A La Roro [10-minute]

by Art Por Diaz

"A La Roro" reimagines a Latin American lullaby as a ghostly battleground for bicultural identity. When a young child refuses to sleep, two legends—The Boogeyman and La Llorona—show up to claim the right to scare them. What begins as a turf war between monsters becomes a playful, poignant examination of immigration, heritage, and who gets to belong.

"A La Roro" reimagines a Latin American lullaby as a ghostly battleground for bicultural identity. When a young child refuses to sleep, two legends—The Boogeyman and La Llorona—show up to claim the right to scare them. What begins as a turf war between monsters becomes a playful, poignant examination of immigration, heritage, and who gets to belong.

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A La Roro [10-minute]

Recommended by

  • Rachael Carnes: A La Roro [10-minute] by Art Por Diaz
    “

    A beautiful piece, full of lush language and wonderfully developed characters, exposing and exploring the toughest subject matter, with humor and grace. If I taught middle or high school, I'd have my students read this play in their classroom, as it approaches our world in a way that is accessible and articulate to all ages. This is such a great play. Bravo!

    A beautiful piece, full of lush language and wonderfully developed characters, exposing and exploring the toughest subject matter, with humor and grace. If I taught middle or high school, I'd have my students read this play in their classroom, as it approaches our world in a way that is accessible and articulate to all ages. This is such a great play. Bravo!

    ”
  • Claudia Haas: A La Roro [10-minute] by Art Por Diaz
    “

    This is just a beautiful take on immigration as seen through a young boy and his nightmares. The fantasy gets just frightening enough before Michael/Miguel stops being scared and young audiences will be drawn into it. The debate about who has the right to scare the boy is both humorous and poignant. The use of a child's night terror perfectly highlights the political climate of our time. It's sweet with a little ghostly chill.

    This is just a beautiful take on immigration as seen through a young boy and his nightmares. The fantasy gets just frightening enough before Michael/Miguel stops being scared and young audiences will be drawn into it. The debate about who has the right to scare the boy is both humorous and poignant. The use of a child's night terror perfectly highlights the political climate of our time. It's sweet with a little ghostly chill.

    ”
  • Franky D. Gonzalez: A La Roro [10-minute] by Art Por Diaz
    “

    A wonderful nightmare about acceptance, equality, and the straddling the line of two cultures. Art Por Diaz creates a world where having to choose becomes an humorous exercise in impossibility. There is so much heart and tenderness here that children will love, with whispers of the themes that parents of bicultural children have to reckon with. A beautiful play about a boy and his two would-be scary monsters. This is a play that needs to be seen in more children's theatres.

    A wonderful nightmare about acceptance, equality, and the straddling the line of two cultures. Art Por Diaz creates a world where having to choose becomes an humorous exercise in impossibility. There is so much heart and tenderness here that children will love, with whispers of the themes that parents of bicultural children have to reckon with. A beautiful play about a boy and his two would-be scary monsters. This is a play that needs to be seen in more children's theatres.

    ”
View all 10 recommendations
Doubling: No doubling required
Flexible casting encouraged

Characters:
MICHAEL/MICHELLE (also referred to as MIGUEL/MICHELLE) – Latino/a child, around 8 years old. Curious, clever, and not easily scared. Can be played by any gender. Bilingual or with some Spanish familiarity preferred.

DAD – Latino man, late 20s to 30s. Young father, warm but tired, uses humor and tradition to parent.

LA LLORONA – Female-presenting. A legendary ghost from Latin American folklore. Speaks both Spanish and English; should have strong command of Spanish and a haunting, lyrical presence.

BOOGEYMAN – Male-presenting or non-binary. A traditionally “American” monster—goofy, prideful, and theatrical. Speaks English with rhythmic, stylized flair.

Notes:
Spanish-speaking and/or bilingual Latinx actors are strongly encouraged for Michael/Michelle, Dad, and La Llorona.
The play incorporates both humor and cultural nuance—actors should be comfortable moving between comedy and sincerity.
Accent work and physical storytelling are helpful for La Llorona and Boogeyman.

Development History

Awards

  • Gary Garrison National Ten Minute Playwriting Award
    Finalist
    2017