Artist’s Statement
It all started when I was born to a semi-pro soccer player and a writer/former dancer who enrolled me in a youth soccer program as a 4 year old. When I stated my favorite parts about soccer were the snacks and “costumes” we got, the cleats got switched out for jazz shoes and the field for the rehearsal space at the local community center. Now, here I am, 16 years and many productions later, an aspiring playwright, director, and actress getting my B.A. in Theatre Arts and English with a double minor in Musical Theatre and Creative Writing. Growing up, I rarely saw Chicano characters, let alone Latino characters, in any media. In the summer after I graduated high school, my last year eligible to participate in my local youth theatre company, I was fortunate enough to get my first lead ever as one of the very few canonically Latina leads in theatre: Mimi Marquez. As a playwright, I aim to expand the number of Latino, specifically Chicano, characters and stories. As a director, I aim to integrate more diversity and personal cultural touches to everything I direct. My cultural identity is important to me despite it being a target in many political battles. Due to this, much of my writing and creative work carries with it political advocacy themes that I am not afraid to have on display. I aim to be a guide for other Latino kids so they know, to quote Ariana DeBose, the “‘Great White Way’ is more of a nickname and less of a ‘how to guide.’”