Bilingual Study Guide for ZOOT SUIT by Luis Valdez
This complete guide features historical references, a glossary, discussion points and teaching curriculum
This bilingual discovery guide is your roadmap to understanding and interpreting Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez, whether the live performance or the published text. This play is based on two infamous yet important events in Los Angeles history, the 1942 Sleepy Lagoon Murder Trial and the 1943 Zoot Suit Riots.
You will also find key facts, dates, maps, photographs, vocabulary words, character profiles, original letters written from prison, newspaper articles of the era and other information relevant to the time period and events. After reviewing this guide you will be better equipped to understand this contentious period in Los Angeles history and how playwright Luis Valdez re-envisioned these dark events as pinnacles of Chicano unity, empowerment and pride.
Developed by Pomona College professor Dr. Alma Martínez, her students, and students across the five Claremont Colleges—and with the invaluable assistance of Luis Valdez and El Teatro Campesino, Dr. Janet Johns,Teresa Rodríguez, Mary McMahon and Jason Brown—the content and website have been five years in the making.
To access the guide, click here.
