by A brand-new Kumeyaay production by award-winning sister-duo Zulema Reynoso (creative director) and Mabelle (playwright) about repairing the Tijuana River Estuary is coming to San Diego’s Spark Studios.
The Eyaay Ahuun Foundation (EAF) is the presenter of the play Shuuluk Wechuwvi: Where Lightning Was Born: Guided by Nature – Built by Knowledge & Tradition for Future Generations, which is funded by Casa Familiar and the Prebys Foundation.
The narrative centers on Lucky, a dejected teenage gamer who sets off on a quest for self-discovery under the mentorship of his Native veteran uncle and friends Water and Daisy.
He pledges to preserve the land and the history of his people while reestablishing his connection to his Kumeyaay ancestry and embracing his true name, Shuuluk (Lightning).
According to Zulema Reynoso, this is a story that spans generations and is about language, territory, connection, and an invitation to recognize your own power.
This is not the first environmental-inspired drama by the Reynoso sisters.
Somos Aire, a play by Mabelle and comic-book-style illustrations by Zulema, is based on the actual problems with San Ysidro’s air quality.
The borderlands steampunk story, which was presented at El Salon Theatre in June 2024, centers on a young woman who returns to her homeland in an attempt to find a cure for her sister and the community.
The play tells a tale of optimism and homecoming while examining San Ysidro’s past with regard to environmental justice and air quality.
The Prebys Foundation later asked Johnny Bear Contreras, who designed the set for the 2024 production, to develop on a play that would address the environmental issues facing the Tijuana Estuary.
An organization devoted to conserving the legacy of the Kumeyaay and Indigenous peoples, the Eyaay Ahuun Foundation was recently established by Kumeyaay elder Contreras and executive director Pilialoha Estall.
The sisters and EAF started working on a new play about the environmental difficulties of the estuary, which is told via the Kumeyaay’s strong bond with the earth. They invited the Reynoso sisters to work on the screenplay and accompanying comic once more.
“We want to be a part of that solution as we see these incredible decision makers who can make things happen,” Estall stated. We wish to assist those initiatives from a community perspective.
The team worked with UC San Diego researchers during production to make sure the environmental problems in the Tijuana Estuary were accurately portrayed.
Since education is at the core of the project and it was essential to center the Kumeyaay perspective, Johnny Bear also stressed the importance of adding elements of the Kumeyaay creation narrative.
To help the educational message spread beyond the stage and reach a larger audience, this new production, like their previous play, will be accompanied by a comic book.
“There is a real sense of urgency to capture some of those stories for the purpose of passing them on because young people don’t have enough opportunities to really listen to the stories,” Zulema Reynoso stated.
Native American tales are not artifacts. They are incredibly relevant, alive, and changing.
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According to Estall, the play and book ultimately function as a love letter to the land and its inhabitants, igniting a movement for environmental preservation.
Organizers have shifted the production to Spark Studios in order to accommodate the expanding audience, as demand has already surpassed the previous venue’s capacity.
On Saturday, the play will make its public debut. Space is restricted, but the activities at 1 and 5 p.m. are free. Reservations can be made here and are necessary.
Zulema Reyoso expressed her hope that viewers will leave with a sense of connection, whether it be to the country, their personal narratives, or just the knowledge that they may influence the future.
She emphasized this point by sharing a favorite quote from the play that she believes would particularly motivate young people:
Tidal waves can be produced by ripples. Recognize your power.
