Guide to the Teatro Cometa Oral History Project Collection
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Teatro Cometa Oral History Project Collection
Creator:
California State University, Northridge. University Library
Identifier/Call Number: URB.TCOH
Extent:
0.21 linear feet
Extent:
568 Megabytes
Date (inclusive): 2007-2008
Abstract: This collection of oral histories tells
the story of a grassroots Chicano theater group,
Teatro Cometa,
which was active during 1970s and early 1980s in and around Fullerton, California. During
their approximately dozen year span, Teatro Cometa embodied elements of the
rasquache ethic as well as formal theatrical productions with
varying levels of municipal and private support. This collection of oral histories gives
voice to an otherwise marginalized community, shedding light on how some Chicano/Latino
communities responded creatively and critically to drug use, ethnic discrimination and gang
violence. Other themes that emerge are: the role of public education in the arts, the role
of private funding for the arts (both local and regional), the impact of the Chicano
movement in Orange County and the relationship between theater and civic
engagement.
Language of Material: English
Historical Note:
The library created this collection of materials for study and research.
Scope and Contents
The
Teatro Cometa Oral History Project Collection tells the
story of a grassroots Chicano theater group, which was active during 1970s and early 1980s
in and around Fullerton, California. The Teatro Cometa project was inspired by a talk given
by the father of Chicano theater, Luis Valdez, at California State University, Northridge
during the fall of 2006 and by the then emerging efforts of writer Gustavo Arellano to
document the history Chicano/Latino communities in Orange County, California.
The collection is divided into two series,
Audio Recordings
(2006-2007) and
Transcripts. All recordings in the collection are
available as digital files.
Arrangement of Materials:
Series I: Audio Recordings, 2006-2007
Series II: Transcripts
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style
manual, or see the
Citing Archival
Materials
guide.
Processing Information:
Jessica Geiser, 2014
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents
Audiovisual materials
Series I: Audio Recordings, 2006-2007
2006-2007
Digital Folder
Arce, Fernando,
2007 December 16
Digital Folder
Delgado, José,
2007 July 19
Digital Folder
Flores, César,
2007 July 15
Digital Folder
Garcia, Manuel,
2007 August 2
Digital Folder
Huerta, Jorge,
2007 July 11
Digital Folder
Melendez, Carmen,
2008 January 27
Digital Folder
Purkiss, Bill,
2007 July 23
Digital Folder
Ramírez, Adam,
2007 September 23
Digital Folder
Ramírez, Martha,
2007 September 23
Digital Folder
Rodriguez, Diane,
2007 July 19
Digital Folder
Serna, Elias,
2007 July 29
