In partnership with the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE), Re:Work presents “Changing Lives, Changing L.A.,” a play created from transcripts from the UNITE HERE Local 11 Oral History Project and originally performed before a live audience at Loyola Marymount University and UCLA.

Portrayed by professional actors, four members of UNITE HERE Local 11 share their stories of becoming leaders in their union, and fighting for a better life while helping transform Los Angeles.

Special thanks to Emma Worthington, Regla Soto, Soledad Garcia, and Ignacio Ruiz for sharing their stories.

“Changing Lives, Changing L.A.” was conceived by veteran organizer Vivian Rothstein and crafted by playwrights Doris Baizley and Rose Portillo. It was directed by Rose Portillo and Doris Baizley, and produced by Vivian Rothstein.

The oral histories of the women and men of UNITE HERE Local 11 were voiced by actors Joyce Guy, Marco Rodriguez, Rose Portillo, and Sarita Ocón. For access to the UNITE HERE Local 11 oral history interviews, please visit tinyurl.com/unitehereoralhistory.

To watch a video recording of the play, please visit tinyurl.com/changingliveschangingla. The video recording was edited by Robert Hillig.

Re:Work's audio version was produced by Veena Hampapur and Saba Waheed with mixing by Aaron Dalton.

Thank you to the individuals and organizations who made this presentation possible including:

UNITE HERE Local 11Tobias Higbie, Professor of History and Labor Studies, UCLAUCLA Department of History and Luskin Center for History and PolicyResearch assistants: Danielle Wilson, Michael Dean, Liliana KatzCASE - Central Arizonans for a Sustainable EconomyJohn WilhelmInterviewers: Danielle Wilson, Antonio Mendoza, Gaspar Rivera Salgado, Vivian RothsteinMarco Amador