On Valentine’s Day, 2018, a gunman walked into the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and killed 17 people. Among the dead was Joaquin “Guac” Oliver. Joaquin’s father - and now activist - Manuel Oliver transforms his grief into a joyous celebration of life and advocacy. From pepperoni bacon pizza to air guitar solos, Oliver paints a vivid portrait of a vibrant life cut short. “GUAC” doesn’t just tell one family’s story - it speaks to anyone who has loved, lost or dreamed of making a difference.
Film
Working with Change The Ref (CTR), was formed to empower our Future Leaders. CTR gives the kids of today the tools they need to be empowered to make changes to critical issues that affect our nation, through education, conversation, and activism. It uses urban art and nonviolent creative confrontation to expose the disastrous effects of the mass shooting pandemic. It also brings focus to the NRA’s corrupt maneuvers to buy lawmakers, while forcing solutions which are essential to healing mass shooting victims’ families’ lifelong grief. Change The Ref’s ultimate goal is to give the young generation of survivors and victims a disrupting voice to help lead the way to change – a more peaceful future. #NeverAgain.
Over the course of 95 minutes, Manuel Oliver, the father of Joaquin “Guac” Oliver, recounts a life of joy, love and ultimate tragedy. Using art as storytelling, Manuel tells the story of coming to America to find a better life for his family, becoming an American citizen and what it felt like to have his family ripped to shreds on Valentine’s Day, 2018.
Alternately funny, heartwarming and gut wrenching, “GUAC” goes from the streets of Parkland, Florida to the Oval Office in Washington, DC to the basketball courts and the “family reunion rooms” of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to the hearts of every person who is affected by gun violence.
Shot in front of a live audience at the world-famous Public Theatre in New York City, “GUAC” brings out the inner activist in all of us.
Written and performed by Manuel Oliver
Credits
Manuel Oliver
James Clements
Michael Cotey
Mike Bickerton
Rich Levy
Manuel Oliver
Patricia Oliver
Leerom Segal
Rich Levy
Laura Denham
Bernardo Romero
Michael Cotey
Anna Lopez
Writer & Performer
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