AZTEC PIRATES & THE INEQUITY OF SACRIFICE by David Davila

[FULL LENGTH] Three years after the deadly actions of ICE agent Johnny Montenegro changed their lives forever, Elida wants closure, Carmen wants absolution, and Michelle wants justice. But as they try to move on from the events of that traumatic night in South Texas, looming mysteries and visions of prophetic Aztec Warriors force them into a journey that will entangle their lives further.

Across...
[FULL LENGTH] Three years after the deadly actions of ICE agent Johnny Montenegro changed their lives forever, Elida wants closure, Carmen wants absolution, and Michelle wants justice. But as they try to move on from the events of that traumatic night in South Texas, looming mysteries and visions of prophetic Aztec Warriors force them into a journey that will entangle their lives further.

Across borders and allegiances this three part fantasia takes you on a harrowing and disturbing adventure that examines life for Latinx people caught between embracing their roots and conforming to the mob mentality of a Trump-era USA.

Part 2 in the epic trilogy: Aztec Pirates, a Latinx Fantasia on National Themes
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AZTEC PIRATES & THE INEQUITY OF SACRIFICE

Recommended by

  • The PlayGround Experiment:
    14 Dec. 2021
    “ We were honored to be a part of the early development of this play as well as the first play in this trilogy and cannot recommend it enough. Like part one it has everything good plays should have: strong characters, high stakes, compelling story and highly theatrical. So yes, we recommend this play. ”
  • Kit Goldstein Grant:
    9 Dec. 2021
    “ A gorgeous work that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and that brings you completely into the world of the characters as they struggle against internal and the external forces of a cruel world. Timely and mesmerizing. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    2 Apr. 2021
    “ A riveting journey that keeps us hooked as these characters struggle to make choices that will forever affect them and those around them. Well done. ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

The cast is is made up of 5 female and 3 male Latinx actors (who double some characters) to play Tejanos who live on the border of South Texas in what is known as the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The accent in this area is neither a classic Texas, nor a Mexican accent, but instead the South Western dialect of Southern California (if present at all). Many people in South Texas have a centralized commercial American accent and code switch into perfect Spanish when speaking Spanish words. The South Western dialect is more common in communities of lesser affluence, therefore Michelle might speak with this dialect while Elida and Johnny might speak as if they are actors in a Hollywood movie. Such is the complex duality of the RGV.

  • Elida Montenegro
    Thirties,
    Hispanic
    ,
    Female
    Johnny's wife, Hispanic. Wants more out of life, or at least wants everyone to think she has everything she wants in life.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Carmen Fernandez
    Thirties,
    Aztec-American
    ,
    Female
    Aztec-American, married to Beto, but nobody's wife! Extremely woke.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Michelle Salinas
    Twenties/Thirties,
    Latina
    ,
    Female
    Salvador's wife, a waitress, wants to be a soccer mom.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Beto Fernandez
    Thirties,
    Mexican-American
    ,
    Male
    ICE Officer, Johnny's partner, Mexican-American, a joker, a prankster, the life of the party.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Homer Resendez
    Thirties/Forties,
    Latino
    ,
    Male
    A very good looking, Latino surgeon, thirties or forties. (Also plays Pulido, & Ice Agent A)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Xochitl "Samantha" Rojas
    Early Twenties,
    Indigenous Latina
    ,
    Female
    A young immigrant woman from El Salvador, indigenous (also plays Irma)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Sister Molly
    Forties/Fifties,
    Latina
    ,
    Female
    A middle-aged Latina nun who runs the Catholic Charities Respite Center. The kind of woman who gets things done. (Also plays Terre, Judge, Ice Agent 2, and Woman in Detainment)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Johnny Montenegro
    Thirties,
    Latino
    ,
    Male
    Immigration & Customs Enforcement Officer, Latino. (Also plays Alfonso, Aztec Warrior & Waiter)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Alejandro
    Thirties,
    Latino
    ,
    Male
    A gay latino man, 30's, who has lost something. (Also plays Johnny etc.)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Capt. Pulido
    Thirties/Forties,
    Latino
    ,
    Male
    A forceful man. Latino, forties. (Also plays Homer & Ice Agent A)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Terre
    Forties/Fifties,
    Latina
    ,
    Female
    A Mexican-American woman trying to live her best life. (Also plays Sister Molly, Judge, Ice Agent B, and Woman in Detainment)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Irma
    Twenties,
    Latina
    ,
    Female
    A civil rights lawyer, Latina. (Also plays Xochitl)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    The Frank Silvera Writers Workshop
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    NYC Latinx Playwrights Circle
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Alexandra Castro Productions LLC
    ,
    2020