We were privileged to see a work-in-progress performance by artist, Jose Torres-Tama, at Ashe Cultural Arts Center. The work-in-progress productions and the following “talk backs” were completed in preparation for the finished performance which will be held at Ashe later this year. Except for a few moments of technical work throughs, a yet to be completed Who Wants to be a Day Laborer ”game show,” some improvisation about the recent gulf oil spill catastrophe and a few very minor script derivations/stumbles, the production is close to completion. This version of the performance, a nearly an hour and a half combination of scenes or skits, was extremely powerful and even during quieter moments, filled with energy. Torres-Tama is truly a force on stage commanding the attention and respect of the audience. All but a few of his characters in this production (the Nicaraguan girl and the Confederate flag carrying conservative) are well rehearsed and spot-on. The subject matter addressed in this production, and some of his others (found on his website), can sometimes be cliche/over-the-top, or (least effectively) bluntly addressed. However, when Torres-Tama nails it, he nails it, bringing sensitive issues that we have neatly, comfortably tucked away to the forefront of our thoughts.