By Greg Hardesty, contributing writer
When he started at CSUF in 2021, Josh Grisetti, an associate professor of musical theater, wanted to make sure the university was taking concrete action to honor its designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Coming from the world of professional theater, Grisetti was acutely aware of the unfortunate lack of diversity in stage productions – and the need to incubate at CSUF works that represent the Latiné experience, as well as those of other underrepresented communities.
Fast forward to early November 2023, when for three days, a musical Grisetti produced, “The Boys and the Nuns,” enjoyed a successful run in the Arena Theatre at the Clayes Performing Arts Center.
Unlikely alliance
The musical, inspired by real events, recounts the unlikely alliance between a group of Catholic nuns and gay activists in 1980s Chicago who band together to get an ordinance protecting the rights of gay people passed (the ordinance eventually was passed).
The main character in the story, the brainchild of Sandra Delgado, a Colombian American writer, actor, singer and producer, is Pablo, a musician searching for his place in the world. Featuring music of the ’80s, “The Boys and the Nuns” examines identity, belonging, and faith.
“Beyond being something that serves the needs of the school and diversity issues and all of those important things,” says Grisetti, who wrote a grant proposal that made the production possible, “it’s also just a really cool piece with a great story, really fun characters and catchy music.”
New digital toys
“The Boys and the Nuns” was made possible by a $113,000 HSI Community Grant sponsored by Cal State Northridge and Apple, Inc.
Included in the package was nearly $30,000 in new technology that CSUF students and faculty will be enjoying for years to develop and stage new musical theatre works.
The theater department received six desktop computers with all the latest bells and whistles…
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