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ABOUT THE SHOW
When you lose a son, what do you do?
If you're Manuel Oliver, you turn grief into action.
GUAC is a fearless, funny, and deeply moving theatrical tour-de-force about a father turned activist. Seven years after his son Joaquin "Guac" Oliver was killed in the Parkland shooting, Manuel Oliver channels his love, loss, and rage into a powerful force for change. From pepperoni bacon pizza to air guitar solos, Oliver paints a vivid, unforgettable portrait of a vibrant life cut short—and a father’s relentless fight for a better future. Both a celebration and a rallying cry, GUAC pulls zero punches and speaks to anyone who has ever loved, lost, or dreamed of making a difference.
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography
Photo by Donna Aceto Photography
Photo by Cameron Whitman Photography
Christina House / Los Angeles Times
"WE ARE THE OLIVERS. AND SOMEONE DECIDED TO F**K WITH THE WRONG FAMILY."
MANUEL OLVIER
Writer & Performer, Joaquin Oliver's Dad
Manuel Oliver's 17-year-old son, Joaquin, was killed in 2018 by a mass shooter at his school in Parkland, Florida. He co-founded the non-profit advocacy group Change the Ref; which seeks to empower young leaders to end American gun violence. He is an artist, creative director, recognizable mentor for the advertising industry, global activist, and international speaker.
PATRICIA OLIVER
Executive Producer, Joaquin Oliver's Mom
Patricia Olvier is the mother of Joaquin "Guac" Oliver, who was murdered in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018, during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting. She is a co-founder of Change the Ref. Patricia grew up in Venezuela. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and an associate's degree in public relations. She and her husband, Manuel, and their children, Joaquin and Andrea, immigrated to the United States in 2003. Patricia has become an activist and is devoted daily to fighting for change and common-sense gun reform. Patricia's fight is inspired by the youth movement and other organizations combating gun violence.
Joaquin "Guac" Oliver
On the morning of Valentine’s Day, he walked into school with flowers and a plan for a date with his girlfriend. He was a supportive brother, a thoughtful friend, and a beloved son known for his loyalty and sense of humor. He was a brilliant writer, authoring beautiful love poems and thought-provoking short stories, always proud of his Venezuelan heritage, basketball court skills, and diverse musical taste. His legacy becomes an extension of his life and a powerful tool for activism against gun violence.
PERFORMANCE HISTORY
UPCOMING
2025
10/14-11/02, 2025 - Culver City, CA - Center Theatre Group
RECENT
2025
01/25-02/16, 2025 - Washington, D.C. - Woolly Mammoth **Helen Hayes Recommended **
2024
10/25-11/3, 2024 - Off-Broadway, NYC - The Public
8/2-3, 2024 - San Diego, CA - San Diegans For Gun Violence Prevention
7/18-28, 2024 - Tysons, VA - 1st Stage's Logan Solo Festival
3/8-10, 2024 - New York City - United Solo Festival
2/17/24 - Lansing, MI - MSU Latinx Film Festival
2023
11/03 & 11/11/23 - New York City - United Solo Festival, named BEST PRODUCTION of the Festival
08/05/23 - Chicago, IL - Greenhouse Theatre, as part of Guac's Magical Tour
An early version of the play called Guac: My Son My Hero toured House of Blues venues in 2019.
CREATIVES
Written and Performed By
Manuel Oliver
Co-Written By
Directed By
Sound Designer
Lighting Designer
Executive Produer
Patricia Padauy-Oliver
Developed as GUAC: My Son My Hero under the original direction of James Clements.
A Father Stages the Unthinkable: Losing a Son in a School Shooting
By Christopher Kuo
Manuel Oliver had arrived at the point of his one-man show where it was time to re-enact the murder of his son, Joaquin, who was one of 17 people killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in 2018.
He donned a paper mask of the face of Joaquin, who was a 17-year-old senior when he was killed. He grabbed a hammer and turned to a life-size portrait of Joaquin and methodically banged it four times — once for each bullet that had struck him — creating a jagged hole. Then Oliver crumpled to the ground, as if lifeless.
THE EXHIBIT
VISIT, EXPERIENCE, CREATE, THINK, ACT…and MORE
An exhibition about creativity and unconventional action against gun violence.
DEMAND is a call to confront the urgency of this moment, to channel grief and outrage into action, and to imagine a world where we no longer live in fear of the next headline.
Experience and interact with empowering work, such as a video game developed by Webcore Games, to even a motorcycle that started as a father-son project for Manuel and Joaquin
BOOKING
If you are interested in professionally producing GUAC, please email: guactheplay@gmail.com.
