Group of people smiling and pointing at a large event schedule sign at an outdoor festival on a cloudy day.
Students in a busy indoor space, some walking on an upper level, others sitting and talking at tables.
People at a virtual or physical event creating and decorating paper cutouts of reindeer on a large bulletin board.
A diverse group of people seated and reaching out towards performers on a small outdoor stage during a lively evening event.
A group of women on stage, some raising their fists. One woman in front with short hair and a grey blazer is speaking, while another woman with short hair, red necklace, and green dress is standing beside her with her fist raised. A large screen behind them displays a drawing of a tree and the words "EL" and "U".

Socially Engaged Performance Practice

Group of five people sitting in a dark room, illuminated by blue light, with three women and two men, all facing forward, appearing to wait or observe

From devising with refugee youth and staging narratives of resilience with the Colorado Immigration Rights Coalition, Shoebox Stories, the ACLU, and MOTUS Theater to crafting participatory performance projects and workshops that investigate class inequality, gendered violence, and other social issues, I strive to use my voice as a storyteller and professor to serve my community and advocate for social progress. I believe artists should employ our crafts to support and celebrate the communities in which we exist.

Socially Engaged Performance Projects

  • Group of people gathered around a large display board where paper dolls are hanging. One woman attaches the piece she designed to other pieces. They are in an outdoor evening event decorated with string lights.

    "Binary Trappings: an Immersive Experience" (2023), produced in partnership with the CSUF Alumni Association, the Department of Theatre & Dance, and the LGBTQ+ Student Support Center

  • Five women standing together outdoors at a festive event, wearing masks with colorful decorative banners and booths in the background.

    "Performing Arts as Emancipatory Practice" at the first annual Hispanic Theatre Festival (2022), partnership with El Grupo de Teatro en Español and CSU Fullerton's College of the Humanities

  • Group of UndocuMonologues performers stands together, smiling and laughing at the ACLU 100 National Tour event, with a blue backdrop that reads 'Families Belong Together'.

    UndocuAmerica (2019) produced in partnership with the ACLU's National 100 Tour, Colorado Immigration Rights Coalition, and Motus Theater

  • Poster for the Cinco Décimas performance series with dates April 13, April 19, and April 21 at Auraria campus, featuring details about the event and sponsors, including Community College of Denver and Community College of Denver Theatre Arts.

    Cinco Decimas (2018), produced in partnership with the Community College of Denver Foundation and Su Teatro

  • A group of seven people performing on stage, with one playing the cello and the others reaching towards the audience and each other, during a theatrical event titled "Playback THEATRE with CU Boulder’s Playback Ensemble" held from January 8-11, 2020.

    Playback: A Critical Conversations Project (2018–20), produced in partnership with the North Folk Valley Creative Coalition

  • Flyer for an arts intervention event titled 'It Happens Here,' discussing interpersonal violence in the community. The event takes place on February 1st from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at The Tivoli Garage Lounge. Contact information for support is provided from The Phoenix Center, University of Colorado Denver, Community College Denver, and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

    Campus Assault: It Happens Here (2017–18), produced in partnership with The Blue Bench, The Phoenix Center at Auraria, the University of Colorado Denver, and the Community College of Denver

  • Poster for a theater event celebrating 50 years of Community College of Denver, titled "Our History Shapes Our Future." The event features performances including 'Cinco Décimas,' 'Just Like Us,' and a choir performance, with details about the date, time, location, ticket prices, and sponsors.

    Our History Shapes Our Future (2018), produced in partnership with playwright Karen Zacarias and Su Teatro

  • A handwritten student worksheet titled 'One Voice Project Final Self Evaluation' with a question asking if the project changed the person, marked 'Yes' with an answer explaining how the project influenced their understanding of bullying. The response comments on learning how much bullying affects others and how they no longer bully. Additional answer discusses the best part of the project being working on the play and collaborating with others.

    The One Voice Project (2013–14), created in partnership with Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Newman Center for Performing Arts

  • Two women high-fiving each other during a celebration or event. One woman has red hair, glasses, and a blue shirt, and the other woman has curly black hair, glasses, and a dark green shirt with white polka dots. In the background, a man in a maroon shirt stands near a brick wall.

    Consent Education: Onstage and in Sex Ed (2019–20), produced in partnership with Denver Public School District's CityWide Program and University of Colorado Boulder's Office of Engagement

  • Four people in a room smiling, waving, and striking playful poses while standing on one leg. They are in a large, open indoor space with chairs and an exit sign in the background.

    Rush Hour: RACEing Across Campus (2019), produced in partnership with University of Colorado's Diversity and inclusion Summit

  • “Understanding cultural differences and how to interact with people who come from different backgrounds is a skill of vast importance. Thank you for your expertise and helping our teams prepare to travel abroad!”

    — Zayna P.
    President, University of Colorado Engineers Without Borders

  • "There was this moment when I looked at what I was creating and realized I was just repeating what I’d been thought. This project helped me see that and start over and think for myself about my gender.”

    —Charlie R.

    Binary Trappings participant, Cal State Fullerton

  • "Given the recent strife and tribalism that’s pervaded our community, I was floored by the empathy and dialogue that we shared annd how it came so easily after your Play back performances. This was a first step to healing for us.”

    –Annmarie

    Playback: A Critical Conversations Project participant, North Forlk Valley Creative Coalition