It’s been a while.
I appreciate the constant comments and emails with ideas and reflections.
I’ve been working writing plays, plays and more plays.
That work has given me the revelation that I need to do something a bit different with Black Girl, Latin World. Continue reading
via Teatro Vivo
How did you get your start in theatre?
I started making theater when I was 15 years old. The City of Austin had a youth employment program and paid us to put on theater shows. We were all youth of color and from tough neighborhoods, but we all took the job serious. That evolved into an youth-led theater company and an after-school program. And every summer we produced a show for the city. I’ve been making theater since and not only as an actor, but also as a writer, director and producer. I’ve worked with Tongue and Groove Theatre, the Scottish Rite Theatre, El Paso Kids N Co, and with the sketch comedy group Latino Comedy Project. Children’s theater and sketch comedy are my faves, probably because I grew up with these, but I make theater to make a difference, to create dialog and to activate minds.
I make theater to make a difference, to create dialog and to activate minds.
What was your response to the play?
The play resonates with me because of its raw honesty. It’s familiar. And it gives us the opportunity to rectify some of the conflicts presented in the play, and to initiate a much needed conversation. Racial issues in this country have always been seen as black and white. As as result, people of color have not been able to exercise the immense power we have when we work together. This play allows us to see the possibilities.
Racial issues in this country have always been seen as black and white. As as result, people of color have not been able to exercise the immense power we have when we work together.
How was the creative process with working with this play?
Working on this show has been extremely cathartic and a learning experience. Unfortunately, it’s a rare opportunity to work on a show about people of color, by people of color, starring people of color. It’s good to be in a safe space with people who are down. We have a great guide and leader in Florinda. She allows us to play and to make choices that are deeply rooted in our experiences. I can’t wait to share with the gente our labor of love.
We have a great guide and leader in Florinda. She allows us to play and to make choices that are deeply rooted in our experiences.
Thank you Adam for your words and amazing work! You can see Adam and the rest of the cast April 22nd! The Stories of Us will be playing April 21, 2016-May 8, 2016 in Austin, Texas. You can purchase tickets here.
© BLACK GIRL, LATIN WORLD 2016
You may know that the play that I wrote that was featured in the Austin Latino New Play Festival in 2015 was picked up by Teatro Vivo for their 2015-2016 season. And showtime is upon us! The show is directed by the fabulously talented Florinda Bryant (who slays at teatro is you ask me!) and brought to life by a beautiful ensemble of artists.
I wanted to take the time to connect with the members of the cast and crew to hear about their experiences and their stories. Today, the spotlight is on the talented ensemble member Krysta Gonzales!
via Krysta Gonzales
Krysta Gonzales is an actress, playwright, voiceover artist and chingona from El Paso, Texas. She graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of Arts and is a GenEnCo & VORTEX company member. Her recent acting credits include Bright Half Life (Theatre en Bloc) and El Nogalar (Teatro Vivo). Krysta has also written plays (Robin Hood: An Elegy and Más Cara) that have been produced by the Vortex and Teatro Vivo in Austin! Continue reading
You may know that the play that I wrote that was featured in the Austin Latino New Play Festival in 2015 was picked up by Teatro Vivo for their 2015-2016 season. And showtime is in 2 days! The show is directed by the fabulously talented Florinda Bryant (who slays at teatro is you ask me!) and brought to life by a beautiful ensemble of artists.
via Teatro Vivo
I wanted to take the time to connect with the members of the cast and crew to hear about their experiences and their stories. First up, the talented ensemble member Irving Calderon!
via Irving Calderon
Irving was raised in Southern California and Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook Em’). Irving loves performing and appeared in Austin productions of the Wiz and King of Hearts. Continue reading
It’s the START OF SOMETHING GOOD!
When Black Girl, Latin World took flight in 2011, it was purely a hobby. I was inspired by African American, Latino World, the LatiNegr@s Project and many other bloggers and Afrolatino advocates to share my stories dealing with the subject. Since 2013, this blog has been connecting me with beautiful readers who keep me inspired as I write about my experiences as an African American engaging in diaspora. Every email I get from a person who wants to know about Afrolatino theatre work or comment about your experiences keeps me writing.
I’ve taken a bit of the break from this blog because I needed to graduate. I did it! I’m now a University of Texas at Austin graduate! Now, as I seek employment, I plan to focus on my passions…writing and Afrolatinidad.
Black Girl, Latin World will be adding some new and awesome projects that I hope you all will love.
I’m also working on a play centered around Afrolatinidad and I look forward to sharing that progress with you. And you can follow my work as a Her Campus writer too.
I am stoked about this new year and looking forward to connecting with you all.
Of course, if there is anything you would like to see featured on BGLW or if you’d like to be featured yourself drop me a line at at blackgirllatinworld@gmail.com.
Okay, you’ve heard my plans for this new year. What are your goals? Do you want to start a blog? A movement? Learn a new language? Gain a better spiritual relationship? Gain a healthy lifestyle? Share it below or tweet me with the hashtag #BLGWGoals.
❤ BGLW
Last month, I had the chance to connect with writer/creator James Jones about his amazing project “We Are Familia”. As a writer myself, I was really excited to connect with the creator of the show and get his insight, inspiration and story.
What is “WE ARE FAMILIA”?
In the style of A Different World and East Los High, “We are Familia” details the untold story of Latino students at historically Black colleges. One of the few television shows featuring the stories of Black Latino characters, “We are Familia” is set to expand our thoughts on race, ethnicity and culture.
Besides Romeo from The Steve Harvey Show, I don’t remember seeing many Afro-Latino characters on my television screen growing up.
Yes! Excitement feels my heart. Finally.
Summary:
The Inspiration
Talking with Writer James Jones, I was curious about his inspiration for the show. He wanted to explore the side of HBCUs that had not been touched on media. Jones brought out the example of A Different World and how there were characters of Latino descent. That got him thinking: What about the stories of Latino characters in this space? It’s an important question as we explore the relations between Latino/Black/Afro-Latino communities.
James Jones’s learned about the diaspora by chance in his ROTC group in grade school. He noticed certain students were being promoted to superior cadet and which according to Jones “largely had to do with them being bilingual”. One student who received the scholarship that Jones had known for many years was a Black young woman with the last name “McDonald”. Jones was surprised to learn that she was Panamanian and there was a community of students who identified as both Black and Latino in his school.
Why now?
It’s obvious why a television show like this is needed. Jones noted that images of Latinidad on television very seldom include Black people. I agree and by supporting this show we can place more of the stories that matter on screen. Let’s be real. The images that we see on screen provide knowledge about the world and projects like this reflect diverse experiences. I am stoked to see this take fold!
The Advice
Jones gave some great advice about writing for film and getting your work out there!
1. Get internships in the industry. If you want to work in the industry, get a job in the industry.
2. Keep a blog because you never know who is looking at you.
3. Submit to agents! Name Recognition is your friend. The more they see your name, the more likely they are to look at your work.
4. Take a writing class! You don’t need to get a degree in Film but you do need to hone your craft.
5. Become a script reader.
6. Work on multiple projects. If you submit something have another project that you are working on!
Check out this Social Media Skit by the We Are Familia Supporters!
This hilarious skit was created by supporters of the show for the social media fundraising campaign. Although it is not a preview for the show, it diffidently gets me pumped for “We are Familia”.
This skit reminded me of my experience growing up in Houston, Texas. In a few minutes, they touch on key issues between Black and Brown communities like who owns certain hairstyles, intercultural dating and diversity within communities. I liked the line “I’m China Latina” because not many people know about Latino communities of Asian descent. It’s awesome how a cute, funny and short skit can share a story in a creative way!
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Check out the gofundme page and contribute to the making this show happen! More info on: http://www.gofundme.com/wearefamilia
I would like to thank James Jones for talking with Black Girl, Latin World and offering advice on the film industry. I know we will see this project on screen soon!
Black Girl, Latin World 