THE ORIGINAL

Millions of immigrants came through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954, but who was the first? A couple of years ago, after researching records from the Netherlands, scholars at the Dominican Studies Institute at CUNY City College identified the first immigrant to New York City. His name was Juan Rodriguez, a sailor turned merchant who arrived in 1643 in downtown Manhattan from his home on the island now known as the Dominican Republic. Director Maija Garcia presents I Am New York: Juan Rodriguez, a new work of theater that imagines the story of an unsung hero of mixed race who defended his freedom to live in this incredible city.

Wed., May 28, noon, 2014