Question

What did you learn from viewing "Zoot Suit"?

Which "SLO" do you think is best achieved from this play/show?

Which ending did you think is most appropriate?

Why did Luis Valdez give you choices?

Answer 1

Overview

In june 1943, a series of conflicts occur in Los Angeles between US sevicemen and Mexican youths, later of whom wore outfits calles zoot suit. Tensions ran high between zoot suiters and the large continent of white sailors, soldiers and marines stationed in and around Los Angeles. Mexican americans were serving in the military in high numbers but many servicemen viewed the zoot suit wearers as World War 2 draft dodgers.

The racially charged atmosphere in Los Angeles exploded in a no of full scale riots. Mobs of US servicemen took to the streets and began attacking latinos and stripping them of their suits, leaving them bloodied and half naked on the sidewalk.

Luis Valdez has emerged as an international leader in alternative theatre. He was the US representative to the 1971 third world theatre conferenceheld in the phillipines and delegate to first American congress of theatre in 1973 at Princeton University. In january of 1978, Valdez was named recepient of the prestigious Rockfeller foundation playwright in residence award in connection with the production of his original play, Zoot Suit.