William A. Virchis, professor emeritus at Southwestern College, former director of the Visual and Performing Arts Department within the Sweetwater Union High School District and producing artistic director of Teatro Máscara Mágica, will receive the prestigious Roberto Martinez Spirit Award in ceremonies presented by the Border Angeles at its annual fund raising dinner on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Jacob Center, 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego.
The event takes place from 6 to 10 p.m.
Martinez was a pioneer of immigrant rights and an activist. He was the former director of the American Friends Service Committee. Border Angels founder Enrique Morones lauded Virchis for “his lifetime of incredible devotion and work” with the community.
Virchis has produced, directed and acted in ground breaking theater for more than 50 years. Since the 1960s he has nurtured thousands of students both in the theater and the wrestling room as a coach within the Sweetwater district.
“He is an energetic, committed and loyal ambassador for education, performing arts, the sport of wrestling and civil rights,” Morones said.
Virchis is the former director of the VAPA department in the Sweetwater district. Prior to that, he served as professor and artistic director at Southwestern College, beginning in 1973.
Virchis earned his associates in arts degree at Southwestern College, his B.A. and M.A. at San Diego State University where he was the recipient of the Sybil Eliza Jones Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Drama, the school’s highest award in the field of drama. He did his post-graduate work at the University of Mexico City.
Virchis has directed, produced and acted in more 300 productions and has been on stage all over the United States, Mexico and Canada. Virchis started at the Old Globe Theatre when he was a high school student. His mentor Craig Noel told him that he must use his cultural voice loud and clear in his journey in the theater as well as in his life.
