The Theatre Department at Stanislaus State is raising the curtain and awareness of social issues with their performance of “Roosters,” as part of the third annual Social Justice Conference.

The Social Justice Conference, sponsored by the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, features the play “Roosters,” as well as two spoken word performances, and an art exhibit by Joey Krebs. The performances seek to ignite conversations about “human rights, social inequities, privilege, distortion, anger, repression and oppression-fueled circumstances,” the university said in a released statement about the conference.

“Roosters” tells the story of Hector, a young farm worker, and his complicated relationship with his father, a philandering, macho type obsessed with cockfighting, who has just served a jail term for manslaughter. Hector's sister, an otherworldly creature who wears angel wings; his lusty, profane aunt and his long-suffering mother, who wishes her family would stop bickering and live in peace are all drawn into the swirling conflict.

“Roosters” is by playwright Milcha Sanchez-Scott, an American playwright of Indonesian, Chinese, Dutch, and Colombian heritage. She spent her early years in Colombia, Mexico, and London, attended Catholic school in La Jolla, California, and graduated from the University of San Diego, where she studied literature, philosophy, and theatre.

Sanchez-Scott moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, but was discouraged by the roles representing Hispanics and began writing her own plays. Her first play, “Latina” in 1980, was based on her experiences working as a receptionist in a maids' agency in Beverly Hills. It went on to win seven Drama-Logue awards.

The play is being staged on the Stan State Mainstage Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 16, 17, and 18 and 2 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 19. Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for students, seniors, military, and university staff and faculty. For tickets visit https://www.csustan.edu/event/theatre/roosters.