9 p.m. Student Union Building, Special Events Center. Emilio Rodriguez’s play El Payaso (The Clown) celebrates the life of Ben Linder, an American social activist, engineer and clown who arrived in Nicaragua during the Contra war (1979-1990). During the war, Linder was instrumental in bringing electricity to villages in rural areas of this country. In addition to this effort, he was involved in establishing vaccine programs and health initiatives. On April 28, 1987, the Contras murdered Linder because he had been successful in building a hydro plant in the rural village of El Cúa, and had been planning to construct another facility.
The play takes place thirty years after Linder’s death. Elías, a Latino student, discovers that Linder’s work is being continued while traveling through Nicaragua.
This event is free and open to the public.
Milagro Theatre’s performance is made possible by Casita Nepantla, the College of Engineering, the theater department, world languages department, history department and the Center for Educational Multicultural Opportunities.