“The Fire in Me” is a theatrical exploration of domestic violence in San Diego’s Filipino community. In partnership with Asian Story Theater and Access Inc., playwright Thelma Virata de Castro interviewed diverse community members and wrote the play “The Fire in Me” based on these interviews. The interviewees include survivors, immigrants, family members, community leaders and experts working in the field. Performed by professional actors, the play and following panel invite discussion about the topic of domestic violence in the context of culture, immigration status and gender roles.

Synopsis: Lark, a Filipino American college student, lands an internship at a legal clinic for immigrant survivors of domestic violence. When her work triggers recognition of trauma in her own past, she retreats into the world of the Filipino soap opera The Fire in Me. Her family, friends, and the helpers around her fight to get her back.

The performances were free and open to the public. Due to mature content, recommended for ages 18 and up.

Social Media

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thefireinme2019/

Twitter https://twitter.com/thefireinme2019

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thefireinme2019/

Resources

For our Educational Packet, click here.

For our Suggested Books, click here.

Press/Interviews

For our Press Release, click here.

Public Events

Talkin’ Theatre with Todd: Asian American Theatre on the Rise–January 24, 7:00 – 7:45 pm, San Diego Repertory Theatre
Free playwriting workshop February 2, 3:00 – 4:30 pm, Skyline Hills Library
Free playwriting workshop, February 9, 10:00 – 11:30 am, Scripps Miramar Ranch Library
Centering the Margins: Conversations with Writers of Color, “GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN” panel, March 2, 9:25 – 11:15 am, Cross Cultural Center at UC San Diego

Special Thanks

Principal John Amann

Lt. Al Ambito, Officer Nabizadeh, Officer Estepa, Officer Sainsanoy, PSO Borish Wong, and the San Diego Police Department Multi-Cultural Community Relations Office

Patrick Ambrosio

Andrew Amorao

Anonymous Interviewees

Detective Sergeant Rick Castro and the San Diego Police Department Domestic Violence Unit

California Humanities

Councilmember Chris Cate

Lucas Cruz, Field Representative for Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez

Audie de Castro and de Castro PC

Mayumi V. de Castro

Joy Ella DeGuzman, Anne Bautista, Michelle Ella-Blacke and Silayan Filipina

Bonnie Durben

Azalea Ebbay, Marc Cherry, Jennifer Cervantes and the staff of Central Library

Kristen Faith and Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence

Food 4 Less

Sarah Greenman and StateraArts

Jill Hall, The San Diego Foundation Creative Catalyst Program Chair

Jadielis and the SDSU Women’s Resource Center

Trevor Jones and the staff of Scripps Miramar Ranch Library

Carol Cabrera King

Cecelia Kouma and Playwrights Project

Julia Legaspi

Yvette Lopez-Cooper and the San Diego Family Justice Center

Professor Kirin Amiling Macapugay and Asian Pacific Islander Community Actions (APICA)

Mesa College Dramatic Arts Department

The Nathanson Family

New Village Arts

Wesley Palau and SDSU The Pride Center

Dr. Judy Patacsil

Glenn Risolo, Dominic Marostica, and the staff of Skyline Hills Library

Professor Soroya Rowley and USD volunteers

SDSU Theatre Department

The San Diego Foundation

Summer Stephan, Jerrilyn Malana and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

Teri Tavares

Wehtahnah Tucker

Dom Waltower

Professor George Ye, Mesa College Theatre Department

Professor Ruff Yeager and the Southwestern College Theatre Department