A reimagining of “The Outsiders” opens this October in San Marcos, running for two weekends (Oct. 17-19 and 24-26) at the Maurice T. Suttles VFW Post 3413. This bold new production interrogates and reclaims S.E. Hinton’s iconic tale of masculinity, class struggle, and social expectations through the lens of the queer experience.
Throughout the rehearsal process, the ensemble has examined masculinity— both historical and contemporary— as well as themes of othering, resilience and chosen family. Conversations also explored how storytelling, a practice often rooted in feminine and matriarchal traditions, intersects (and almost collides) with the lived experiences of the production’s queer performers and designers. In doing so, “The Outsiders” becomes not a retelling, but a radical reframing.
“Being able to explore my masculinity, not only in the context of a queer performer, but also as a woman in a Mexican household is very liberating,” actor Cora LaCoss said. “Masculinity isn’t only being big and strong but also tender.”
Designers and crew are not exempt from this experiment and the technical team has also embraced the production’s radical ethos. Media Specialist Adrian Garcia Velásquez is working hard to bring fresh technical elements to this classic tale.
“For a literary classic as timeless as this, it deserves to have such a talented and creative team behind it, especially when you focus on reimagining it. For me, I’ve gained one of the most impactful and creative ways I’ve been able to apply my techniques and experiences,” Velásquez said.
When asked what the intended outcome of this reimagining was, Director Katie Henderson said it was, “To put on a great production of ‘The Outsiders.’” Audiences can expect a raw, intimate, and emotionally resonant performance that both honors and disrupts the source material. This gritty, heartfelt reimagining of a classic American story will open on October 17 at the Maurice T. Suttles VFW Post 3413 in San Marcos and will run through October 26. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at brokethespianstheatre-com-pany. org/shows/tickets or at the door. Broke Thespian’s Theatre Company is a nonprofit organization founded in 2019 dedicated to enriching the SanMarcos community with performance and visual arts. They produce four shows each year, including their award-winning free summer musical in Plaza Park. They host open auditions, accepting performers and technicians of all experience levels. You can learn more and get involved on their website, Facebook, or Instagram.
