Yamel Cucuy, an original play award-winning play by Glass Half Full Theatre, returns to Austin before heading to Los Angeles

The story of a girl on the precipice of adulthood, the play follows a young girl named Yamel as she faces the physical and metaphysical violence of borders. Living under the constant fear of deportation, Yamel’s imagination is haunted by both the specter of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agents and the stories of Cucuys she grew up hearing in Mexico. On the day that all her ghosts become real, Yamel sets out on a journey to the heart of her fears.

Set to an original score of indigenous percussion and folkloric guitar, Yamel Cucuy blends sophisticated puppetry with live actors and draws upon frightening folk tales and modern horror movies to create a terrifying psychological landscape of legal and spiritual pitfalls.

Originally presented during the 2022-23 season, Yamel Cucuy captured the imaginations and hearts of audiences and critics, closing out its previous run with several sold out performances, and garnering 12 B. Iden Payne Awards (out of 17 nominations), including Best Production of a Drama. Created for adult audiences. Teens welcome.

We’re remounting this production so we can cover the costs of attending a festival in Los Angeles (which we’re not allowed to tell you about just yet!) What does this mean? Well, we’ve had to recast actors that are able to venture away from Austin for 3 weeks. That means Yamel Cucuy finds a renewed voice with the addition of new cast members, while retaining the precise and intentional storytelling that made audiences fall in love with this show the first time around.

Featuring:
Diana Guizado/Gricelda Silva (Yamel Alternates)
Gustavo Martinez (Xavier/Chupacabrón)
Minerva Villa (Zaira/Las Lloronas)
Veronica Pomata (La Lechuza/Flaca)
Victor Santos (El Viejo/ICE Agent)
Jen Brown (Reina/Puppeteer)
Connor Hopkins (ICE Agent/Puppeteer)

Directed by Caroline Reck
Original score by Paul Pinon
Dramaturgy by Alexis A. Arredondo & James Montaño
Sound Design by K. Eliot Haynes
Lights by Rachel Atkinson
Puppetry & Scenic Design by Caroline Reck, Indigo Rael, and Connor Hopkins
Costumes by Annie Ulrich