Employees enjoy play as part of UNMC’s diversity series

UNMC employee, Athena Ramos, center, portrays one of the Frida characters in the play, “Frida: Behind the Mirror.” (Andrew E. Nelson, UNMC public relations)

The life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was portrayed in song, images and dance in “Frida Behind The Mirror” last Friday in UNMC’s Eppley Science Hall Amphitheater.

Devastated by childhood illness, a horrific accident that left her bed-ridden as a young adult, and a cheating husband, Kahlo painted her pain in a series of well-known pieces. According to historians, Kahlo wanted her artwork to display the reality of her life.

Series continues Thursday Join us Thursday for the next event, “Life Stories: Ability Awareness,” a panel discussion in recognition of Disability Awareness Month. It will be held at noon in the College of Nursing, Cooper Auditorium. Free lunch will be served for the first 50 who attend.

Her life story, including powerful portrayals of her struggle against how the world defined her, was presented in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

In the play, several women depicted the various personas of Frida:

• Frida: the traditional woman;
  
• Frida: her masculine persona;
  
• Frida: the woman she dreamed of being — performed by UNMC employee, Athena Ramos.

The play was the first event in the 2009-2010 Diversity Lectures and Cultural Arts Series.