San Salvador, El SalvadorThe stage curtain opens on Evelyn Chileno, a stout, middle-aged woman wearing a red shirt and apron. She is surrounded by the recreated chaos of the capital’s central market. Hands appear from behind a curtain to hand her a baby, then a bag, then another baby, then a basket to balance on her head.

Chileno winces but doesn’t complain while working all day selling toilet paper and cleaning products for a few dollars, enduring her babies’ cries. But when she gets home, it all becomes too overwhelming and she falls to her knees: “What if one day you scold me, screaming, ‘Why have you brought me into this world?’” Chileno wonders out loud.

Another actress, playing her teenage daughter, hopscotches on stage,