L to R: Herbert Siguenza, Ric Salinas and Richard Montoya
Photo by Mario Ruiz

Culture Clash is a West Coast-based comedy/theatre ensemble that was formed by Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza in 1988. Schooled in the Chicano political theatre of Teatro Campesino and the circus/carpa traditions of Mexico and Central America, the ensemble was also strongly influenced by Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, the Marx Brothers and Cant'nflas. This mixture brought an urban reality into their art. Their biting and hilarious looks at Chicano culture in the U.S. quickly built them a strong and loyal audience – first among Chicanos and then broadly into Los Angeles and across the country.

Culture Clash masterfully uses slapstick, vaudeville, mime, spoken word and acting tocreate performances that reveal the dignity, resilience, and determination of oppressed people in the United States. Their own experience and, since 1998, their use of site-specific research and interviews produce work that crosses cultural and racial differences and underscores universal themes.

Culture Clash's work has been staged at the Lincoln Theatre in New York, the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, The Kennedy Center in D.C. and the New York ShakespeareFestival/Public Theatre. They co-produced, wrote and starred in an award winning short film, Columbus On Trial and in the early '90s, their 30-episodeTV show appeared on FOX Network Television. Recent projects include Mission Magic Mystery Tour about the impact ofgentrification on San Francisco's Mission District, a late 1990s adaptation of The Birds by the Greek playwright Aristophanes, and a screenplay.

Culture Clash was interviewed by Mari Riddle, a musician and vocalist, on August 2, 2000. The interview took place at Side Street Projects, a non-profit artist-run organization in Los Angeles.