This show is free for ALTA Conference Participants. Conference attendees can reserve a ticket by calling our box-office at (520) 448-3300, emailing boxoffice@scoundrelandscamp.org, or via the website by using your conference discount code.

This show is free for The Scoundrel Society. Scoundrels can reserve a ticket by calling our box-office at (520) 448-3300 or emailing boxoffice@scoundrelandscamp.org.

Russian Roulette

(The Likelihood of a Casino Burning Down
With Our Mother Inside It)

Staged Reading & Discussion
November 11, 2023 @ 7:30 PM

by Luis Guerrero
translated by Katherine Walker

In 2011, Saúl comes home to his mother and siblings in Monterrey, Mexico. He finds himself clashing with his mother, Irene, over her daily visits to the casino, which neither his brother nor sister discourage. Saúl is additionally appalled at the daily violence enacted by the cartels, and what he sees as the community’s resigned acceptance thereof. When Irene leaves for the casino on the fateful morning of August 25, timelines diverge and realities fracture. This gripping drama examines fate, chance, and luck against the backdrop of the question that plagues the characters to no end: what if…?

The Mexican play Russian Roulette dramatizes the story of the events of August 25, 2011, the day that members of a drug cartel set a casino on fire in Monterrey, Nuevo León, killing over 50 people. After the massacre, there were calls to address the cartel violence, as well as the corruption in politics and the gambling industry. The problems, however, have posed an ongoing challenge to activists.


Since our inception, The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre has been thrilled to present new works of translation and adaptation with such beloved works as The Little Prince, Blood Wedding, and The Crack: Among Wild Animals.

This season we are excited to present to our audiences the winner of our fourth annual plays-in-translation contest hosted in collaboration with the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA).  This year’s competition winner, Russian Roulette, has been selected from a diverse field of global plays translated into English that ranged from dark comedies to quiet character studies, on a breadth of themes including socio-political corruption, family dynamics, and medical decision-making.


For Scoundrels ages 14+

Directed by Raulie Martinez

Showtime:
November 11, 2023 at 7:30 PM

Runtime:
Approximately 90 minutes.

Audience: 
Best enjoyed by Scoundrels ages 14+  

Regular Ticket Prices
Adults: $18 pre-purchase / $20 at the door
Seniors: $18 pre-purchase / $20 at the door

This show is free for The Scoundrel Society. Scoundrels can reserve a ticket by calling our box-office at (520) 448-3300 or emailing boxoffice@scoundrelandscamp.org.

This show is free for ALTA Conference Participants. Conference attendees can reserve a ticket by calling our box-office at (520) 448-3300, emailing boxoffice@scoundrelandscamp.org, or via the website by using your conference discount code.

Questions? Call our Box Office at 520-448-3300. 

Previous Winners

2022 Winner: CHINS UP! SHOULDERS BACK!
by Ainur Karim
translated by Ellen Vayner and Slava Faybysh

2021 Winner: BEFORE THE GERMAN’S HERE
by Marta Barceló
translated by H.J. Gardner

2020 Winner: THE CRACK: AMONG WILD ANIMALS
by Gracia Morales and Juan Alberto Salvatierra
translated by L. Finch

 

Russian Roulette Artistic Team

Direction

Director
Raulie Martinez


CAST

Irene
Rosanne Couston

Saúl
Ollin Acosta

Melissa
Nicole ‘Nika’ Aguilar

Pato
Trystan Garcia

Yolanda / Stage Directions
Maria Caprile

Manager/Stage Directions
Carlos Pino

CREW

Assistant Direction / Board Operation
Kim Estrada

Producers
Bryan Rafael Falcón and Raulie Martinez

Production Manager
Annika Maher



Artist Bios

Rosanne Couston (Irene) is a native Tucsonan who has worked extensively with Borderlands Theater, including bilingual productions of El Ausente/The Absent One (Abuela), Sazon de Mujer/A Taste for Living (Maria Müller), and The House of Spirits/La Casa de los Espíritus (Old Clara/Clara Vieja). Her other credits include Rogue Theater (Passage, The Oresteia and The Decameron), Something Something Theatre (The Hall of Final Ruin), Winding Road Theatre (Buried Child), and Invisible Theater (¡Curanderas! Serpents of the Clouds). Audio and video credits include “Olé Tucson” Moments in History CD for the University of Arizona History Department, A Christmas Carol radio broadcast (2nd Narrator and Mrs. Dilber) and The Art of Metalcasting video (female lead). She obtained both her BFA in in theater and her MA in library science at the University of Arizona. By day, she is an academic librarian.

 

Ollin Acosta (Saúl) is a freshman at the University of Arizona, and is excited to be playing Saul in Russian Roulette. He has been acting ever since middle school and his first performance was in “The Election”. From this point on Ollin has wanted to pursue acting as his career. Outside of stage acting Ollin enjoys creating and remaking films both in front and behind the camera. He also enjoys spending time with family and friends. He hopes you enjoy the show.

 

Nicole Aguilar (Melissa) is a talented and passionate individual who is about to embark on her first theatrical journey in the captivating play, "Russian Roulette." Despite her limited experience in the world of theater, Nicole’s dedication and enthusiasm have led her to discover her true calling at the renowned Scoundrel and Scamp Theater. Beyond the stage, her diverse interests and pursuits have shaped her unique approach to acting. As a musician, she understands the power of rhythm and melody, infusing her performances with a captivating sense of harmony. Her studies in neuroscience and linguistics have provided her with a deep understanding of human behavior and communication, allowing her to unravel the intricate puzzle pieces of each character she portrays. With her unwavering commitment to honing her craft, she eagerly anticipates the opportunity to take on more roles at the Scoundrel and Scamp Theater. She embraces the challenges and growth that come with each new character, relishing the chance to explore the depths of human emotion and bring stories to life on stage.

 

Trystan Garcia (Pato) is a stage and screen actor/writer based in Tucson, Arizona. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arizona in 2021 with a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in Film and Television. His past roles around Tucson include Helper in Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins (Invisible Theatre), Jack in Fremont Junior High is NOT Doing Oklahoma! (Live Theatre Workshop), Bart in Inspecting Carol (Roadrunner Theatre Company), and Jeremy in a staged reading of Christmas Break by Monica Bauer. Aside from theatre, Trystan has also acted in numerous short films and even served as an executive producer for Skylark, 1972, which premiered at UofA Magic Hour 2021. He is also the recipient of the Scoundrel and Scamp's 2022 Emerging Artist Award for achievements in playwriting.

 

Maria Caprile (Yolanda) has appeared in Winding Road Theater Ensemble's productions of GOOD PEOPLE, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and UNITED, as well as Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre's reading of CHINS UP! SHOULDERS BACK! Her first Tucson area performance was in Live Theatre Workshop's FALLEN ANGELS. Maria is a part-time resident of Spokane, Washington, where she was a resident artist at Interplayers Theatre. She has been seen in their productions THE PRICE (Esther) and ON GOLDEN POND (Ethel). She has appeared in many Spokane Civic Theatre productions, including THE MUSIC MAN (Mrs. Shinn), THE LARAMIE PROJECT (multiple roles), LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS (Elaine) and GYPSY (Tessie Tura) where she played opposite Oscar and Emmy award winning actress Patty Duke. Film credits include 'Tiki" and 'Lonely Hearts.' Maria was the co-artistic director of Winding Road Theater Ensemble where she directed STUPID F##KING BIRD and CHOSEN CHILD.

 

Carlos Pino (Manager/Stage Directions) is an exceptional actor whose talent has been recognized. With seven years of experience in theater and film, he has honed his skills and is incredibly versatile, taking on a broad spectrum of functions in front of and behind the stage. His unwavering commitment to excellence and artistic integrity is commendable, and it's evident that he leaves no stone unturned in delivering his best work. Carlos' Bachelor of Arts degree has undoubtedly played a crucial role in further shaping his talent as he grows daily as an artist, performer, student, son, and human being.