Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquin was killed in the 2018 Parkland shooting, created a one-man show called 'Guac' to honor his memory and combat gun violence in America. Transitioning from speeches to theater allowed Oliver to reach a broader audience, fostering hope and empowerment among attendees. His performance shifts focus from loss to celebrating Joaquin's life, emphasizing the contrasting realities of seeking safety in America versus the gun violence epidemic, thus eliciting engagement and reflection on the impact of tragedy.
Theatre, he realised, could give him an hour or more and command an audience's attention. Reactions to the 90-minute piece have been entirely positive.
This is not a sad play. I have always prioritised the 17 years that Joaquin was here and not the six minutes that it took for a killer to end his life.
I’m using my sadness to prevent others going through the same situation. The show empowers people, he says. Some parents probably relate to me.
We came to this country looking for a safer and better future and then found that we were wrong.
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