Ed Begley Jr. Co-Directs César & Ruben
Austin Premiere at St. Edward’s
In September, the Mary Moody Northen Theatre at St. Edward’s University presented the Austin premiere of César & Ruben, a play that honors the lives of workers’ rights advocate César Chávez and LA Times writer Ruben Salazar. Filled with the music of Ruben Blades, Enrique Iglesias, Carlos Santana and other well-known artists, César & Ruben is a celebration of love, family, friendship and passionate activism. The play was written by award-winning actor and activist Ed Begley Jr. as a tribute to his friend Chávez.
Holy Cross Brother Influences Playwright
Begley was a student of Assistant Professor of Music Brother  Gerald Muller, CSC, when he taught previously at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Their longtime friendship led Begley to bring his production to St. Edward’s University. On Sept. 26, Begley hosted a special benefit performance for nearly 200 alumni, parents, donors and friends of the university — with proceeds from the performance benefiting the Theater Arts program and the College Assistance Migrant Program.
Incoming Freshmen Learn about “The Fight in the Fields”
In conjunction with the production of César & Ruben, incoming university freshmen read The Fight in the Fields: César Chávez and the Farmworkers Movement as part of their Freshman Studies seminar. Through the combination of lecture and a writing course, the Freshman Studies seminar introduces students to intellectual or academic life at St. Edward’s and provides a foundation for success in later courses.
 Freshmen and other members of the university community also had the opportunity to hear civil rights and social justice leader Dolores Huerta speak on Sept. 20. Huerta, who co-founded United Farm Workers with Chávez, shared stories of her friendship with him and their fight for farm workers’ rights. She also encouraged students to become active in promoting civil rights and equality for all Americans.
Learn more about Freshman Studies and the university’s general education curriculum, which has been recognized by the Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Get Mary Moody Northen Theatre’s spring schedule. Join the MMNT Society.
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