Interview with Laura T. Garza, Director of ‘I-DJ’

Opening March 7 at the Cellar Theater is Teatro Audaz’s production of I-DJ, written by the late SATX artist, filmmaker and playwright Gregg Barrios.

It’s the story of Warren Peace (aka Amado Guerrero Paz), a gay Mexican American youth who finds his calling as a DJ. He spins the soundtrack of his life on the dance floor by night and by day in a gay send-up of Shakesqueer’s Ham-a-lot set to a dub-step beat of ecstasy, tainted love, Rollerena and Herb Alpert. When a younger DJ challenges him to a musical standoff, their stories and their music collide. Only one will emerge triumphant.

Director of the piece is Teatro Audaz’s Executive Artistic Director, Laura T. Garza, who gave ArtScene SA an exclusive interview about the show.

ArtScene SA: What makes “I-DJ” a good fit for Teatro Audaz?

Laura T. Garza: I-DJ is a great fit for Teatro Audaz, because not only is it a work that uplifts a Latine character, but it’s a work that uplifts the LGBTQ+ Community as well. Teatro Audaz strives to share stories from as many perspectives as we possibly can; representation matters. All Day, everyday. 24/7. It is with I-DJ that we finally have the opportunity to share a story about identity and reflection from a perspective that is bigger than the scope of just the Latine storytelling.”

Has the company produced other Gregg Barrios works before?

To my knowledge, no.

What will San Antonio audiences get out of seeing the show?

San Antonio audiences will get a fresh format out of this show. It’s a two-man cast in a very intimate space. San Antonio audiences will get the perspective of a Queer Latino lens told from one of their very own. The intimate setting fits the themes of the show perfectly, and I think it will give audiences a taste of what Teatro Audaz is capable of when it comes to authentic storytelling and performance, no matter the size of the production.

We also wish to honor Gregg Barrios and almost deliver a love letter to its original production — but of course with the Teatro Audaz flair.

Who’s in the cast? Any familiar faces?

We actually have two new faces in this cast. DJ Silent, played by Dominick Williams, is actually making his stage debut. He’s been working backstage for Teatro Audaz for a while, and we are excited to see him onstage for the first time.

Chris Munoz is making his Teatro Audaz debut, but he has been in many productions at San Antonio College, most recently as Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A role which garnered him an ATAC Award for Excellence as a Lead Actor in a Comedy.  We are excited to offer Chris his first professional opportunity with a script that suits him so well.

Give us the deets.

The show opens March 7th and runs through March 17th in The Cellar Theater at The San Pedro Playhouse located at 800 W. Ashby Pl. Tickets are available online. It was produced in association with Borderlands Shakespeare Colectiva.

Feature graphic by Geoffrey Douglas.