Homeland Delivers Powerful Performance

By Lluvia Carrisoza - Visual Media Editor

On March 28, 2012

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Homeland is a collection of stories from undocumented immigrants in the United States. All the stories are moving on their own, but the young actors acting them out give life and power to these stories. The stories are all different and highlight a different struggle for undocumented immigrants, such as a young couple crossing the border on their honeymoon, a boy who must change his name in order to cross with his dad and a girl who is rejected from a job because she lacks a social security number even though she is the most qualified, among so many other stories.

These stories have the potential to reached the ears and hearts of many people. The young actors of the Albany Park Theater Project (APTP) have brought them to life in such a way that the audience was overwhelmed with emotion. Scene after scene seemed to have the whole audience teary-eyed.

One of the most eye-catching aspects of this production was the set design. The stage runs down the center of two sections of seats with two more traditional stages at each end. The stages were covered piles of traveling cases from all eras, giving the audience a sense of generations of undocumented immigrants being represented by the stories portrayed. Just from the set, one could tell how much time and effort was put into this production. Homeland was fascinating in all aspects, and missing any APTP production would be a shame.

The APTP premiered its first production in 1998 and since then they have created more than 50 original plays. APTP has a permanent home at the Laura Wiley Theater at Eugene Field Park.

APTP has also extended the performance of Homeland through April 28. Tickets are $6-$12 and you can get them online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/211694.

Also, NEIU's Undocumented, Resilient and Organized club (URO) will be co-sponsoring a special performance of Homeland on Wed. March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Laura Wiley Theatre (5100 N. Ridgeway Ave). For more information about this event you can contact uroneiu@gmail.com.