Theatre for Young Audiences

Theatre for Young Audiences will present "Senora Tortuga ," a bilingual play, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on April 17 in the Arena Theatre of the Speech Arts Building .

The play, written and directed by Roxanne Schroeder- Arce , is free. It is recommended for ages 5-12.

Pedro and his family live on the Mexican border in a barn that has been transformed into a home. Pedro complains of having nothing, and brings his mother many headaches. His mother invites a woman to dinner to teach Pedro a lesson about giving, a woman whom they later learn is of another world.

She shares stories that lead to lesson-filled dreams for Pedro. Pedro meets the enchanted Serpent and Cucui , a famous Mexican legend. Later we learn why Pedro's mother had been so concerned with Pedro's desire to dream, and of Senora Tortuga's true identity.

Each spring, Fresno State students enroll in a course to tour children's theatre productions to elementary and middle schools throughout the San Joaquin Valley . This company of student actors has been a tradition at Fresno State for more than 38 years, and we have toured to more than 40 schools and over 16,000 children in a single season.