The journey is difficult for teen in ‘Grand Central’
There are times a play captures your full attention.
For Rachel Sedillo, this comes in the form of directing.
Her latest production is “In the Middle of Grand Central Station,” which opens at the Coal Avenue Theatre on Central Community College’s main campus.
It also marks the second time Sedillo has helmed the play in 10 years.
“I love this play, because I love the dynamics of the relationships,” Sedillo says. “It’s a hopeful play despite these abusive relationships.”
The play was written by Nancy Pahl Gilsenan.
It follows 15-year-old runaway Marty de Silva. She has been in and out of homeless shelters.
In the opening of the play, which takes place during two years of her life, she finds herself in Grand Central Station.
Every day, hundreds of thousands of people shuffle through Grand Central Station and pass by de Silva.
She wants to find a home and faces an unraveling world of heartbreak and addiction.
“She slowly becomes consumed by addiction and crime,” Sedillo says. “That forces her to start to lose a grip on reality.”
Sedillo says there are nine actors in the play and the rehearsal process has been a short one.
The cast is made up of Jenny Hoffman, Stephen Forrest, Jasmine Bernard, Kim Carlozzi, Mariah Martinez, Gino Gonzales, Stephen Armijo, Gabby Lara and Savannah Swartz.
Because the play is staged by Theatre 3, Sedillo says, she’s able to take chances with the production.
It’s not suited for children, as well, she says.
Formed by UNM graduates, Theatre 3 is a performance group based in Albuquerque. It is organized to foster the growth of new theater and to present new works by experimentation in creation and presentation.
With the play, Sedillo wants to bring awareness to the homeless teenage population.
“This is often talked about less,” she says. “The great thing we’re doing with the show is we’re going to be selling T-shirts, and half of the sales will go to New Day to help buy supplies for the homeless teens.”