Arbolito

by raul garza

In a remote Southwestern desert town, tough-hearted Esther scrapes by as proprietor of the family motel alongside her idealistic niece, Octavia. In addition to the crumbling motel, their property is home to a sacred and magical tree, Arbolito, that thrives in an environment it should not endure.

When Arbolito begins to wither, its roots expose long-buried secrets. And as their beliefs and shared truths unravel...

In a remote Southwestern desert town, tough-hearted Esther scrapes by as proprietor of the family motel alongside her idealistic niece, Octavia. In addition to the crumbling motel, their property is home to a sacred and magical tree, Arbolito, that thrives in an environment it should not endure.

When Arbolito begins to wither, its roots expose long-buried secrets. And as their beliefs and shared truths unravel, Esther and Octavia must choose between saving a vanishing past or embracing an uncertain future.

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Arbolito

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: Arbolito by raul garza
    “

    A fantastic play the environmental impact of the oil industry and the lengths people will go to hold on to the past.

    A fantastic play the environmental impact of the oil industry and the lengths people will go to hold on to the past.

    ”
  • Caitlin Strom-Martin: Arbolito by raul garza
    “

    This play is a gorgeously drawn slow-burn full of beautiful dialogue, memorable characters, and astounding production possibilities. There are surreal and mythical elements that entice the audience to follow along with the more grounded familial and human elements. It's a haunting, satisfying journey. I am absolutely mesmerized by this work, and hope it gets a full production soon.

    This play is a gorgeously drawn slow-burn full of beautiful dialogue, memorable characters, and astounding production possibilities. There are surreal and mythical elements that entice the audience to follow along with the more grounded familial and human elements. It's a haunting, satisfying journey. I am absolutely mesmerized by this work, and hope it gets a full production soon.

    ”
PAULA: Woman. Latina. Middle-aged to Senior. Wise and emotionally engaged. Nontraditional. Octavia’s absent mother, Esther’s sister.

HOLLIS: Man. Anglo. Middle-aged to Senior. World-wise, by-your-own-bootstraps kind of Texan. Transactional and culturally out of touch.

OCTAVIA: Woman. Latina. 30ish. Idealistic but stuck. Intuitive and expressive. Esther’s niece, Paula’s daughter.

ESTHER: Woman. Latina. Middle-aged to Senior. Maternal but definitely not matronly. A tough-love healer of sorts. Octavia’s aunt, Paula’s sister.

NELSON: Man. 30s. Observant, earnest, unfulfilled seeker.

Development History

  • Workshop, Hyde Park Theatre, 2022

Awards

  • Ecodrama New Play Contest
    Emory University
    Finalist
    2021