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In 2019, I got proposed by Kirsten Wilson, Artistic Director of Motus Theater with request to collaborate with “UndocuMonologues” project series in 2019.

The mission of Motus Theater is to create original theater to facilitate dialogue on critical issues of our time. We aim to use the power of art to build alliances across diverse segments of our community.

Storytelling is at the heart of what makes us human. We focus on bringing marginalized voices or silenced histories to the stage.  We support inclusion by expanding our audiences’ experiences of the variety of stories that make up our country. By using theater to learn and listen across the gaps of difference we weave tighter, stronger and more connected communities. We hope you will gather around the fire with us: share your stories and learn new ones.

The collaboration was a moving experience. I got the opportunity to listen to the powerful first person narratives of 10 undocumented recipients and pair three of my art pieces with each monologue, submitting total of 31 artworks. During final reading event, my artwork pairing was projected large scale on stage alongside live monologue readings.

UndocuMonologues chronicles evening of powerful monologues from the heart. These undocumented leaders courageously tell their stories, representing the pain, struggles, and resilience of so many undocumented Americans.

Story themes include the threat of deportation; the injustice of being sent into exile from the country in which you were raised; border patrol; the current human and civil rights threats to immigrants; racial profiling.

As a DACA recipient myself, I found myself relating to and resonating with each shared story of hardship and resilience. I was reminded of how how life felt like, feels like on both sides of the fence, and how far I have come since having come out publicly with my DACA status. Storytelling can be such a powerful and inspirational medium. Thank you Kirsten and Laura for Motus collaboration and for the work you do to help enlighten community!