Celebrating the CHamoru language, people and culture, ahead of Mes CHamoru, the CHamoru Play Festival takes the stage at the University of Guam Fine Arts Theatre in Mangilao.

Presented by UOG Theatre and Breaking Wave Theatre Company, it’s a series of six powerful plays by CHamoru playwrights Peter Onedera, Andrew Roberto and Dakota Camacho and directed by Troy Mcvey.

Stage manager Jauria Camacho gives KUAM a sneak peek into what audiences can expect.

“It deals a lot with the CHamoru culture and the upbringing we were all raised with. A lot of our cast is CHamoru as well. All of the shows we are doing are written by CHamoru playwrights so a lot of CHamoru pride going on,” she said.

Working behind the scenes gave her a first-hand look as the cast brought the CHamoru experience to life.

“A lot of it is sad, but one of the works we are doing tonight is about a CHamoru man that found himself alone in a nursing home in Ohio.” Camacho describes the play Astaki i Ittemo, or Until the End, written by Peter Onedera.

“So there’s no one here who’s CHamoru and he’s sharing his culture and language and his life with all these new people that he’s meeting,” she said.

One cast member who reconnected with his cultural identity is actor and assistant director Ean Taijeron.

“Personally for me, because I am CHamoru, I never really fully explored what that meant for myself. I eat CHamoru food, I know parts of the language, I understand it. But I never really explored personally what that actually meant,” he said.

Taijeron dug deep into his roots by embodying his characters.
“So this show gave me a chance to actually look at myself and look at how I see things and how there’s a lot of similarities. And it makes sense why a lot of us don’t really know because there’s a lot of things that have happened to us. And the shows kind of sheds light on that.”
He hopes the audience will leave the shows with a renewed sense of pride in what it means to be CHamoru.

“I hope they have fun. I hope they get to hear how cool and different and unique and how much history our language has. And how much of a struggle we had on the island. But also not to focus on the struggles, but to focus on the fact that we can celebrate the language today,” he said.

Astaki i Ittemo, or Until the End, written by Peter R. Onedera shows on February 23 and March 4.

Creating the Native written by Andrew Roberto, Hinenggen Antigu Siha or Ancient Beliefs written by Peter R. Onedera, and Thick Skin by Andrew Roberto shows on Feb. 24 and March 3.

Self-directed performances MALI’E’ and Tano Uchan by Dakota Camacho and Adahi i Chalan written by Andrew Roberto shows on Feb. 25 and March 2.

General admission is $10 cash only at the door and free for UOG students. You can also make a reservation by calling 671 735 2700.