
El Vestido de Cristal: A Triumphant Celebration!
New Brunswick, New Jersey.-By Yeimy Castillo
The stage at coLAB Arts came alive this past December with El Vestido de Cristal, a Spanish-language play that captivated audiences with its heartfelt performances and profound storytelling. This powerful production brought together over 150 community members, celebrating the rich tapestry of New Brunswick’s Latino community and the oral histories that inspired it.

The stage at coLAB Arts came alive this past December with El Vestido de Cristal, a Spanish-language play that captivated audiences with its heartfelt performances and profound storytelling.

Produced by coLAB Arts, Teatro Esperanza is an ensemble-based theater group dedicated to amplifying the voices, stories, and experiences of New Brunswick’s Latine community. Created in partnership with New Brunswick Tomorrow’s Esperanza Neighborhood Project, the group creates performances centered around emergent social issues including housing, immigration, and identity. Community members engage in oral history and research work to inform and shape the original plays developed by professional artists Over the last two years, the team has collected nearly 60 oral histories from local residents, weaving these narratives into the fabric of their original works. This collaborative process ensures that each production reflects the lived experiences, struggles, and triumphs of the community it represents.

The Story Behind the Play:
El Vestido de Cristal, a Spanish-language play written by Tanaquil Márquez and directed by Marisol Rosa-Shapiro, is the story of Imelda, a fierce migrant mother, and her first-generation son Diego, a gay teen for acceptance. Set between a crystal factory and the vibrant world of Las Vegas drag, the play explores themes of identity, family, and self-expression. As Diego wrestles with his mother’s expectations and his journey, he navigates ideas of leaving and finding a home. With heartfelt performances, dance, music, and storytelling, El Vestido de Cristal captures the beauty in brokenness and the strength in embracing one’s true self in unfamiliar places. The play is an intergenerational tale of love, struggle, and transformation.

Audiences were treated to an immersive experience, featuring captivating storytelling, dynamic performances, music, dance, and visually striking staging. El Vestido de Cristal bridged generations and cultures, offering a vibrant depiction of Diego and Imelda’s worlds.
The play premiered on December 20th at coLAB Arts, with two additional performances on December 21st, interspersed with a community dinner. This interstitial event honored the narrators whose oral histories shaped the production, with special performances by Teatro Esperanza’s community workshop members, creating an atmosphere of connection and celebration.
As anticipation builds for the next production on March 14 and 15, 2025, El Vestido de Cristal leaves behind a legacy of unity, creativity, and hope.