMO AUDITORIUM

April 17, 2024 (Los Angeles, California) – Caltech’s Movies That Matter Series presents About…Productions’ L.A. Real: a theatrical reel. The premiere screening takes place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium; and is followed by a Q&A with Theresa Chavez, L.A. Real writer whose ancestral story is central to the film. Admission is FREE and open to the public. Reservations are strongly advised and are available HERE. Doors open at 7:00, with program starting at 7:30 PM. Film trailer HERE.

L.A. Real: a theatrical reel, directed by Claudio Rocha, features the live capture of actor/musician Marlene Beltran in her 2023 solo stage performance of L.A. Real. All the compelling theatrical elements are on screen: vintage photography; paintings; original theme music by César Castro “Jarochelo”; songs by Castro, Theresa Chavez, and Beltran; as well as video vignettes featuring Marco Rodriguez as Rodolfo Serling in a homage to The Twilight Zone.

In L.A. Real, a Latina dives deep into her California ancestral history, pondering its many complicated layers and grappling with how she should embrace it on a personal, political, and cultural level. How can she connect to a past that has nearly been lost in time, and move forward with a deeper sense of her own identity? Originally premiering in 1992, this interdisciplinary performance piece is written and directed by 7th generation Californio Theresa Chavez (Producing Artistic Director of About…Productions). Celebrating the production's 30th anniversary and its inclusion in the About...Productions' Original Theaterworks Collection in the California State University Northridge Digital Library Collection, the production was revised and restaged in 2023 at Plaza de la Raza’s Margo Albert Theatre.

“We’re thrilled to premiere L.A. Real: a theatrical reel as part of this film series and to bring this historical and personal journey to a wider audience,” Chavez says. “We’re glad to have the opportunity to dialogue about the complicated past that is California. Real in the title refers to real estate, film reel, real history, and the Spanish word for royal. It’s through these elements that this journey is framed, along with my personal familial myths, and images, told through the stories and songs of the Mestiza Narrator.”

Michael Alexander (Caltech’s Campus Arts & Culture Liaison) says: “I am so gratified that we are able to bring Theresa Chavez’ play through film to our audiences. The topic should be of interest to anyone who lives in our region and we hope to attract people from throughout the community to this important presentation. And I’m so grateful that Theresa will be here for the post-screening Q&A and conversation with the audience.”

EVENT TITLE:

L.A. Real: a theatrical reel

TYPE OF EVENT:

Film screening with Q&A

DATE:

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

TIME:

Doors Open: 7:00 PM

Screening with Q&A: 7:30 PM

VENUE:

Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium

332 South Michigan Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106  

free parking structures located on South Wilson Avenue

campus map HERE.

TICKETS:

Available HERE.

HIGH RESOLUTION PRESS PHOTOS, PUBLICITY IMAGES, and FILM TRAILER:

L.A. Real publicity materials and event graphics available HERE.

FILM CREDITS:

Film Direction, Cinematography and Editing by Claudio Rocha

Written and Stage Direction by Theresa Chavez

Performed by Marlene Beltran

Twilight Zone homage video performed by Marco Rodriguez

Songs written by César Castro “Jarochelo”, Theresa Chavez, and Marlene Beltran

Theme music by César Castro “Jarochelo”

Sound Editing/Mixing by César Castro “Jarochelo”

Video Camera Assistance by Mariano Rocha

Set Design by Dorothy Hoover

Costume Design by Jeanette Godoy

Video Projection Design by Ly Eisenstein

Lighting Design by Ry Burke

Production Stage Management by Alexandra Jimenez

Produced by About…Productions

CALTECH’S MOVIES THAT MATTER

Caltech’s Movies That Matter series presents films that address critical scientific and civic issues of interest to the community.  Most films are screened for free on campus and always include an open conversation involving the film maker and/or campuås experts. 

caltech.edu/series/movies-that-matter

ABOUT…PRODUCTIONS

About...Productions creates original interdisciplinary theaterworks and educational programs that provoke new perspectives on history, humanity, and culture. Now in its 35th year, the company is dedicated to generating new work through collaboration to create artistic and community dialogue. The award-winning company believes in the power of theater to enlighten audiences, transform youth, and celebrate the lives of elders. Its theaterworks and educational programs unearth and illuminate cultural histories of Latin America, the Southwest, California, and Los Angeles. The company has toured throughout the U.S., and in Canada, and been featured on national television. More info at aboutpd.org.

aboutpd.org

facebook.com/aboutpd

instagram.com/aboutpd

twitter.com/aboutpd

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on  L.A. Real: a theatrical reel

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Marlene Beltran (photo credit: Rob Aft)

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