The work never ends.

Or so it seems as I continue conceptualizing and making decisions for a show that is not until September 2023. So far away, yet everything needs time to develop, shift, and become. As an awardee of The Cowles Center’s “Generating Room”, I have free rehearsal space, a stipend, and support from a mentor to brainstorm the artistic process in this new solo/non-solo work.

“En tres”
is the working title for this to-be evening length show weaving past, present, and future desires while embracing the core of my work: identity(ies).

This work questions my lineage and self-determined responsibility to honor Mexico while balancing who I have been in the U.S. the last 28 years.* The “browness” and/or “whiteness”. Physically, emotionally (or at times intentionally not being emotional) in bilingualness and its accent on both lands. “Visiting” and/or “living” in Minatitlán**, Tlacolula***, Racine, Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis. In searching for authenticity in community while navigating the freedom to choose who I want and don’t want to be individually. Then of course future…and what I leave behind or take with. The desire for all of the questions to be answered by “dance”. Ironically I near one possible answer by thinking of letting you the viewer, reader, spectator, audience member, choose where to place yourself in this inner dialogue — thus relieving myself to present it neatly for you. After all, we have a relationship, and damn are relationships dynamic.

*If you didn’t know, I in fact am not 28 years old (I wish). I was brought to the U.S. at four years old, pretending to be someone else’s son.

**The city in Veracruz where I was born. This state is where my mom’s side of the family resides and whom I’m closer to.

***The city in Oaxaca where my dad is from. My parents met in Veracruz though my mom was born in Ixtepec, Oaxaca. Much of my memory here encompasses mountains, dry climate, silence, food, colors. My parent’s plan is to retire here in the next few years.

¡A más!

-José