Production of "Once There Was, Once There Was Not"

I believe in the power of storytelling, performance, and mythos. It is how we relate to each other across time and space. It is how we share grief and praise.

Thank you for supporting this campaign as I raise funds for the world-premiere production of "Once There Was, Once There Was Not", an original choreopoem in five acts. Based on stories and themes of the wild woman archetype, as told in Clarissa Pinkola Estes' seminal work "Women Who Run With the Wolves" - a Jungian exploration of intercultural myths, stories, folk and fairy tales. The stories in this play are adapted to characters and settings reflecting the Mexican-American lived experience, but like their original tellings, are relatable to all.

I submitted the play to the San Diego Repertory Latinx New Play Festival in December 2020, and was given enthusiastic feedback from the panel. Unfortunately, the festival was unable to proceed due to budget constraints. The work underwent significant revisions and edits, and had its first read-through in July 2023 (*credits below). The process will continue into an audition cycle and organizing the production team this fall/winter 2023.

Because this play is written to involve multiple guest choreographers, various kinds of puppetry, live music, and other intricate elements, the funds raised here will go towards supporting the constellation of local San Diego artists and collaborators who will contribute their time and labor to mounting the production.

(signs of wear and tear from working closely with this text over 10 years)

The play will be presented outdoors in San Diego County/Kumeyaay Ancestral Territory in 2024, in at least one urban and one rural location. If this funding and production cycle is successful, I would love to translate at least part of the piece and tour it elsewhere, particularly to Mexico (Tijuana, Mexico City, and Oaxaca City).

***My heartfelt gratitude is extended to the folks who helped with the table read & edits: Blanca Espinoza, Amelie Bay, Alex Alpharaoh, Eric Gutierrez, Carla Gallardo, Zack Stillwater, and Mia Dirienzo Olson.