Faculty Highlight
Libby Nutt Williams
Annual Colloquium - 2003
Doing and Undoing Women Gender Construction in Global Mediascapes
Hailed by Margo Jefferson of The New York Times as a theatre that "makes theatre matter again," Chicago's first all-Latina performing ensemble, Teatro Luna, co-founded by SMCM alum Coya Paz '97, was formed "for the purpose of exploring las experiences and culture of Latina/Hispana women." Teatro Luna's unique brand of Latina performance has helped change the alternative theatre scene in Chicago and revive the spirit of Latino theatrical experimentation in the city. Company members, all of whom share Latin or Hispanic heritages, perform in the cross-cultural style of "Spanglish," a speech that combines Spanish and English.
In their performance, Generic Latina, company members will propose that "there is no 'generic' Latina," despite media attempts to homogenize identities within Latina culture. Based on company members' own experiences as Latina/Hispana women, and dispensed in "probaditas," or "little tastes" (cabaret-like sketches), Generic Latina captures the diversity that lies within Latina culture.
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