May 2009
Pesticide
Awareness
Theater
O
A Beyond Translation
Production—EPA R6
Increasing Hispanic Community Involvement
PILOT PARTNERS: Texas Department of
Agriculture, University of Texas at El Paso,
San Elizario ISO, La Union del Pueblo Entero
Center, Del Pueblo Press, and Centra de
Trabajadores Agricolas Fronterizos
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For more information contact:
Linda Falk (214)665-8535 - falk.linda@epa.gov
Paula Flores-Gregg (214) 665-8123 -
flores.paula@epa.gov
*% v0 "El Moscas" y Los Pesticidas
11 Involves Community, Informs,
%t PR^/ and Draws Big Laughs
"El Moscas" y los Pesticidas
(by Nephtalf De Leon) is a comical,
interactive community play created
to increase safety awareness for
individuals who work in areas that
are treated with pesticides, and the
"take-home" risks they may be
bringing to their families. While this
information could be viewed as dull
or not very interesting in a typical
presentation, "El Moscas" and his
friends, deliver a dialogue that is
clever, funny, and most important,
gets the key messages across.
On April 14, and 15, and May 1, 2009, the play was
piloted in San Elizario, El Paso, and San Juan, Texas.
Over 300 individuals
who ranged from es-
tablished farmers to
migrant workers to
community activists
viewed the presenta-
tions. Based on the
evaluations and com-
ments received from
the viewings, the pes-
ticide awareness in-
formation was much
needed and very well understood. Kids and parents gave it
excellent reviews for the use of a child actor and roach
characters, and it was stated that the play was "performed
with passion" and "with deep care and understanding of the
people we call farm workers."
Community Participation at it's Best!
Volunteers created costumes, student painted murals, farm
worker advocates provided venues and publicity, and local
talent donated time and effort.
In the next two months we will
be completing a packet that will
include the script, a sample of
the performance on DVD, and
a 'how to" booklet. Packets
will be available to groups and
organizations wishing to put
on similar pesticide awareness
productions.
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