WHY I DO WHAT I DO

I am the person my ancestors whispered and dreamed about. It is because of them that I am here and that I write. I write bold nourishment for the lonely, fight loud for the quiet. I am originally a Philly playwright. I am if cumbia escaped the Mexican immigrant hearts in South Philly and flooded all of Broad street, I am that dude who scratches poems into septa seats whenever I can. I am a Native Danzante, and dance and writing are my prayers to the liminal. I write as if I’m dancing, the sound of the huehuetl following me as I move-I am the guidance that brings forth rhythms and souls

I write in hope that my words will become hieroglyphs- symbols for future lives to saturate and find relief in. Within, there is an urge to dig to the core. To hit intramuscular, to burn bright. My work is liberated when held. I aim to be strong and activate tender revelation. I seek to destroy and soar through expectations. My plays are mystical and dive into the unknown, holding mirrors up to flawed humans asking what can and what will. My writing is also existential. It never gives direct answers. I want to instill in my audience an unscratchable itch that will keep them questioning. My Indigenous Mexican heritage leads me to write about sacrifice. What do we give up everyday to keep going, tangible or not? What traditions and routines do we innovate and follow to survive? My plays are a promise to myself and others of my communities. I promise with my writing that I will preserve our culture and let it root and blossom.