El Teatro Campesino in Berkeley

“Schenley” Doug Rippey, “Campesino” Roy Valdez, “Schenley Contract” Luis Valdez, “Perelli Minetti Deal” Daniel Valdez, and “Campesino” Joe Otero perform a scene from the The Perelli Minetti Deal. Berkeley, California, January, 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

In January 1967, Teatro Campesino performed various actos in Berkeley to bring the farmworker movement stories to college campus audiences, illustrating their struggle and helping collect needed funds to the union. The Two Faces of the Little Boss showed the universal power of greed. The Fifth Season presented the farmworkers’ season of redemption against the contractors and growers’ exploitation through strikes and other organized actions. The Perelli Minetti Deal portrays the conflict with Perelli Minetti, a Delano grower who refused to recognize the union and enter into a sweetheart deal with the Teamsters, prompting the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) to launch a boycott in the fall of 1966. “To many of you these actos may seem to be satire, “Luis Valdez told people in Berkeley, as reported by El Malcriado, “but, in the eyes of the farm workers these are the realities.”

El Teatro Campesino members Daniel Valdez and Luis Valdez from performing, Berkeley, 1967

“Farm Worker” Daniel Valdez points the boycott sword at “Perelli-Marrano,” interpreted by Luis Valdez wearing a pig nose, in the act The Perelli Minetti Deal depicting the farmworkers struggle against one of the Delano growers, Fred Perelli-Minetti. Berkeley, California, January 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

El Teatro Campesino members Daniel Valdez and Kerry Ohta performing, Berkeley, 1967

“Farm Worker” Daniel Valdez and “Mrs. American Consumer” Kerry Ohta play a scene from the act The Perelli Minetti Deal depicting the farmworkers struggle against one of the Delano growers, Fred Perelli-Minetti. Berkeley, California, January 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

El Teatro Campesino members Daniel Valdez, Luis Valdez, and Roy Valdez performing, Berkeley, 1967

“Farm Worker” Daniel Valdez brandishes the boycott sword at “Perelli-Marrano” Luis Valdez, wearing a pig nose. “Campesino” Roy Valdez assists at placing Marrano into a trash bin labeled “Perelli Menudo.” Berkeley, California, January, 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

Ann Draper watching El Teatro Campesino perform, Berkeley, 1967

Labor leader Anne Draper, wearing a hat and eyeglasses, is among the audience enjoying a performance by El Teatro Campesino. Berkeley, California, January 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

El Teatro Campesino member Luis Valdez performing, Berkeley, 1967

Luis Valdez is performing wearing a pig mask and playing the role of the boss, as the “Patroncito” sign around his neck indicates, in an act called The Two Faces of the Little Boss. Berkeley, California, January 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

Audience watching El Teatro Campesino perform, Berkeley, 1967

The audience is enjoying a performance by El Teatro Campesino. Berkeley, California, January, 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

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