MANUEL OLIVER (Writer/Performer) Oliver s 17-year-old son Joaquín was ragically killed in 2018 by a mass shooter at his school in Parkland, Florida. In response, he and his wife, Patricia, founded the nonprofit advocacy group Change the Ref which aims to empower young leaders to end gun violence in America Oliver is an artist, reative director, and a ecognized mentor in the advertising industry He is also a global activist and international speake Together, the Olivers have partnered with politicians, musicians, influencers, and communities in their quest to find a new approach to America’s gun violence epidemic. @manueloliver00
JAMES CLEMENTS Co-Writer) is a Sco tish write acto theatermake and arts educator based between New York and Scotland His plays, which have been performed in cities ac os the United States Canada and the United Kingdom, have been described by critics as “searing” New York Times), “magnifying” Time Out), “intricate” BroadwayWorld), “compelling” (The Guardian), “a fecting” Playbill), and “intellectual” Theatre is Easy). He is the Co-Artistic Di ector o What Will the Neighbours Say? Theatre Company an Adjunct at NYU Tisch School o the Arts, and Artist-in-Residence with the Espacio de Cultu as JAMES CLEMENTS.COM
MICHAEL COTEY (Director/Producer) has spent the last six years exploring the role o theater in gun violence prevention He is the creator and Joaqu n Oliver Artistic Producer of ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence a national initiative encouraging teens to write short plays conf onting this ssue Michael co-developed Terminal Exhale, a verbatim theatre piece based on interviews with healthca e workers about their experiences with gun violence He is the executive producer o Rehearsal, a short film adaptation of an ENOUGH! play. Di ecting c edits: O f-B oadway: GUAC at The Public Select Regional: Woolly Mammoth Goodman Theat e Next Act Milwaukee Chamber Theat e Michael is currently the Goodman s 25/26 Northwestern Di ecting Fellow, as well as a 25/26 Obama Foundation USA Leader ENOUGHPLAYS.COM @ENOUGHPLAYSPROJECT
JUST NE BURKE (*) (Lighting Designer) is a New York City-based lighting and scenic designer A graduate o the Savannah College o Art and Design she worked as the resident lighting designer for the Lexington Children s Theat e befo e pursuing an MFA rom Northwestern University She is
Midwest egion including The House Theatre Milwaukee Chamber Theat e Lyric Theat e of Oklahoma Adventure Stage Chicago Thi d Avenue Playworks Actors Gymnasium, and Next Act Theatre.
TALYA CAMRAS (Stage Manager) At CTG: Jaja African Hair Braiding P oduction Assistant) Elsewhe e: he Importance o Being Earnest No a The Tempest Measu e for Measure (Antaeus), A Midsummer Night s D eam (A Noise Within) Sound of Music Ragtime (5-Star Theatricals) RENT Coeurage Ensemble)
he Merry Wives o Windsor (Kingsmen Shakespea e) Shrek Mamma Mia! SpongeBob Musical Romeo and Juliet (Milken) columbinus (KCACTF) Uncove ed, Family Ma ters (Braid) A Midsummer Night s Dream Theatricum Botanicum) Talya is grateful to be part o this amazing team.
Justin Kelley Cahill (Associate Lighting Designer is a California based theatrical designer originally from Alameda, CA, and a proud graduate of UCLA (Go Bruins!). Passionate about innovative storytelling, he seeks to illuminate the beauty of our differences through his work. He wants to thank to his two dads, his brother, and his friends for their all of their support. Much love to you all. Justin is honored to return to the Kirk Douglas Theatre for GUAC and its powerful message about standing up for gun reform and the boundless strength of love. Recent design credits include Dial M for Murder (CityLights), Fiddler on the Roof The Wizard of Oz, Of Mice and Men (Sierra Rep), Otherkin (The Road Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (SCP), Pacific Overtures (Kunoichi Productions), Electric (Theatre of NOTE). Associate design: GUAC (Center Theatre Group). Justink.c.designs | Justinkelley-cahill.com
CHANGE THE R EF SUPPORTS
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and social change harne sing this gene ation s spirit of activism and p oviding a platform for America s playwrights o tomor ow to discover and develop their voices today enoughplays.com, @enoughplaysproject
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On February 14 2018 our country lost 17 bright lives in the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida Among them was Joaquín Oliver— “Guac” to his family and friends Joaquín wasn’t just a name in the news or part of a devastating statistic. He was a son, a best friend, and a young man who filled 17 years with love, laughter, and dreams.
GUAC is not only the story of what happened that day–it’s a celebration of Joaquín’s life and the bond between him and his father, Manny, who now carries forward his son’s story with strength and love.
I wish I could say that GUAC feels like a story from the past. wish this play weren’t as urgent as it feels today. But the truth is, gun violence in our schools and communities continues every day. Since 2018, there have been nearly 400 school shootings in the United States, claiming more than 200 lives. Just this year we’ve witnessed tragedy a ter tragedy not only in schools but also churches college campuses, parks and other public spaces Gun violence—especially against our young people—is not inevitable It is preventable And i ’s something we cannot accept as the cost of growing up in this country
What makes GUAC so extraordinary is that it doesn’t just confront loss—it invites us to feel: to laugh to grieve and to act My hope is that tonight not only honors Joaquín s life but also sparks conversation healing and the determination to create change.
I am deeply grateful to Manny and his wife Patricia Joaquín s mom, for sharing their story with us, and to you for being here to witness it I also want to say thank you to CTG board member Aliza Karney Guren and Marc Guren whose generous support made this special return engagement possible. Through this play Joaquín s voice continues to be heard We dedicate this Los Angeles run o GUAC to him—with love remembrance and the resolve to do bette
Sincerely,
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