Advertisement

Midland Center to Virtually Present Playwright Ricardo Perez Gonzalez in Masters Series

Jason A. Michael

Human rights activist and playwright Ricardo Perez Gonzalez will be featured in a special virtual event Wednesday, Oct. 28, presented by the Midland Center for the Arts. Perez Gonzalez will speak about his activism and work in the theater as well as give craft suggestions to a local playwright as part of the center's Masters Series.

Perez Gonzalez, a self-identified "Puerto Rican writer, activist, wannabe woodland creature and sex-positive Queer Gurl of Color," aims to make his creative work reflect his passion for activism and breaking the status quo.

His play, "On the Grounds of Belonging," was inspired by a conversation he had with two black men named Michael and Stanley. They told him about their experiences at two racially segregated gay bars in Houston in the 1960s and he used their stories and his additional research as the foundation for this groundbreaking play.

"The importance of queer love in times of resistance and the ongoing threat to Black bodies feels more urgent today than I wish it did," Perez Gonzalez said. "Stories like this belong in our larger cultural narrative. Now is the time to reaffirm that U.S. history is queer history."

An advocate for human rights on and off stage, Perez Gonzales is making an impact by writing about influential topics.  His works include "Inside Out" which raised awareness about anti-bullying, "La casa de Ocaso" about a transgender family and "Losses and Gains" about gay male body image.

The Midland Center for the Arts is presenting Perez Gonzalez as part of its dedicated effort to offer diverse programming that caters to every interest and age group, and events that promote diversity, equity, inclusion and access in the Great Lakes Bay region.

Tickets for the virtual event are $10 per household and available online at midlandcenter.org or by calling the box office at 989-631-5930. Subscriptions for a virtual pass are available for $9.99/month.

Advertisement
Advertisement

From the Pride Source Marketplace

Go to the Marketplace
Directory default
Multi-service, multicultural organization providing HIV testing and counseling, prevention and…
Learn More
Directory default
Mark specializes in Chemical & Process (out-of-control behaviors) Addictions, Sex Addiction,…
Learn More
Directory default
Tri-Pups, Inc. is a full service Residential and Commercial Remodeling and Maintenance Company…
Learn More
Advertisement