For Schools

JSonic & the Unknown - Field Trip

By Idris Goodwin

Most enjoyed by Grades 4-8th

Field Trip: Weekdays, September 9th- October 3rd

M,T, Th, F- 9:30 am and 11:30 am
W- 10:30 am

Location: John Paul Theatre at Phoenix College

Price: $15 per person, Field Trip Plus: $18 per student

Performances at John Paul Theatre at Phoenix College

Runtime: 80 minutes, including talkback.

Tomás Rivera travels with his Amá, his Apá, his Grandfather, Papá

Grande, and his little brother Enrique from Crystal City, Texas, all the

way to Hampton, Iowa, to find work picking corn, spinach and beets.

Tomás is haunted by memories of a teacher in his Texas school who

punished him for speaking Spanish. His parents are worried about him,

but reassure him that he is smart and talented, and that his Papá

Grande thinks he will become a writer or a painter some day.

When the Riveras arrive in Iowa, they discover that their new home is

little more than a chicken coop. But the family carries on, getting

occasional treats like pan dulce, (sweet bread) and listening to Apá

Grande’s stories. One day Tomás’ Amá sends him to the post office,

and he discovers the Carnegie Library next door. The Library Lady

invites him in and introduces Tomás to books about anything and

everything he can possibly imagine. Tomás enthusiastically shares the

new stories that he has found with his family, and he and his brother

Enrique find other books in the town dump. Tomás teaches the Library

Lady some Spanish, while he becomes more confident in English and

realizes that he doesn’t need to be afraid of the Nightmare Teacher any

longer. Then comes the day when Tomás comes to visit the library with

his Papá Grande and tells her that he must teach her a sad word in

Spanish: Adiós.

Tomás Rivera grew up to become the father of Chicano literature, as

well as the Chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. The

library there bears the name of the boy who was encouraged to read

by a library lady in Iowa.

Based on the true story of Tomás Rivera and the book by Pat Mora,

this play is a celebration of reading, imagination and creativit

When JSonic, an intergalactic hero known for his sonic powers, crash-lands on the eerily silent planet of Whisper, he finds himself in a world where noise is forbidden, and sound is just a myth. Stranded and stripped of his abilities, JSonic must team up with a band of unlikely heroes—mysterious locals who secretly yearn for sounds of freedom. Together, they set out on a daring mission to restore the beat, sparking a movement that will resonate across the cosmos and bring harmony back to a universe out of tune.

This high-energy adventure is filled with cosmic beats, rhythmic storytelling, and unexpected friendships. J Sonic and the Unknown dares to imagine a world where creativity and expression triumph. This Afrofuturistic journey is a celebration of rhythm, resilience, and the unstoppable force of imagination.

Big Idea: Power of Your Voice

JSonic & the Unknown developed as a part of the Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) BIPOC Superhero Project, a nationwide initiative connecting playwrights of color with TYA theaters and bringing communities together through inspiring stories of new heroes.

JSonic & the Unknown by Idris Goodwin produced by special arrangement with author.

Book Field Trip

Questions?

Interested in Field Trip PLUS?

"Plus up" your field trip experience and extend your learning with interactive drama activities connected to the themes of the show! Want to learn more? Contact Ceducation@childsplayaz.org.

Dicounted Field-trip ticket prices are underwritten by Cheryl Mandala

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