The play, School of Assassins, opens with the tolling of the bell eight times and the proclamation that "All is NOT well."

The United States Army General enters and takes his place of command as the Headmaster at the School of the Americas, directing all who attend.

Workers in Guatemala try to organize and unite, asking for fair wages and decent working conditions. All the while under the watchful eye of Death.

The workers efforts to organize do not go unnoticed by the Guatemalan General, who looks to the SOA Headmaster for guidance.

Guatemalan soldiers are brought in and the workers are chained and dragged away.

The second General to enter represents the Army of El Salvador.

Using his "hand" gun, he points to the audience and says "El Salvador, mine! It's all mine. All of it!" He means what he says.

Archbishop Oscar Romero enters, representing the thousands of religious, educational and human rights workers who have dared to speak out in their country. They have either disappeared or have
been assassinated.

Romero is confronted by El Salvadoran soldiers carrying Made in America M-16 rifles.

The Salvadoran General learned his lessons well at the School of the Americas and orders the religious workers killed.

Romero prays over a dead church worker moments before he himself is assassinated.

The Argentine General enters and dances a tango with death. Most of the steps the General knows were learned at the School of the Americas.

The Headmaster directs the General to take care of the problem of those looking for lost loved ones.

The General first instructs the soldiers to beat the women and then he himself shoots the mother of a child.

The three Generals are proud of their work and gladly return to the School of Assassins to receive their Ribbons of Achievement...

...But now, there is no doubt that these awards contain strings and money is what binds those strings.

In the end, the people prevail, cutting the ties to the
School of Assassins.

The schola, or choir, provides the vocal accompaniment throughout the play.

The final scene has the entire cast leading the chant of "Close the School of the Americas. Close the School of the Americas. Close the
School of Assassins!"

For more information on the United States Army School of the Americas, located at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, click here and go to:
School of the Americas Watch

The name of the play, School of Assassins, comes from the name given to the school by its own students while it was headquartered in Panama,
and run by the US Army.

The Minnesota Justice and Peace Street Theatre is an all volunteer organization based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The troupe has performed School of Assassins nationally. The Justice and Peace Street Theatre is financially dependent on free will donations from our audiences.

The play is available for performances in churches and schools. For additional information, please contact Marlys Weber at marlyweb@prodigy.net