Victor I. Cazares, a playwright known for their poignant works, recently made headlines for an unconventional protest. Instead of simply taking their daily HIV medication, Dovato, they turned it into a symbolic event. Filming an Instagram video, Cazares staged a "funeral" for the medication, burning one pill on a miniature pyre and burying another with a flower in their parents' backyard. This series of videos culminated in a theatrical twist, with the remaining pills being "kidnapped" by Pilgrim Barbie and turned to dust.
This protest, which began almost three months ago, is tied to a demand for action from the New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW). Cazares pledged to stop taking their medication until the NYTW calls for a cease-fire in Gaza. Their decision to halt medication came while preparing to visit their critically ill grandmother in El Paso. They had nearly forgotten the pills, which had become a lifeline since their HIV diagnosis over a decade ago. The recent events in Gaza prompted Cazares to connect their protest to the history of HIV activism and the NYTW.
Cazares's connection to NYTW runs deep, having served as the Tow playwright in residence in January 2020. They found a sense of belonging and purpose at NYTW, aligning with its creative and political values. Their plays, which often explore themes of mortality and desperation, have been staged at the Workshop, known for its commitment to challenging productions that foster intimate connections between audience and art.
Despite NYTW's history of political engagement, including support for the Black Lives Matter movement and efforts to become an anti-racist organization, its silence on the Gaza conflict has drawn criticism. Cazares's protest, rooted in their border upbringing and influenced by transformative theater experiences, reflects a deep-seated belief in the power of art to enact change. They see their strike as a physical manifestation of the theater's inaction, hoping it will serve as a catalyst for NYTW to take a stand.
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