Mando Alvarado, playwright and Pharr-TX native, paid a special visit to Drama Appreciation students at South Texas College this week to talk about his new play “Throat,” as well as his experiences in the theatre. “Throat” centers on the story of Cesar Rodriguez, a Marine recently returned from Iraq, who has escaped the bloody sands of a war torn country to confront a new reality on the streets of New York. 

Fellow Pharr-TX native and director Michael Ray Escamilla, executive producer Allison Prouty and actor Raul Castillo, a McAllen-TX native, who plays the lead role in “Throat,” also visited the class to talk about their perspectives on acting, directing, producing, and navigating the theatre world. Students listened to tales from each and were allowed to ask questions.

“It was wonderful for the students to get this kind of personal perspective from professionals who know what it is to start from the ground up, especially given that Alvarado, Escamilla and Castillo are from the Valley and now are actually producing theatre in New York City,” said Jean Daniels, Drama instructor at STC. “We are so thankful to all the visitors who were open and honest about their experiences and the chance to share dreams and aspirations that many of my students have and hope to pursue one day.  It was very unique to be able to have four professionals involved at different levels of the production together at one time while also having the opportunity to see “Throat”, which is on tour now, here in the valley.” 

More information about the play is available at www.throat06.com.  

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