Nightmares and Dreams: Immigrant Voices is a short play written and performed by a group of Vineyard women, ranging in age from 15 to 50, from Latin American countries about their experience immigrating to America in general and Martha’s Vineyard in particular. This original work will be performed free for the public in the regional high school library next Friday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m., as the closing program of the spring session of Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard.

The play’s origins are based on work done in a 2007 adult education class, teaching English conversation through improvisational theater exercises, music and literature as creative learning tools. The women have decided to bring the play out of the classroom and into the community as a forum piece to stimulate discussion on immigration issues on the Island, and to promote awareness.

The troupe is made up of Maribel Umpiérrez Adams, originally from Uruguay; Lorena Crespo, from Ecuador; Patty Gallardo, from Chile; and supporting troupe members: choreographer Christina Montoya; actor Eduardo Banegas, originally from Argentina; singer Fern Thomas, and teacher/director Lynn Ditchfield.

Donations are welcome, as a benefit for the Chaska Hill Women’s Cooperative in Cuzco, Peru, which was devastated by recent flooding. Products created by the cooperative will be available for purchase, and Sheila Rayyan will weave strands of “goddess glitter” hair tinsel into hair as part of the benefit. For more information, e-mail lynn@acemv.org or leave a voicemail message at 508-693-1033, extension 240.