My Academic Journey
My dream of attending college and becoming a writer and artist began at a very young age. When I was four, my mother taught me to read and write in Spanish. Inspired by the fotonovelas she kept hidden in her room, I constructed picture stories with Spanish subtitles. This creative outlet became my escape from the violence and abuse surrounding us at home. At that age, I drew and wrote to forget; later, I used these expressions to remember.
Those early experiences instilled in me a strong desire not just to survive but to live and learn. As an adult, these challenges gave me the inner strength to face uncontrollable situations, such as my battle with breast cancer and unforeseen events, like my mother’s dementia.
But my journey wasn’t just about overcoming struggle but also a quest for excellence. After years as a theater artist and playwright, I felt a calling to chase my academic dreams. I became the first in my family to earn a Bachelor’s degree, completing it with the highest honors in under two years, despite starting later in life. A year and a half later, I graduated with a Master’s degree. The pinnacle of my journey was fulfilling my childhood dream of earning a Doctorate in Philosophy, cheered on by my husband and children.
Through all of this, I realized that drawing and writing were not mere escapes but powerful tools for resilience. The cement backyard of my childhood may have shaped me, but it certainly didn’t confine me. The musty scent of library books, the vibrant colors of masterful paintings, the prose and poetry of writers who came before me, and the untold stories of incredible women still spark a deep love for learning in me—one that has been alive since before my first day of Kindergarten.
I share my story, hoping it inspires others to push through obstacles and chase their dreams.
My Research Interests
As a researcher, my interests are rooted in cognition and embodiment, mainly focusing on Early Modern Spanish Theater and Women and Gender Studies. My passion lies in exploring the stories and experiences of extraordinary women who significantly contributed to the theater industry in seventeenth-century Spain. My latest book project centers on the lives of four trailblazing women who played a pivotal role in the emergence of women as actors and theater entrepreneurs in the mid-1600s.
My work includes my first book, "Women's Somatic Training in Early Modern Spanish Theater," and several journal and anthology articles showcasing women as active agents in early modern Spanish plays and theater. By analyzing philosophical treatises and plays from a feminist perspective, I aim to highlight how women were instrumental in shaping the theatrical landscape of the time. As an invited scholar and presenter at numerous major conferences and workshops, I delve deeper into topics such as engendering the stage, body politics, and the influential roles of women as actors, directors, and mentors.
My Pedagogical Philosophy
As an educator, I firmly believe that learning shouldn't be confined to one area. That's why my teaching philosophy embraces interdisciplinary studies and collaborative authorship. My ultimate goal is to create a dynamic classroom environment where both students and teachers learn from each other and where students feel safe to express themselves and take risks. By exploring different perspectives and cultures, students are encouraged to think outside the box and develop innovative approaches to learning. My passion lies in inspiring my students to fall in love with language, literature, and theater, igniting their curiosity, and motivating them to pursue their dreams.
My Artistic Work
I’m passionate about creating vibrant and engaging theater experiences that blend traditional techniques with cutting-edge approaches. In a spirit of collaboration with playwrights, actors, and directors, I bring stories to life on stage, fostering a sense of community and sparking meaningful conversations among artists, community members, and academics.
My work is deeply committed to women's and gender issues, focusing on the Latinx community. I delve into sensitive topics often overlooked, such as domestic abuse, AIDS, incest, misogyny, and immigration, striving to shed light on these critical issues and inspire change. Some of my recent works are:
- Daisies by the Sea
- Dreaming with el Coquí
- The Night Before
- Dreaming of Oz
- La Amazona Bárbara Coronel: A Short Play
- Broken Silence (screenplay)
I also enjoy working on collaborative projects, such as:
- Moving Muses, an installation performance piece created with Norwegian Sculptor Marit Benthe Norheim and Performance Artist Sigrid Ørntoft.
- La verdad no duele, a co-written and directed video for KTCA-Twin Cities PBS.
- Rosario's Barrio, The Melting Plot, and award-winning play, ¿Quién sabe quién soy?, written in collaboration with Teatro Latino de Minnesota.
I'm proud to have had my work showcased by esteemed theater companies like Teatro de la Esperanza, Teatro del Pueblo, Pangea World Theater, the Playwrights' Center, and Teatro Latino de Minnesota. My ultimate goal as a playwright is to push the boundaries of traditional theater and make it more inclusive and representative of our diverse society.
Academic Awards and Honors
Invited Lecturer, Kirsten Kjær Museum, Denmark, May 2024
Invited Lecturer, The Institute for Learning in Retirement, Florida 2020
Invited Lecturer, University of Denmark, Odense, Denmark 2020
RSA Diversity Grant 2019
Invited Scholar, McMaster University, in partnership with Stratford Festivals 2018
Invited Scholar, University of Konstanz, Germany 2018
Fellow, The Center for Body, Mind, and Culture at FAU 2017-present
Invited Scholar, Sigma Delta Pi, Chapter Rho Omicron, Florida 2017
Postdoctoral Fellow, The Center for Body, Mind, and Culture at FAU 2015-2017
Provost’s Dissertation-Year Fellowship Award 2010-2011
Ford Foundation Diversity Ph.D. Dissertation Fellowship, Honorable Mention 2011
Sigma Delta Pi Graduate Research Grant 2010
Delores A. Auzenne Ph.D. Fellowship Award 2008-2010
Ford Foundation Diversity Ph.D. Fellowship, Honorable Mention 2009
Graduate Diversity Fellowship 2008
Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship 2007
Artistic Awards and Honors
Dramatic Question Theatre's 2024 Playtime program Participant, Oct-Dec. 2024
AGE Legacy Playwright Grant Finalist 2023
Artist-in-Residence, Hjørring, DK 2023
The Playwrights’ Center’s Recognition at the Ivey Awards Ceremony 2013
Latina Writer Festival, Teatro del Pueblo, Minneapolis 1998
Festival Latino IV, El Teatro de la Esperanza, San Francisco 1996
The Playwrights’ Center Many Voices Residency Award, MN 1995
Intermedia Arts Mentor: Extensions Program for Artists of Color, Minneapolis, 1994
Minnesota State Arts Board Career Opportunity Grant, St. Paul, MN 1994
McKnight Foundation Arts Grant 1994, 1996
Metropolitan Foundation Arts Grant 1994-1996
Minnesota Theater Festival “Playwriting Contest,” Albert Lea, MN, Judge 1996
Jerome Foundation Arts Grant 1996
National Endowment for the Arts Expansion Grant 1995
Minneapolis Arts Commission Grant 1994-1995
The Playwrights’ Center “Playwriting Grants,” Minneapolis, Judge 1994-1995
MAX ’93 Grant, Minnesota Arts Experience, Minneapolis 1993
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