Somerville play exposes dangers for day laborers

On May 20, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

Immigrants
who gather at Foss Park each morning as early as 5 am looking for work
as day laborers are the subject of a new play that will enjoy its
community premiere on Friday, May 21st , at the Black Box Theater at
the Elizabeth Peabody House, 277 Broadway. The program begins at 7:30
pm.

The new play, "They Don't Tell You Anything!" will be
performed as part of an evening of theater, stories and conversation
about the struggles and challenges that many Somerville residents face
after they are picked up by contractors each morning to paint or
perform demolition work. Written by playwright and English teacher
Meryl Becker, the play will be performed by student actors from the
Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE).

Becker
wrote the play in consultation with day laborers, union organizers and
worker safety experts. SCALE student actors modified and finalized the
play based on their own work experiences. SCALE, The Welcome Project
and the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Health and Safety
(MassCOSH) are co-producing the event.

The evening will be
filled with the stories of Somerville residents, who face working
conditions that have literally poisoned members of immigrant families
in the city.

Following the play will be a conversation among the
audience and the actors, immigrant workers, and safety experts,
moderated by the Chair of Tufts Drama and Dance Department, Barbara
Grossman.

"No matter where you are from, you need to know that
if you work with chemicals you can get hurt and your family can get
hurt," said Felipe Montarroyos, a Somerville resident from Brazil who
plays a painter in the play. "If everyone tried to protect themselves
and others, it would be a better world."

This community premiere of "They Don't Tell You Anything!" is free and open to the public.

Major
funding for this project comes from the Mass Humanities Foundation and
the Somerville Arts Council/Massachusetts Cultural Council. Other
contributors include Feinmann, Inc. Build/Design, Massachusetts
Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS), and Tufts University.