 Paulina D. Marin Contreras in 'Fade.' Photo courtesy of Univeristy Theatre. Can you believe we’re back with another blog post already? Yeah, we’re shocked too. But when our friends over at Fresno State weren’t getting any local media love, we figured it was time for The Fools to do what we do best: show up and hype some good, local theatre. Let’s get into it. University Theatre at Fresno State is opening the latest production in their Mainstage Season: Fade by Tanya Saracho, directed by one of our favorite Fools (and board member!) Gina Sandí-Díaz. This production marks the Fresno premiere of Fade. While the local company UR Here Theater previously presented a staged reading, this is the first time the play has received a fully staged production in Fresno’s theatre scene. When Lucia, a Mexican-born novelist, gets her first TV writing job, she feels a bit out of place on the white male-dominated set. Lucia quickly becomes friends with the only other Latino around, a janitor named Abel. As Abel shares his stories with Lucia, similar plots begin to find their way into the TV scripts that Lucia writes. Fade is a play about class and race within the Latinx community, as well as at large, and how status does not change who you are at your core. The Fools sat down with director Gina Sandí-Díaz to talk about the play, why it matters, and what audiences can expect from this funny and razor-sharp script.  Paulina D. Marin Contreras and Henry Mercado in 'Fade." Photo Courtesy of University Theatre. Q: Fade explores the relationship between Lucia and Abel, two people who share cultural roots but come from very different class backgrounds. What do you find most compelling about that dynamic? A: I think it's funny how we think other people understand us all the time when, in reality, no one can really see the world exactly the way we do. This became very evident to me in directing Fade, as the characters think they can be friends, but their interactions are always tense and marked by class differences. We don't think about those things when we are interacting with people at work, neighbors, or in other social situations; we just assume people understand what we're saying and, for the most part, agree with us, when that's not the case at all. Q: The play examines class divisions within the Latine community itself, not just between communities. Why do you think that conversation is important right now? A: This is important because we are living under policies designed to eradicate and punish DEIBA (diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility). I think it's more important than ever for us to develop an awareness of how the categorizations of race and class impact our daily lives. Q: You directed a staged reading of Fade in Fresno four years ago with UR Here Theatre. What made you want to return to this play now for a full production? A: I just love this play so much. I think it's a good challenge for young actors. It's also a play that is really about the relationship, so, in terms of actors in training, I feel like it's a great exercise in creating a character and staying true to the moment, connected to your scene partner for a long time. I also think it's just a great exercise in critical thinking. I love that we get to witness a relationship evolve, and in the process, we also get to see this sort of intellectual conversation that we have in Academia about terminology like Latinx or Hispanic, and whether we identify with it or not. I'm excited for students in Chicano studies, political science, and other social science fields to come and, through their critical lenses, unpack what's going on in this relationship. I think that's a really cool exercise, I'm excited to see it happen throughout this run at the University Theatre. Q: How has your perspective on the play changed since that earlier reading? A: It's interesting because the first time I read this play was right after it came out. We were just getting started with Trump's first administration. A lot has happened since then, making 2017 feel so far away from where we are today. So, I think it's an interesting moment to revisit the play today, with everything that has unfolded since, and to recognize that these issues are still impacting people, maybe even more so.  Cristian Gonzalez plays the role of Abel on March 17, 18, & 20. Photo Courtesy of University Theatre. Q: What does it mean to produce a play like Fade at Fresno State and in the Central Valley? A: It means a lot! I think in real life, many of us are like Lucia; we are navigating our careers and trying to belong to spaces that have traditionally not been welcoming to us. And many of our parents are like Abel, people sacrificing a lot for their children's futures. So, I feel like a lot of our students, and the community in general, will identify with both Lucia and Abel and see themselves reflected in their life stories and in the choices they make to survive a system that is already failing them both. Q: How do you hope Latine audiences in particular respond to the play? A: In the play, Lucia says she took this job because Latinos are poorly represented on TV and she wanted to help portray our culture in a better light. I fully agree. There is power in representation, and Latinos are the fastest-growing group in America, yet the least represented in the media. Why is that? Why are we prevented from reaching mass audiences? Fade addresses these issues head-on, fleshing out two mature and complex Latine characters for us to enjoy, see ourselves in, and empower ourselves. I hope the audience leaves feeling empowered by the stories and share it with friends so they can come see it too. Q: What conversations do you hope audiences are having as they leave the theatre? A: There are so many conversations to be had about the world that we live in and the choices that we are faced with making in order to succeed or to simply exist in a vicious, capitalist system. Whether you identify with Abel or with Lucia through this journey, I hope the play sparks empathy and compassion for our diverse lived experiences and our shared humanity. Q: Anything else you'd like to add? A: Yes, the play includes a lot of Spanglish, which I think native speakers will appreciate. Also, I want to give a shout-out to my amazing cast featuring Paulina Marin Contreras, Henry Mercado, and Cristian Gonzalez; our wonderful acting coach, Leslie Martin; our lovely understudies, stage manager, assistant stage manager, designers (many of them students), and crew. Thank you for making magic with me! Fade
written by Tanya Saracho | directed by Gina Sandí-Díaz University Theatre | Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre March 13 - 14 & 17 - 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM March 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Tickets: $20 - General Admission, $18 - Faculty, Staff, Alum, Seniors, Military, $10 - All Students, $5 - Fresno State Students Please Note: Cristian Gonzalez will play the role of Abel on march 17, 18, 20, 2026.
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