When lights dimmed and two actresses entered the stage Wednesday night in the Memorial Union, the audience fell silent for the beginning of “The Speech.”

The play, hosted by the Arizona DREAM Act Coalition was designed to raise awareness about the thousands of students in America who struggle to reach their goals because of their non-citizen status.

Joel Montaño, the writer of the play, was inspired by ideas that members pitched for the event, which was prepared in three weeks.

Marco Robles, vice-president of the coalition, said the purpose of the play was to show the more than 150 people the struggles that undocumented students go through.

“They want to be a part of this country and they have a lot to contribute, but due to their legal status here, they really can’t fulfill their goals and their dreams,” he said.

The play was part of a national “Back-to-School Day of Action” campaign across 26 states. Activities nationwide included rallies, film screenings, petition drives and sleep strikes.

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act was re-introduced to bi-partisan legislation on March 26.

If passed, the bill would grant residency to undocumented students brought to the U.S. who have held continuous residency for at least five years.

In addition to conditional residency, these students would have to graduate from high school and complete two years of college or military service and abstain from committing felony crimes.

“We think the DREAM Act should be the first step in comprehensive immigration reform. That’s the message we’re trying to get to Washington,” said Genie Zavaleta, a supporter of the DREAM Act since it was introduced to Congress the early 2000s.

To achieve this goal, the coalition asked audience members to sign letters addressed to former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to get the act passed more quickly.

“Our best approach is to try to get to Janet Napolitano. We’re sending as many [letters] as we can to get her attention. She has the power to stop the deportation of our students,” Zavaleta said.

The group’s ultimate goal is to get the message of the DREAM Act to President Barack Obama.

After “The Speech,” the host of the event, Erika Rodriguez, spoke to the audience and previewed a short video called “3 Minutes Of Your Time: DREAM Act” showing ASU students who directly benefits from passage of the DREAM Act.

“We really need to start acting now. We really need to the DREAM Act to pass as soon as possible,” Rodriguez said.

Reach the reporter at devin.creer@asu.edu.