Let’s start with the obvious. Irma Herrera is not an actor, and I don’t mean this in a negative way. She’s a “writer, solo performer, social justice activista, lawyer, and world traveler.” That’s how she introduces and identifies herself on …

00054: WHY WOULD I MISPRONOUNCE MY OWN NAME? Read more »

A few days ago I attended the production of MEXODUS, a new hip-hop play by Brian Quijada. This new production took place at Berkeley Rep in Berkeley, CA.   I was excited to see this production for two reasons, three really. …

00052-MEXODUS Read more »

While my show Alicia from the Real in Wonderland was being produced at Contra Costa College, the place where I worked as a full-time theatre faculty and Chair of the Drama Department, the president of the college approached me and …

00046: WINTERLAND Read more »

A while ago, during a work meeting, the dean mentioned that perhaps we needed to produce a play that would cater to young people. “Sure!” Everyone said with enthusiasm as they looked at me for a more concrete answer. “I …

00044: ALICIA FROM THE REAL IN WONDERLAND Read more »

That’s right! After a six-month absence, the director and I are reuniting to make sure the production of INTRODUCING MODERNA SUSPIROS: A Fable Based on True Event… We Think takes place. Yes, it has been a long way coming and lots of …

00042: WE’RE BAAAAACK! Read more »

We had a costume fitting just a couple of weeks ago. The the fitting also included shoes, of course. It has taken me a while to post about this matter because the fitting, although exciting, was also a little bit …

00040: SHOES! COSTUMES! AND MAKEUP! OH MY! Read more »

Besides going to Italia to investigate Commedia dell’arte matters, I also have to do two more things during my sabbatical. Both are in relation to Commedia, of course. I must create a Commedia dell’arte class to become part of our …

0008: COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE CALIFORNIA Read more »

You would think that for someone who doesn’t like the cold, going to Venice at the top of February should be a big ‘no-no.’ The reality is that when I started thinking of Venice as part of my sabbatical, I …

0006: WHETHER THE WEATHER Read more »

I’ve arrived in Wooster, OH as planned. In the next two days, I will be giving a workshop on “solo performance” and preparing for the staged reading.  The artistic director of Teatro Travieso is also a full-time faculty at The …

0003: THE PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Read more »

I’m four years behind this post. And if you want to know why, I ask you to read the entry titled, “000 29: Intentions,” where I explained what happened regarding this event. So, what I’m recalling now is from memory …

00032: International Dublin Gay Festival Read more »

Throughout the years, I have set up many intentions, plans, goals, yet many of my desires have ended right at the beginning: at the intention, at the plan, at the wish. This has happened for many reasons; some intentions are …

00029: Intentions Read more »