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The newest name in El Paso performance art, Star Seeds Productions, came to life on April 24 with the staging of their first play, "The Little Dog Laughed" by Douglas Carter Beane.
The company was founded earlier this year by Gene Salgado, 23, and Mandy Shantyne Lopez, 22, with the idea to not only cater to theatrical audiences, but also to create a channel for people to experience local artistic and musical talent.
"I want (the audience) to walk away with the sense that there is talent in El Paso," Salgado said. "We're all local people, we all have jobs, we all have school and we're trying to do something for others to say that things can be done in this town, you know, creatively."
Salgado and Lopez, both UTEP seniors majoring in theatre, started the production company in pursuit of a more evolving and professional performing experience after several seasons with Viva El Paso.
"I'd performed in almost every venue in this town, I thought 'you know what, we need to have a different outlet of art'," Lopez said. "It just needs to be something that you create and you have fun doing, and all artists should collaborate and do what they love to do."
Soon after, Star Seeds Productions was born. The name, in the metaphysical world, means souls that were re-incarnated from different planets to bring creativity on earth, Lopez said.
Two hours of live musical performances and a showcase by local artists took place at the reception for "The Little Dog Laughed," something that Star Seeds plans to do for every performance. Salgado said the audience could expect not only a great pre-show but also a hilarious production with top-notch talent.
"I thought that was a good way to relax," said 22-year old Lawrence Estrada, who was part of the audience on April 24. "It makes (for) a good way to know people, a friendly atmosphere."
Their inaugural play is a witty and fast-paced insight into the bittersweet business of Hollywood. With fun and clever dialogue "The Little Dog Laughed" delves deeply into the sacrifices and compromises that are made in order to reach the dream of stardom.
The clash between sexual desires and the practical need to keep up public appearances sets the conflict between a rising actor, Mitchell (Gene Salgado), and his agent as she meets Alex (Damian Dena), Mitchell's male-escort 'friend' and Ellen (Alma Sierra), Alex's needy girlfriend.
"It's the story of this agent and her client trying to get a movie produced out of a play and it deals with a lot of issues of homosexuality in the business," Salgado said, warning that the play is "a slice of how cruel (show) business can be."
"The Little Dog Laughed" contains mature themes and dialogue that may not be suitable for children, but is very entertaining for adults, especially for those looking for a new perspective on Hollywood's conventional boy-meets-girl scenario.
"I liked it," said 20 year old audience member Mark Fuselier. "I had never been to a play before and I really liked it."
Two more performances will take place at 8 p.m. May 1-2 at the El Paso Center Stage Studios, located at 5411 N. Mesa St. Tickets are $10 and concessions are available prior to the show and during intermission.
For more information on Star Seeds and their future productions, visit www.myspace.com/creativeenlightenment.
Pamela Prieto may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.
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