Our people: Local loves her life backstage

If you spend some time with Clovis' Christy Mendoza you may believe she speaks directly, forcefully.

"I was taught to speak so everyone could hear. People think I'm angry, but I'm not," Mendoza said.

Mendoza stopped by the offices of The News on Thursday to talk about her life.

Q: So you were born in Los Angeles?

A: In the Queen of Angels hospital. I lived there until I was 10 years old.

Q: What are some of your memories of Los Angeles?

A: Downtown L.A. The Bradbury Building, it's been used in so many movies.

After my parents divorced we'd go spend summers in L.A. visiting our father. He'd just let us run downtown on Broadway.

There was the beach. That was our entertainment. Venice Beach, Dog Town, skateboarding.

Q: How did you come to Clovis?

A: This is my mother's hometown.

Q: Speaking of your mother, you have a saying about her, about knowing what will play for the public in Clovis, don't you?

A: In choosing acts for the Cultural Arts Series, if I thought it would pass Mom's approval I knew other Clovis people would like it.

Q: Tell us about your mom.

A: My mom was a character. She loved people.

She was very honest, a very caring person. She would help people.

Her family's store, Casillas Food Market, was called "Mary's Store" by many in town.

When my parents divorced she had to scrimp and save to support us.

And I love her for that.

Q: We hear you insulted Judy Garland?

A: It was when I was little.

It was a learning experience for me. I learned there are words that can hurt people.

I used a word I just wouldn't use today. I was a child and it was a different time.

My Mom and Dad took me to see Judy Garland at the Shrine Auditorium in downtown L.A.

I expected to see Judy Garland as she was in "Wizard of Oz," as Dorothy.

I even expected to see Dorothy's dog Toto, just like in "Wizard of Oz."

So Judy Garland makes her entrance on stage.

I pointed and said loud enough for her to hear, "Who's that fat lady?"

My parents were mortified.

They sent me to the lobby to play with other kids. I was running around with these kids being led by this tall teenager.

That was Liza Minnelli (Garland's daughter).

Q: How would you describe your career?

A: I directed plays. That's my first love.

And playwriting. I started in that and want to get back to it.

One of my plays was performed at the American College Theatre Festival.

It's titled "Redneck Graphics."

It takes place in Clovis at the old Eagles Lodge. It's a sci-fi piece.

There's a sandstorm and a mysterious child pops up. They find him at the bar.

Along the way I learned the art of producing cultural arts productions.

I have taught theater.

Q: What do you like about being a theater director?

A: Bringing the vision that my team and I have to opening night.

Q: What do you consider the greatest theatrical production ever?

A: Peter Brook's "The Mahabharata." I believe it's the story of the Hindu Bible.

I saw it at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It's an 11-hour production. I saw it over a three-day period.

The set was the floor of the theater with sand, water, fire and actors using the power of human voice and movement to tell the tale of their civilization.

Q: What is your strength? Your weakness?

A: My strength is my flexibility because I like to think outside the box lots of times.

My "kryptonite" is the world.

Q: What's your favorite food?

A: I have two favorite foods: Menudo and oysters on the half-shell.

Q: Do you have a favorite place to vacation?

A: Portugal.

Next time I go I want to go to Nazaré where they have those huge waves.

I love Portugal, the stories of Lisbon and The Great Fire.

I love the people, the food, the atmosphere, the quaint little towns.

Portugal speaks of the Old World qualities.

Q: Are you still director of the Clovis Community College Cultural Arts Series?

A: Yes.

I retired from teaching but not Cultural Arts. I work with Natalie Daggett.

We're getting ready for Mark Nizer, Laser Magician. He works with "4-D magic." The audience will get "X-Ray" goggles.

It's a new dimension in entertainment.

Can I say the Citizens Bank is our sponsor?

Citizens Bank is our sponsor.

Q: Do you have a favorite saying or quote?

A: I'm a big fan of Donna Tartt who wrote my two favorite books, "The Goldfinch" and "The Secret History."

She wrote:

• "When you feel homesick, just look up, because the moon is the same wherever you go."

• Regarding the way art is loved: "It's a secret whisper from an alleyway, 'Psst, you, hey kid, yes you.'"

• "Love doesn't conquer everything, and whoever thinks it does is a fool."