In-Depth Playwright Session with Sofiana Olivera
Fri, Sep 19
|Lawrence Arts Center
Join local playwright Sofiana Olivera in an in-depth session about the play's creation process and thematic focus on migration. Interactive discussions and Q&A included.
Time & Location
Sep 19, 2025, 7:00 PM – Sep 21, 2025, 2:00 AM
Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA
About the event
Theme:
“Rooted in Hope, Torn by Borders”
The Avocado Tree uses the symbol of a growing tree — from seedling to fruit-bearing — to reflect the migrant experience: the longing to grow, the resilience to survive, and the generational hope to thrive. Yet, like a tree caught between shifting seasons, migrants must face difficult choices: wait for a future that may never arrive through legal channels, or risk everything for a chance at freedom — only to face exploitation, separation, and trauma.
Discussion:
This play offers a poignant exploration of the emotional and moral complexities faced by migrants, especially those from Latin America. It does not romanticize either path but lays bare the truth of both:
• The legal path is often inaccessible, requiring years or even decades of waiting, paperwork, and financial strain. It can feel like trying to grow roots in concrete.