a sketchbook of nevermades

This is a sketchbook of characters, scenes, and stories that are muted or absented from the movie, At LeAst We Look Good. It acknowledges the labor of populating the truth-in-fictitious world of UCsd | the Musical with complex characters, stories and structures that are always already mis-understood. To borrow a phrase from Eve Tuck, nevermades are the “not yet and not anymore.” LA-based artist Ken Gonzales-Day, developed the idea of the nevermade as a play on “Marcel Duchamp’s now archetypal ready-mades such as Fountain (1917), a signed urinal that was initially rejected for its conceptual illegibility.”

Nevermades are the characters, stories, memories, and experiences already rejected for their conceptual illegibility.

“Enlightenment”

Zeta (Cynthia): One of UCSD’s top robots. Pre-med, Bio-Chem major, assists at robot assembly lab. Basically lives at Geisel Library. Zeta enjoys turning orphans into robots. This distracts her from remembering her own identity. She changed her name to Zeta when she became a robot. Her old name is unknown. Zeta’s battery life is gauged by the height of her pouf.

Billie Jean (Berkeley): An Orphan that has learned to pass as a robot. Highly intuitive about situations and loves to people watch which assists in passing. None of the Robots recognize her because she hasn’t been programmed. She can’t hang out with Orphans for fear of being found out. Convinced that the laboratory will rob her soul and voice, she still treads dangerously near it to test how well she can pass. Good student, great grades, but stays silent in her classes so not to reveal her true nature. She has a habit of thinking very critically about the institution, since she’s figured out how it works. Undeclared major. Takes different classes entirely for the experience.

Julian (G): Julián is an AB 540 (undocumented) student. Very confident, proud, and has a lot of swagger. Can come off as intimidating, scary, and overall disrespectful, but to close friends he is funny, goofy, and a sweetheart. He transforms into Julian, the proper speaking, fresh cut student pictured.

Jacqueline (Rae): Goes by “Jackie.” An artsy robot, which makes her prone to malfunction and in need of regular maintenance. A bit spacey, gets good grades, in all the right organizations, planning to become a researcher. So no one is too concerned. Enjoys painting still-lifes and other acceptable, wholesome subjects. Oscillates between being baffled by her own malfunctions, and being blissfully unaware of them.

Coco (Erica): Math major, emphasis in Probability and Statistics. She chose this major mainly to figure out the probability of her becoming a billionaire so-cialite. Needless to say, she soon discovered that her odds were very slim. She has recently settled on more modest dreams, where she hopes own a vineyard, where all the wines will be named after her. Coco is indecisive because she has trouble figuring out what she doesn’t want (bc she wants everything). Unfortunately, because she spends so much time online shopping and practicing red carpet smiles in the mirror, she does not do well in school. For this reason, she enrolled herself in Alicia’s study, hoping to increase her GPA and overall productivity.

Concept Alicia’s robot lab has boomed into an assembly line, “UCSD Productions.” She and her assistant, Billie Jean, produce twice the previous amount. Greater productivity has led to greater possibility for malfunctions. However, her first four prototypes seem to be running perfectly. Julian, Zeta, Coco, and Jacqueline are neatly stamped on the nape of their necks. Alicia is proud, but can’t fully enjoy her achievement until they are properly examined at their bi-quarterly check-up, the SunGod Festival.

Since their transformation, Julian, Coco, Zeta, and Jacqueline received Provost Honors and obtained internships. Julian published a thesis as an Undergraduate, receiving several diversity scholarships and awards. The day of their bi-quarterly check up, Julian, Coco, Zeta,and Jacqueline wander through Marshall College towards Alicia’s lab. Billie Jean trails behind them in the bushes, observing quietly. There is a steady rhythm in the air, a beat that grows in magnitude and momentum. Other students scurry past excit-edly. Upon hearing the music, Jacqueline begins to talk in poetry. Like an infectious virus, Julian, Coco, and Zeta also begin to malfunction. Jacqueline convinces the others to check out where the music is coming from. They almost get swept into the field with the crowd. “SUNGOD FESTIVAL”, a sign says.

Final Scene: All the robots are staring hypothetically up towards the stage. Their symptoms are similar to an LSD trip. Their pupils begin to pulsate and enlarge, starting to scan and process the florescent green, blue, pink, and purple flashes of color across the stage. For the first time in their robotic life they see color. The colors and the techno/rap/hip hop (whatever) music awaken emotions that they never felt before.

A nevermade by G Jaimes, Cynthia Kashiwagi, Erica Kim, Rae Kumnertsena, Berkeley Bunselmeier

“Of Monstrous Matters A Nevermade by James Misenas and Neftali Valle

Olivander Oyl (James Misenas): Majoring in Critical DADA (Defense Against the Dark Arts) Studies. Exists as a student and a student custodian who resides in the “Tunnels of UCSD.”

Sean T. Eustace (Neftali Valle): New robot, assembled just before the quarter. Majoring in Human Development. Particular interests in the Post-Human Condition, and Donna Haraway’s “A Manifesto for Cyborgs.”

Concept Sean is conducting thesis research in Geisel Library’s basement Arts Collection. When returning a book to the stacks, he notices Olivander on the other side, looking at a book. Sean recognizes Olivander not as a student but as a custodian at Price Center, and wonders what he is doing at the library. Sean decides to approach him. However, by the time Sean walks over, Olivander is gone. Only the book is left. Sean picks it up, and finds a piece of cardboard in its pages...

“Of Monstrous Matters A Nevermade by James Misenas and Neftali Valle

the physics of Of Monstrous Matters1. Sean, as a robot, does not think

that people can inhabit more than one identity

2. Olivander, as a student custodian, can disappear/make himself not visible. Perhaps he becomes the piece of cardboard.

3. Geisel Library seems to be connected to Olivander’s home in the tunnels.

Sean is flipping through a book...

Sean returns the book...

... to find Olivander on the other side...

Sean wonders what book he is reading... only to find a piece of cardboard in between the pages...

Sean goes to the other side to find that Olivander has left, leaving the book that Olivander was reading on the floor...

“Britta”Character Sketch by Nancy Tran

Britta, Student-Athlete Fabulous. Robot, involved and friendly member of an UCSD Athletics team. Spends her free time reading, studying, or visiting professors’ office hours. Aspires to become a doctor. Helps integrate new members into the robotic athletic community by offering study sessions at Geisel and encouraging participation for TAC events.

Sports clothes, looking fabulously athletic but not sweaty

undefined style. large backpack.

Britta, Awkward Hermit Chick: Orphan, spends her time in solitary. Friendly, but does not (or does not know how to) interact with people in class. Member of a student organization, but is disconnected from the group. Has a small group of friends, but is hardly seen around with them. Seems studious, but procrastinates because she prefers not to read/do the assignments. Instead, watches movies/shows and read other material that catches her eye. She is lost.

Theory Fabulousness:is a 2nd year Sociology major at UCSD, and has always felt as if he didn’t belong at the university because he was not your typical scientist. A “scientist” is a robot, one engulfed within the sciences, and expected not to venture into any coursework that involves critically thinking about the world we inhabit.

Concept This sketch focuses on the particular department of the “social sciences.” Located at the Northern point of campus, it is seen as the entrance to the campus, and presupposed to be a part of the university that everyone is able to access. Geopolitically, the department is not central to the campus. On a tour of UCSD, you immediately realize that “science” departments dominate the heart of campus. For example, the Applied Mathematics and Science Building is located at Muir College, which is often percieved as the center of campus. The Social Science Building is located in the boondocks of the campus corner near Eleanor Roosevelt College.

Theory Fabulousness is invisible to the greater campus community because he isn’t invested in the sciences, or the robotic ideals of working for corporations that are responsible for multiple investments in the war on terror, or neoconservative ideals of neo-liberalism. “Orphan” emerges as a peculiar position within an institution that doesn’t allow one to claim ownership over one’s body, and renders them as bodies without a place.

“Theory Fabulousness” A nevermade by James E. Lee

“The Deception”A Nevermade by Christopher Agana & Jose Arias

conceptJoe Daniels forms an underground organization of robots to rebel against the system. Joe meets Bobby, who works at Geisel and claims to know the location of the robot conversion lab. Joe trusts him, and formulates a plane to free the robots. They break in during the Non-Sexist Dance, and successfully help several students escape. In the morning, Bobby betrays the organization. The escaped students are scorned and enslaved by the system as monsters. Bobby knew all along, because he saw this happen his twin brother last year. Joe realizes Bobby’s deception, and they become sworn enemies in the resulting robot war.

Joe Fabulous(José Arias):José Daniels. Outraged robot

made in Mexico, imported to UCSD, which receives additional funding for foreign robots. Name changed from José to Joe after a hardware upgrade allowed him to speak English and French. Joe uses his upgrade to organize a movement against the University.

Bobby Fabulous (Christopher Agana):Buboy Ocampo is a foreign robot from the Phillippines. Introduces himself as Bobby, embarrassed to pronounce his name to American friends. Blends in with the popular crowd by buying new clothes and latest technology. He wants a high paying career, and chooses to major in Biochemistry. Bobby is bilingual, but only speaks Tagalog with his parents, and only if he is at home. He believes that turning students into robots is a necessity, and despises those that choose not to convert..

Joe and Bobby, along with members of Joe’s undercover organization, formulate the plan to enter Geisel library, sneak into the lab, and execute the great escape.

They sneak in at night, according to the plan. The low surveillance of security due to the Non-Sexist Dance makes it easier for the crew to enter. Joe, Bobby, and the organization successfully help several students escape the horror of becoming robots.

The deception came from Bobby, knowing all along that the mission was going to fail. Because Bobby believes that turning students into robots is a necessity, and despises those that choose not to change, he wanted to teach Joe the lesson that having the system turn students into monsters is worse than having them turn into robots. The betrayal transforms them into enemies.

Val is the “Unknown” of the cast. No one really knows where she comes from or what her native tongue is. An Orphan who is looked down upon by the Monsters. Brown hair, brown eyes, isn’t too tall, a love for literature and the arts.

Tiffany is a Monster who is deep down, truly sensitive. Was once an international student, not knowing anyone or the English language properly. Hides her background, needs to project certain image in certain places.

Khalid is an Arab-American student who advocates for Palestinian rights, very involved with political and peaceful organizations. Falls for Val, senses her humbleness. Interests include hiking, playing tennis and public speaking.

Scene 1: “Finals Hell”It’s Finals week. All cast members studying at Geisel; the ultimate Robot palace. Robots, orphans and monsters huddle together in small, separate groups. Val tries to get some help from Tiffany, who is in her English class. Val is rejected because of the way she speaks English: a unique accent, hard to define where she is from or what nationality she is. Tiffany embarrasses her in front of others. Tensions and stress are both high because of finals. Tiffany doesn’t want to seem “lame” in helping out another Orphan. Val ends up utterly hurt, and despising Tiffany. The clock turns 12 and Geisel closes. Everybody scatters and Val is left to walk alone.

Scene 2: “Party After Finals”After-finals party, where all student organizations meet up. Khalid is very involved with this event and hopes to meet new people. Val also goes, hoping that if she interacts with more “natives” she too will be considered a true “native.” Tiffany goes because her club is involved. The party starts later than usual. People are playing different alcoholic games. A lot of socializing and mingling. Val asks for a drink. The bartender looks at her weirdly. He can’t understand what she is saying. Khalid comes and introduces himself. Confident, unafraid to speak to her, he enjoys how she doesn’t fit any category or stereotype. They talk about school activities, classes, overall school life. They click, and soon he gets her number. This moment is a neutral space in the nevermade-scenes, where with the help of alcohol, these characters come to realize who they really are.

Scene 3: “Beginning of Next Quarter”Khalid and Val are soon everywhere, doing everything together: studying, eating, and hanging out. They are sitting together in open-aired food court. Tiffany approaches and pokes fun at Khalid and Val’s relationship. She has anger and resentment towards Val, because Val embodies characteristics that Tiffany denies in herself. Khalid turns and responds, “It’s enough.” Tiffany continues to poke fun at Val’s clothing, looks, way of speaking, and overall identity. The scene ends with Val saying, “It’s funny that you point a finger at me, and how I am, when what you stand for is shallow.”

“The Unscripted, Never-made and Raw: Monsters, Orphans and Robots”A Nevermade by Ani Shaboyan

“Untitled” a nevermade by Mahlet Shenkute

abandoned bikes, shade dried storm drain

“Triton’s Palace”A Nevermade by Ashley Drake and Stephanie-Ann Calix

ConceptAyeDrake, roaming as always, runs into Marisol in the Cross Cultural Center. “How have you been,” conversation. AyeDrake explains how she completely hates UCSD. Marisol consoles, saying, it will get better. AyeDrake rants, UCSD is literally a prison that traps. Marisol attempts to counter with positivity.

AyeDrake gets text from “connect”. Invites Marisol so they can catch up. They head over to Sixth apartments to “pick up”. AyeDrake is about to take her escape, but feels it is impolite to not offer Marisol any. Marisol initially refuses. Back and forth with “connect” teasing. Marisol takes the escape.

Taking their escape accentuates AyeDrake’s desire to escape UCSD completely. They attempt to escape on the shuttle, spaced out as they are. Shuttle brings them back to UCSD.

Marisol proposes escaping through the tunnels. Everyone thinks the tunnels are a myth, but Marisol is persistent in believing. They attempt, but once again, a circular journey. The inescapability of UCSD finally becomes real to Marisol’s sheltered eyes. They look to the horizon, realizing it’s unattainable.

They come down from their high, crash in a corner, and submit to being stuck. AyeDrake realizes the only way to a free spirit, is to drop out or get kicked out. Marisol realizes that her life was the perfect illusion. That it was all a hoax, scares her.

Next morning, RSO wakes them. They promise to k.i.t. Marisol goes back to her fun loving, sorority girl lifestyle. In a few years, she gains honors. AyeDrake becomes a ghost. A “loner” who is never really seen or heard from again. No one really knows if she graduated, got kicked out, or is one of those lost souls roaming the campus, looking for a way to escape.

AyeDrake (Ashley Drake): 3rd year student, from Oakland, from the fast life. Never knew how slow UCSD would really be. Undeclared, then Anthropology, Visual Arts, etc. Is called “a bit flaky,” but she prefers “free spirited”. UCSD inspires her attitude for not caring. She feels like an outcast: an African American woman who doesn’t fit in with the political group, the academic group, or the arts group. She is a floater, with deep hate for UCSD. She cannot can go back home as a failure. Looks for any means to escape.

Marisol (Stephanie Calix): AyeDrake’s freshman year roommate.

Marisol and AyeDrake take their escape, and the trip begins.

They attempt to escape via Shuttle.

They attempt to escape via tunnel.

They can see their goal, but also how it is unreachable.

They experience crash and submission.

“Ready for the Dance?”A nevermade by Jessica Olivares

Luna (robot): A perfect robot. Luna feels entitled to success. Embodies professionalism with simplicity. UCSD considers Luna part of its “diversity”. Very sociable, self-confident, a way with words. Luna convinces orphans to become perfect little UCSD robots, and aspire to the elegance that she embodies.

Allen (robot/monster): An ideal student: good school spirit, involved in student government, his fraternity, and local church group. He studies a lot, with an eye towards the top law schools. He hopes to start his own law firm. Allen is from a low-income family, and is driven by the dream of a “better life”.

Ariana (orphan/robot/monster): thinks outside the box, but is an outcast. Mostly, she dons weirdly dressed outfits. She is very quiet, shy, not confident and not outgoing. However, she observes and analyzes everything at UCSD. She’s 1st generation college student who desires success, but lacks social skills to be a robot.

“Ready for the Dance?”A nevermade by Jessica Olivares

Setting: Dorm before the Non-Sexist Dance

Ariana and Luna are getting ready for Non-Sexist dance. Luna has been trying to get Ariana out of her shell. It is weird for her to have such an awkward roommate. Ariana would prefer to stay home and watch movies. Luna, uses her amazing powers to persuade Ariana to go. Ariana asks to borrow something from Luna’s closet. Luna gladly outfits her. Ariana feels uncomfortable with the new “look”, and not confident about going the dance. Luna convinces her that she looks amazing, saying she’s “sorority material”. With that compliment, Ariana decides to stay with that look.

(Ariana transforms from orphan to monster).

Allen arrives to Luna and Ariana’s suite. Allen and Luna are dating, but not in a relationship. As Allen waits, he catches a glimpse of Ariana. He is stunned and realizes that he wants her. (Allen was never fond of socially awkward Ariana). They all head out for the dance.

Robot Love Horrors A Nevermade by Diana Li, Joanna Huang, Thieny Nguyen, and David Morales

Stephanie Spielberg the obsessed videographer (Diana Li) Can’t stop documenting every single moment of her life, of her multicultural and intersectional identity. In love with Fiona, who represents what SS will never be, perfect.

Fiona the overachieving princess (Joanna Huang) perfectionist, loves to study and work out. Runs multiple organizations: AS, sorority, clubs. Can sing, dance and master anything. BFFs with Monique. Loves Stephanie, but fed up with her filming.

Xena the warrior ghost princess (Thieny Nguyen) haunts library stairs. Overachieving student in previous life, who tripped on stairs and fell to her doom. Sound of her combat boots haunts the stairwell. She attacks Fiona to warn her against the perils of an overachieving personality.

Roberto the robot the intersecting elevator guy (Davíd Morales) just received his acceptance letter to UCSD, and can’t wait to attend. His family and surroundings are plagued by domestic violence, abusive relationships. Eager to escape his reality, he goes to UCSD and pretends that Fall quarter is finally in session.

SynopsisThis is a queer love story in which Stephanie loses Fiona to the ghost that haunts Geisel Library’s stairs, Xena. Fiona goes to the library to study. Stephanie tags along videotaping every moment of their relationship. However, Fiona is tired of Stephanie filming her 24/7 and they get into an argument in front of the elevators. Fiona tells Stephanie to take the elevator so that she can take the stairs alone (another reason Fiona takes the stairs is because she wants an extra workout). The elevator opens and Roberto tries to walk through Stephanie and Fiona’s quarrel. Stephanie is sadly waiting for the elevator when she hears Fiona scream. Stephanie enters the stairs, still filming, and witnesses Xena attempting to consume Fiona.

Xena haunting Fiona

Fiona and Stephanie's argument

Roberto trying to get to the elevator

Stephanie waiting for the elevator just as Xena is about to attack Fiona.

Stephanie filming Fiona reacting to Xena

A nevermade by Dana Banh

Social Princess Fabulous / LC (Dana Banh) LC is a well-rounded, straight A, epitome of hardworking model student. Well dressed and well accessorized. Proudest trait is being popular and accepted in multiple social circles. Vietnamese-Chinese but peers call her “whitewashed”. She can relate to ethnic friends, and still blend in with white friends. Bubbly, friendly, and always smiling, she can easily adapt to any social situation. On weekends she makes her way around her numerous social circles: “cool” popular Greek friends, and her other unaffiliated circles. All are envious of her perfect social life and successful grades.

Exhausted Orphan / Lo(Dana Banh)Lo is the daughter of immigrants who came to the U.Sduring the Vietnam War. Parents are upper-middle class. But her father’s company was recently shut down, reducing her family’s income to less than half of what it was. Lo works 30 hours/week, to acquire the newest clothes and technological gadgets, to maintain a façade for her peers. She works long, often extremely early or late hours at the rec center. But she feels the need to go out, meet friends, maintain circles, and feel included, driven to find social acceptance and expel her FOMO (fear of missing out).

“Fighting for Familia”A nevermade by Bruno Huizar

Dylan Rodriguez (Bruno Huizar) is a 1st year, 1st generation, UC San Diego student. Raised in central Los Angeles by single mother. He didn’t find community at his dorm. Instead, he found family with the trabajador@s who clean dining and residence halls. He grew up cleaning houses in the suburbs with his mother, and working at construction sites with his uncles.

Dylan is a monster at this university, first because UC San Diego is in a border city where people like him do not belong. His father was deported, like many of his family members. Dylan deals with robot students who ignore workers who clean their bathrooms, living areas and dining halls. He is also a monster in action, arguing with students, demanding they treat workers with respect. He joins the workers fight for rights. .

SynopsisWorkers, with a few students, head to library walk on the first day of school to protest mistreatment by university officials. Then they march to the Village, where there are newly arrived robots (transfers), and where most of the poor treatment by students is occurring.

“Monster to Robot”A Nevermade by Grant Burger-White and Adrian Lozano

Jason Villalobos (Adrian Lozano) 4th year Ethnic Studies/ History double major. 3.4 GPA. Keeps to himself. Lately he is struggling with his identity as a student from a poor neighborhood in Southeast San Diego. He feels guilt and burden for the privilege of attending UCSD, for making it out of the barrio. High school friends are all in community college and poor paying jobs. Some are starting families. College friends mostly come from financial and cultural privilege. They don’t understand Jason’s roots. Lately he has begun to socialize less, and just watch a lot of TV on his free time. His grades are declining and he hasn’t slept well in a long time. He’s thinking of dropping out.

ConceptJason is a monster coming from a community and people that were never meant to have access to the university. As Jason becomes exposed to the reality of becoming a robot he feels inadequate and incapable. After he has his interaction with Dr. Roberts outside the university he realizes that this figure he once saw as a robot had monstrosity hiding under his tailored suites and bow ties. For Jason to make the connection between robots and monsters made in his own community liberated him from the orphaning he was experiencing as an inadequate “robot” feeling like a ward of the university with its strict academic regulations for under performing or under producing. This is Jason’s realization when he meets the other side of Dr. Roberts.

Dr. Roberts(Grant Burger-White) Professor of Writing at UCSD. From Southeast San Diego, but does not disclose his roots to students. Proud of his academic history/ accomplishments. Huge supporter of the university. He comes off as very serious and unapproachable. However, he is active in his original community. He often visits his Grandmother, who raised him and still lives in the same apartment.

Jason is walking through a barrio in Southeast San Diego, on his way to help his Aunt. He almost misses Dr. Roberts, who is sitting by himself on a thin stairwell listening to his iPod.

To Jason’s shock, Dr. Roberts grew up in this very apartment, and still visits his grandmother. Jason decides in a random moment of desperation to ask about the dilemmas that have been haunting him.

Jason was dumbfounded. It all felt like a crazy dream. Dr. Roberts giving him advice on privilege in a stairwell in Southeast San Diego.

“The Roots Keep Us All Together”A nevermade by Melissa PErez

Leona, La IngenieraShe feels collapsed to this one identity, orphaned from her identities as Chicana, daughter, sister and friend. Attire: loose, baggy clothing, and a paliacate like campesin@s wear in the fields. Connects the physicality of the campus with her father and mother’s labor.

Concept“Let me know when you are ready to ‘let’ me be an actual member of this group.” Leona storms out of all male engineering study group.

Walks up Geisel stairs to Hopkins Lane. Her robot boots clang. She stops at the intersection, and thinks of him, remembering/reliving how they had their last conversation here, about the heaviness, the way this university is so heavy to bear. He who understood.

She runs into the forest; fully orphan now. She looks around and takes in the quiet resistance of the trees’ sturdiness, their roots. Her walk is quiet now. “The Roots Keep Us All Together” by Jorge Narvaez is playing.

She embraces the cold, the fog rolling in. She sits on a log, thinking of how people uprooted, not ‘allowed’ to grow roots on land, like a deviant/threatening species. The violence of deportation/immigration, the scars of the border, these borderlands mapped onto bodies, her body. ‘Pushed out,’ a different type of violence from deportation, but words to define the violence of existing inside UCSD.

She sits, absorbing. Holds the paliacate in her hand, its sacredness. Camera pans out to take in her surroundings. When it zooms back in on her, she is not there.

Transmission is cut to white “snowy” noise.

Sharae Jay (Bijon Robinson). African American, loves hip-hop, born in Los Angeles, and raised by single mother. She is aggressive at times. However, if one could comprehend the lifestyle she had before UCSD, one might have a better understanding of Sharae.

Douglas (Greg Valdivia). Privileged, white student. Majoring in biology. Grew up in a small town where all his neighbors were white.

Jason Soto (Jason Soto). Mexican student. Separated from his family, as a result of coming to the United States. Determined to succeed. Takes advantage of all resources he can find.

Tyquon London (Aziza Burnett). African American, plays basketball for UCSD, 4.0 GPA. Both parents are teachers.

“The Lack of Understanding”A nevermade by Bijon Robinson, Greg Valdivia, and Jason Soto

Beach partyThis scene introduces the characters to one another. Ron assumes Sharae is a gangster. He then talks about Tyquon as on a basketball scholarship, unaware that UCSD does not give athletic scholarships. Ron then comes across Jason, who is very quiet. No one is clear on how Jason got invited to the party. Ron starts rumors that Jason is plotting to stab someone. Ron feels threatened by the presence of people of color at the beach party.

“Fallin’ in the Trap”A nevermade by Alex Vo and Jasmine Williams

Nicki de Saint Phalle-Minaj (Alex Vo)Nicki de Saint Phalle-Minaj is a combination of Nicki Minaj (renown rap superstar) and Niki de Saint Phalle (French artist who designed Sun God’s statue). Like the character Sun God, Nicki is possibly imagined by Alicia (and is not monster/orphan/robot).(Note: Niki de Saint Phalle died from emphysema, and presumably, smoking). Alicia was inspired to think of Nicki de Saint Phalle-Minaj from seeing the fabulous Miss 21 walk at UCSD. ENJOY.

Alicia (Jasmine Williams)TA at UCSD who works with Dr. Roberts. Assembles robots in a lab. I (Jasmine) thought it would be odd for Alicia to be present at the non-sexist dance. So I brought a pink wig and a fake cigarette, and imagined myself to be an extra. When viewing the dailies, I realized that my extra looked like...Alicia in a pink wig, with a cigarette, and a zebra print top. Soooo, we conceptualized a nevermade to explain why Alicia reappeared as this pseudo-alter-ego.

Concept To survive assimilation at UCSD, Alicia develops an addiction to cigarettes. Smoking symbolizes both acceptance, and the physical residue of oppression upon Alicia. Nicki is not a monster, but an enabler. She smokes with Alicia, then passes her the wig. However, with the cigarette and wig, Alicia is positioned as monster in “beez in the trap” club scene. Although a robot in other scenes, Alicia’s resistance appears as monstrosity.

“Poker Face”A nevermade by Gitanjali Pathak and Katryna Estrada

Maria. 19 year old. Proud of Mexican culture. Parents divorced, lives with mother. Aspiring liberal arts professor.

Rosa- 18 year old. Youngest member. Very intellectual by upbringing. Joined MEChA to learn more about her culture.

Pedro. 20 year old. Survived many gang-related fights and tough situations in high school. Julián helped him through those years. Party animal.

Jacinta. 21 year old. Life changed when cousin suffered multiple injuries from police brutality. Has sworn her life to standing up for culture and beliefs. President of MEChA. Aspires to be like Dolores Huerta.

Juanita. 20 year old. Julián’s friend since grade school. Secret crush on Julián. Feels he changed dramatically after Marisol.

Concept/ Script:

We wanted a scene to add depth, and to solidify Julián’s character as an immigrant and outsider at UCSD. Wanted to show Marisol get judged as well.

JULIáN’S HOME. Every Friday night, Julián’s friends from MEChA play poker but tonight they get a text saying he changed his mind and decided to accompany Marisol to Non-sexist Dance.

MARIA: Julián is seriously stupid if he ever thinks a girl like Marisol will truly accept him. JUANITA: For reals, do you see the way he dresses now?!?! He’s lost all his culture PEDRO (smirking): EY Man, Marisol’s hot, I would change too ROSA (throws pillow at Pedro): Pedro, it’s guys like you and Julián that disgrace our culture

PEDRO: What the hell are you talking about? JACINTA: Think about, those white folks think we’re some slum bag orphans because guys like you want to change into guys like them. If you were really proud of us why would you change? PEDRO: Man you guys are so blind! MARIA: Our parents fought to get us here and look how they treat us! And you let them! You and Julián!

JUANITA: We fight our asses of every single day to get a fourth of what THOSE monsters have and look at us, we’re sitting here on a Friday night because we aren’t robotic and perfect “them.” ROSA: Juanita if you wanted you could be exactly where Julián is right now JUANITA: I know who I am and where I come from and where I’m not wanted, Julián will see that soon too.

JULIáN storms into the room, looking very upset and angry. It looks as if he’s been crying

JUANITA whispers to Pedro: Damn what timing. PEDRO: Hey man I know...JULIáN cuts him off: I don’t want to talk about it. I know how you all feel about it and how you think I’m an idiot! MARIA: We don’t know what you’re talking about we were just waiting for you to come home so we can start playing a poker game.

JULIáN sits down

ROSA hugs him: You belong with us.JULIáN: This is where I’ll always belong...

All start a game of poker, singing, Its a Hard Knock Life by Jay- Z.

“Speaking in Codes”A nevermade by Hardeep Jandu

Cast

King Triton (similar to Sun God)

SungodJuliánConceptionDr. RobertsAliciaStudents

1. tRItoN stePsScan of Triton Steps at lunchtime. Dr. Roberts talking to Alicia and a Fabulous student. Subtle focus on a cardboard trashcan, busy movement. Zoom, Sungod and King Triton conversing, and handing out quarter sheet flyers.

KING TRITON: And this, this is the new UC logo, to show our innovation and relevance.(hands flyer to Conception, focus shot on UC Logo. Small sound effect, bell chiming)

CONCEPTION: This is the new UC Logo?

TRITON: We redesigned our brand for a modern, more sleek and minimalistic logo.

CONCEPTION: It looks like an aerial view of a toilet. I’m not buyin’ it.

SUNGOD: Well, you probably aren’t buying it. You’re one of those public money students, right? On financial aid?

CONCEPTION: [Gets visibly annoyed, but ignores question] Either way, the visual fits the form - public money down the drain.

JULIAN: [finally speaking] Conception, Let’s just make moves. Come on. [Politely nods to King Triton, Sungod. They move.]

SUNGOD: I swear he looks like Che…

ConceptThis scene comes from a question: Why does Julian falls in love with Marisol. I felt that their love needed more exploration, and who else to ask these questions but Conception? I liked to imagine that Julian and Conception have a close friendship in which they speak in codes known only to them, small phrases and captures from poets, references to some sci-fi films or video games. But as Julian falls in love with Marisol, he is unable to speak in codes with Conception anymore.

2. LIt BUILdINGJulian and Conception, walking. Eventually sit near the UCSD Lit Building, alongside the flower bushes - flowers don’t grow here, I’m guessing bc of the radiation.

CONCPETION: What are you studying, Julian?JULIAN: Sensation and Perception, Cognitive Science 101B. CONCEPTION: perception. conception. interventions without direction. JULIAN: Why are you speaking in codes again? You aren’t making sense.

CONCEPTION: And you aren’t, Che? these words mean something to me. they are sanctuary / so i call sanctuary / my tongue, machete / giving birth, making love, bare feet on hardwood floors -- gives name to those ideas which are, until the poem, nameless and formless-about to be birthed, but already felt.

JULIAN: I can’t understand you anymore, Concepcion.CONCEPTION: Tell me something, J. You used to speak in codes with me. Now you stopped.JULIAN: Y que?CONCEPTION: Why do you love Marisol?

Cut and shot of Lib. Walk with people, speed up, shot of Lib Walk empty.

JULIAN: I’m not sure. She grounds me. She does something to me.CONCEPTION: you can’t make homes out of human beings / someone should have already told you that.JULIAN: She grounds me.CONCEPTION: That’s it?

JULIAN: She moves me.CONCEPTION: She’s pretty.JULIAN: She grounds me. She’s like a shoreline.

CONCEPTION: I see. You, the sea.

JULIAN: You’re looking more and more like Mz Erykah Badu day by day, you know that Conception? [smiles]CONCEPTION: [smiles, adjusts scarf] Thank you. She’s transformation. [wipes smile] But don’t change the subject. Back to you. You really like her, don’t you, Julian?

JULIAN: I do.CONCEPTION: But why?JULIAN: There would be no Eygpt without the Nile. CONCEPTION: If she grounds you, love like a farmer.

props/works cited:

1. land, by suheir hammad: “his approach / to love he said / was that of a farmer”2. eanomi: “there would be no eygpt without the nile” 3. warsan shire: “for women who are difficult to love.”

Monsters, Orphans, Robots2013