Organizacion Latino Americana of Eastern Long Island and Guild Hall have joined forces to present the premiere of “Cruce de Caminos (Crossroads),” an original theater production developed and performed by members of Long Island’s Latino community, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7.
The production, which is rooted in the experiences of Latino families across eastern Long Island, is co-directed by Minerva Perez, OLA’s executive director, and Margarita Espada, the founder and artistic director of Teatro Yerbabruja, a bilingual theater company. The two also co-directed last year’s sold-out “Fuenteovejuna: East End,” a reimagining of Lope de Vega’s 17th-century play.
Espada and Perez are Guild Hall’s 2026 Community Artists in Residence, a program that supports the creative economy, imagination, and civic life on the East End by commissioning artists of the region to develop socially engaged or participatory work. Artists are provided with creative mentorships, administrative support, commissioning fees, and a shared studio/workspace on the Guild Hall campus.
The production features a cast of 19, including community actors with roots in Peru, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. It was developed using techniques inspired in part by Augusto Boal, a Brazilian dramatist, and the tradition of “devised theater.”
Boal is known for creating the Theatre of the Oppressed, a form of interactive theater intended to serve as a means for transforming society. Devised theater is a collaborative method of creation in which an ensemble creates a performance without a pre-existing script.
“Cruce de Caminos” emerged through months of storytelling, movement, improvisation, music, and collaborative creation. The result, says OLA, is a work that weaves together themes of “family, immigration, identity, faith, and love into a compelling theatrical journey.”
“At a time when many immigrant families are facing uncertainty and challenges, creating space for our community to gather, reflect, laugh, and tell our own stories is more important than ever,” said Perez. “This production demonstrates the power of art to bring people together across differences and remind us of our collective strength.”
Part spoken-word performance, part movement theater, part musical experience, “ ‘Cruce de Caminos’ emerged from the stories, memories, humor, and courage of the people who created it,” said Espada. “Our cast members are not simply performing characters -- they have helped shape them. Through movement, improvisation, music, and conversation, we built a piece that honors the complexity of our communities while celebrating our shared humanity.”
The 90-minute program will be performed primarily in Spanish (approximately 80 percent), with English-language elements throughout and an English libretto available.
Teatro Yerbabruja is known for creating original works that center community voices, cultural identity, and social justice. Espada’s work as a director, performer, and educator has connected audiences across generations through storytelling rooted in lived experience.
For more than two decades, Perez has helped build community power across the East End while advancing justice, civic engagement, and opportunities for Latino and immigrant families.
Each performance will be preceded at 6 by a reception. Tickets are $15, $13.50 for Guild Hall Members.
Roots Music in the Garden
The next musical guest for Third Thursdays, when Guild Hall’s galleries have extended hours and there is entertainment in the garden, curated by Carlos Lama, will be Tractor Supply Co., which will perform next Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
With a focus on early blues, ragtime, country, R&B, and rock-and-roll, the band’s members are Eric Simons on guitar and lead vocals, Premo Massiv on drums, harmonica, and vocals, and Jairus Odums on bass guitar.
Tickets are $12.
