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Coming up this spring as part of the School of Theatre Arts and Dance (STAD) 2024-25 season is That Day in Tucson by Guillermo Reyes. Not only will this socially relevant story come to life on the stage for the community to experience, but students will get to work with the playwright himself as well as acclaimed guest director Julio Agustin.

The play tells the true story of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was gravely injured in a 2011 Tucson shooting, and Daniel Hernandez, Jr., the young intern credited with saving her life. Thrust into the national spotlight, Hernandez navigates his journey as a gay, bicultural, bilingual Latino balancing identity and public life in the aftermath of tragedy. 

This story continues to resonate deeply today, in a world still struggling with gun violence and advocating for the rights and safety of marginalized groups. That Day in Tucson provides a human lens for exploring these topics and addresses the challenges of holding intersecting identities. By highlighting the courage and struggles of Hernandez, an ordinary individual thrust into extraordinary circumstances, the play challenges audiences to consider their roles as allies and advocates for change.

Running now through Feb. 16, in the Norton Theatre, the play will be directed by guest artist Agustin, a Broadway veteran and visionary director. His work as a director and choreographer has earned him nominations for several prestigious awards, and his book, The Professional Actor’s Handbook: From Casting Call to Curtain Call, is a vital resource for aspiring performers. Agustin is also a contributor to Latinx Actor Training, writing about challenges and opportunities for Latinx actors. With dedication to mentorship and advocacy, he has become a powerful voice for inclusion and diversity in the performing arts. 

Playwright Guillermo Reyes will also be on campus during opening weekend for a post-show talkback. Reyes is an acclaimed playwright and professor at Arizona State University’s School of Film, Dance and Theatre. Known for his compelling explorations of identity and intersectionality, Reyes has written extensively and authentically about the Latino and LGBTQIA+ experience. He is the author of Madre and I: A Memoir of Our Immigrant Lives, which chronicles his immigration journey from Chile to the United States and his experiences growing up in D.C. and Hollywood. 

STAD is proud to host Reyes and Agustin and present this powerful story that supports and advances the university’s commitment to inclusivity and recent designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Through theater, this production reflects the bicultural and bilingual experiences of the local community and explores LGBTQIA+ narratives within broader social contexts, bridging art and advocacy in a way that is both timely and essential.