• Option 1: What was the experience of reading the text, La Gringa? To what extent were you able to envision the scenes? How did what you imagined compare to what you saw in the staged performance (live or streaming)? What things were exactly how you saw them in your mind? What things were different? How did seeing the play performed change how you understood the written script?

As someone who visits her homeland often, reading  La Gringa allowed me to envision myself in Maria’s story as if it were my own. Throughout the text, there were many instances where I was able to visualize the scenes happening in places that I have been before, such as my father’s farm in the countryside or driving through curving roads in the lush mountains of the DR. As I read through Maria’s journey, I also could not help but think of my own and the similar experiences I have had returning home after living in the U.S. To me, the most striking parts of the text were the descriptive aspects that allowed me to create vivid imagery of each scene, and allowed me to immerse myself in the setting of Maria’s experiences.

Elements such as stage design, lighting, sounds effects, and the interpretation of characters by the stage actors all contributed to shaping my perception of the story. The stage design and set up of the scenes were (understandably) not at all how I envisioned when reading the text. As it took place in a small theater, there was not a lot of creativity when it came to portraying the places visited. Many scenes that were meant to take place outdoors such as the visit to Monchi’s farm left a lot to the imagination when watching the staged performance.

Reading the script, the scenes easily flowed to make up the story I envisioned in my head. When it came to watching the staged performance, there was a clear separation between scenes and the different rooms they each took place in. Additionally, the jokes and charisma of the actors added an extra spark to the initial personas I had envisioned when reading the script. Overall, I was grateful to have read the text before watching the performance. The vivid imagery I created in my head while reading and the added charisma of the performers tied in with the story well. It enriched my understanding of the story and characters while providing a unique and engaging theatrical experience (and my first!).