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Reviews

FROM: OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Stephanie Damaris Narvaez -  Absolutely loved the show! I teared up twice and laughed so hard! Best performance ever! It was extremely inspiring and made me even prouder to be latina! Thank you so much for coming!!

Doris Icelys Conner Outstanding performance and stories. Everyone can relate to the stories at one level or another.

Sandra Del Pilar Yo Soy Latina! presentation at Penn State was wonderful. I truly enjoyed it and I wish my daughter gets a chance to see this some day.

Emotional, comical and moving! 
On behalf of Colgate University and the Latin American Student Organization, I would like to thank the cast of Latino Flavored Productions, Inc. for a magnificent performance of Yo Soy Latina! on September 24, 2010 at the The Palace Theater in Hamilton, New York. The audience members where entertained, inspired, and thrilled with the stories of Latina women and their search for identify and self in America. Members of LASO enjoyed having dinner with Jenny and the cast before the show and got a chance to get to know the actresses and learn more about their work. Yo Soy Latina! was the perfect piece to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Colgate students and staff found the show emotional, comical, and moving. They couldn't get enough.  We look forward to keeping in touch with you and supporting Latino Flavored Productions, Inc. 

Wednesday, October 12, 2010
Ana @ Colgate University


Inspiring!
I absolutely fell in love with your play: PINK! u performed today @ Springfield Technical Community College. I would like to say thank you for coming even though it was raining. Your story has inspired me and those who were at the theatre today and i am certain that it will continue to inspire globally. On a personal note: it is true Latinos and African Americans don\\\'t really have a voice when it comes to cancer because of fear... And... coming from a culture where things are taboo (lol) i think it is especially important to raise an awareness specially aimed for this public. AGAIN THANK YOU for sharing your story Sincerely, Yissel

Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Yissel in Springfield Mass

Incredibly talented!
The performance was AHHHMAZING!! What a beautiful piece! You have such a powerful, beautiful heart for all that to come out. I’ve attached the feedback we received from the audience for you to review. The students absolutely loved it and the performers were so incredibly talented. Mil gracias hermana! Marisela Martinez Director, Office of Intercultural Affairs Agnes Scott College

Sunday, September 21, 2008
Marisela Martinez
"Dancing in the Mirror"
I am a student at Grand Valley State U and member of the Latino Student Union. I recently saw Soul Latina: Dancing in the Mirror. I loved the presentation! These women have amazing talent! I was truly impressed to see Latinas and our culture represented. I feel so proud to be Latina and know now more than ever that Latinas can make it in this generation and the next.

Thursday, September 6, 2007
Mariana
Pensacola Show!
Thanks again for bringing your message to Pensacola. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the play, and I had a long conversation about it yesterday with someone who attended. I especially was impressed with the numbers of mothers who brought their children. It must be incredibly rewarding for you to see the impact of your words.

Friday, May 11, 2007
Keith Goldsmith
Show at Northwestern!
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Yo Soy Latina when it came to Northwestern University this past Sunday. I am not latina, I am actually about as white as they come as an Irish and German woman, but I felt an identification with these characters nonetheless. While the play is about being a latina, I think it is also just inherently about being a woman who is proud of who she is, and that spoke to me. I would just like to thank you for putting such a wonderful production out there. It is a play that is important for any woman to see, and I am glad I had the opportunity to be a part of it as an audience member.

Friday, May 11, 2007
Sara Ryan
Show at Northwestern!
Linda Words can not express how much your show touched me. I'm jokingly known to my friends as heartless because I have never cried at a movie or play or anything, that is until tonight when I say Yo Soy Latina. I am half Colombian, half White and 100% Jewish and I live in North Carolina. As if being a Jew in the South weren't difficult enough, I've had to struggle with figuring out who I am and what to call myself. I'm light skinned and have a southern drawl like you wouldn't believe and so I definitely don't come off as the typical latina and often surprise people when I prove I speak Spanish fluently. As a child I never separated my diverse backrounds. Spanish and English were spoken in my home and my family celebrated all of the Jewish holidays and prayed in Hebrew. My father's buñuelos were as common as my mother's barbeque chicken or grandmother's matzo ball soup. It wasn't until I got to high school and even now in college that I felt the pressure to classify myself as one single thing. I've struggled with who I am. Am I latina? Am I white and southern? Am I a Jew? To this day I can't pick just one. Each part of my heritage makes me who I am and plays an equal role in shaping the events in my life. For some reason, this didn't work for my peers and I felt like I had to choose. The problem is I never felt like I fit in. I was always too white for my latina friends and always reminded I was only half latina. It was a bit easier to fit in with my white friends in terms of acceptance but I always felt different, especially when I'd have different food for lunch or my dad would speak in Spanish while my friends were over. To top it all off, there are not many Jews in South America and so both my latino and white friends were shocked when they found out I wasn't Catholic. I could identify with all of the women in your play, but especially the two stories about the light skinned women, Alicia the Colombian actress and (I forgot her first name) O'Brian the half Irish, half Cuban. Even if the characters are fictional, the words, emotions, confusions, and pain were all real. For the first time I felt like someone got me and understood how difficult it can be to fit in with different groups of people. Just because I look a certain way or have a certain kind of accent, or the fact that I'm only half Colombian doesn't make me feel any less latina and I was so happy to hear your play celebrate the different types of latina women. I'm sure praise over your play is nothing new, but I just had to tell you Yo Soy Latina truly touched me and for the first time in my life a play brought me to tears. You channeled emotions deep inside of me and brought them out in strong, confident characters that seriously inspired me and, if nothing else, made me feel better about myself and who I am. Your play is AMAZING and I just wanted to tell you that Sara

Friday, May 11, 2007
Sara
Great!
Just wanted to express how much we enjoyed the actresses and the production of Yo Soy Latina! on the University of Northern Iowa campus. It was one of the few standing ovations I have seen on this campus, impressives esp. during the week before finals. The energy the show galvanized showed me for one small moment that a Latin American Studies program could do very well on this campus, there is support. It was just great. Lots of students opted to write about the show. Two of the most interesting responses I\\\'ll share with you. One came from an Iowa latino who does not speak Spanish, and he said how he knew about hunting, snowstorms and fishing, while those who came from CA/latin America did not. He said he always felt they were the \\\"real Latinos,\\\' but now his opinion has changed. Another white woman from IA wrote that as the actresses closed the show, she wrote \\\"Aswestruck by the reality of thes tories, I felt as if I crawled into a Latina body and experienced first hand what they were talking about. At the end of the evening, in my Latina boyd i proudly stated Yo soy Latina! Just wanted to share that and to thank you and Michelle, Antonia and Lena again. I look forward to working with you again in the future! Best, Gabi Kuenzli

Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Gabi Kuenzli
Touched...
Linda, I really enjoyed your presentation at the teachers conference at Quinnipiac University. You really touched my heart. Dora Vasquez-Hellner

Thursday, December 7, 2006

DePaul Show!
I saw your show "Jose Can Speak" on November 19 and I was very impressed. I am an acting major at The Theatre School at DePaul University and would love to get some more information about your shows and how you go about visiting and performing at colleges.

Monday, November 20, 2006
Arthur

I was at the performance at Cornell University and I really enoyed the way the women and their presentation of struggles Latin women are forced to face. Due to the way society tried to categorize the unfamiliar, Latin women who do not fit the \\\"stereotypical roles\\\" are forced to \\\"prove\\\" themselves. Those of us who have been strong enough to break away from the masses and bring more respect to ALL of us really appreciate this social commentary. This is now the voice for those women who have been silences by hate. I was wondering if you could send me news of other showings of this - hopefully the full version - so that I can take my sister to it. This is something ALL women should see. No matter of race, color or ethnicity. Amo. Iris.

Monday, November 20, 2006
Iris
Brentwood High School Loved it!
Hi Linda, Just wanted to let you know that the show was a success and the audience really enjoyed the play. The actresses did an awesome job! They are the sweetest people. Thank you for everything and I look forward to speaking to you again about bringing another performance to our school. Thanks again! Jackie -- Brentwood H.S. Teacher

Monday, November 6, 2006
Jackie
Great work!
I was thoroughly impressed with your presentation at FIU (Florida International University). As a Caribbean American with a totally mixed ethnicity, I was about to relate to almost all of the characters! I would love for you to come back to Miami, FL and do the full version of your presentation. Good Luck, and keep up the great work!

Thursday, November 2, 2006
Tarrin
LOVED IT!!!!!!!
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IT WAS A GREAT SHOW!!!!!! AND I CAN REALATE MYSELF WITH ALL OF THE CHARACTERS BUT SPECIALLY WITH MARIA ELENA PLAYED BY ANTONIA MARRERO. I AM BLACK BUT I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN COLOMBIA, PEOPLE FREAK OUT WHEN THEY HEAR ME SPEAK SPANISH BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS EXPECT TO HEAR FROM ME JUST ENGLISH AND THEY DON\'T KNOW THAT WE LATINOS SOMOS DE DIFERENTES COLORES Y TEXTURAS Y QUE HAY DE TODO UN POCO EN CADA PAIS LATINO AMERICANO. THANK YOU GUYS FOR THAT GREAT SHOW AND KEEP IT UP ;)

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
GINA ANDRADE
Mind Blowing...
I wanted to say that yesterday here at UCF in Orlando, FL we had the honor of having "Jose Can Speak" performed at our campus. Some words that come to mind after seeing that are: mind blowing, extremely real, honest, blunt, funny as all hell, educational, and from the heart. This would make the 3rd year that here at UCF we have worked with your company, and never did i feel as though it was not werth it! You and your team are so blessed, keep up the great work. And I can not WAIT for the new play to come about. Hopefully you will get that done by next Hispanic Heritage Month!!! One of your fans, Destiny Quinones Sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, INC.

Thursday, October 12, 2006
Destiny
Fabulous!
Linda, The performance was fabulous. All of the students in attendance enjoyed the play very much. This is going to be something that people talk about for a long time. I also teach a class entitled Diversity in Society at one of the local Universities. The style and the power of which the messages were conveyed is something that I could never replicate in a classroom. You definitely made your mark on Central Michigan University and the world! Thank you for sharing Yo Soy Latina! with us! Below are a couple of links to our school newspaper. You made the front page, which is no small feat around here! ~Shawn
http://media.cm-life.com//pages/pdfs/10-04-2006/1A.pdf
www.cm-life.com

Thursday, October 5, 2006
Shawn
I've gained so much more...
I am a student from Central Michigan University where "Yo Soy Latina" has just performed. I just wanted to let you know what an incredible show it was and how moving and amazing the entire cast was. I appreciated the refreshing aura of the production and the way it stared racism and stereo-types in the face with such wit and fearlessness. As an Italian-American living in the United States I can relate to a lot of the things these women were talking about on stage whether it was factual or stereo typical, and it puts me at ease to know I am not the only one that has such strong feelings about the way my culture (or any culture) is talked about and perceived in America today. Not just Latinos, but all races these days I feel are so misunderstood, undermined and unappreciated. I feel that by putting on this production it has really spread the word and gotten through to people, every little bit of effort counts! I attended this production because I am a spanish ! major and was looking forward to gaining more enriching knowledge about the Latin culture, instead I have gained so much more!! Thank you so much!! God Bless You ALL!!

Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Elizabth
Wonderful!
I just recently had the pleasure of bringing the College Version of Yo Soy Latina to Penn State Abington and I just wanted to say THANK YOU Linda, and thank you to the actresses Phoenix, Lina, and Antonia for being so energetic and positive. Your responses were perfect and there were many students who brought their families to see the play and it gave them something to cherish and remember and talk about together. Even students who came of different races were overwhelmed with the familiarity of how it felt growing up different. I can't wait to bring you guys (oops women :-) back again!!!!!!

Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Cindy
Thank you!
Hello, I wanted to say thank you so much for having brought Yo Soy Latina to the VCU campus. Everyone that came really enjoyed it, and I know personally it hit home. I laughed, wanted to cry and was just amazed. I hope to be able to do more work with you in the future. The performers were amazing women as well. I enjoyed their company. Once again Thank you so much. Jennifer V.

Monday, April 3, 2006
Jennifer
Truly Inspiring
Hello I'm a student at William Paterson University and I've had the honor of watching both Yo Soy Latina and Soul Latina. I really love Yo Soy Latina, I couldn't help but cry and laugh during the whole thing! Soul Latina was also great! I would just like to tell you all that you do a great job and you all are truly inspring. You not only open the eyes of those that aren't Latinas but of us Latinas too. Your shows help us understand our mothers and grandmothers a little better and even ourselves. Its not the same to look in after always looking out. Thanks! Take Care and Best Wishes to all! Paulaska R.

Monday, January 9, 2006
Paulaska
Gracias!
A quien pueda interesar: Mi nombre es Virginia, soy estudiante del colegio STCC, a donde unas jovenes de ustedes vinieron a visitarnos y las quales presentaron muy bien el monologo YO Soy Latina. Solo queria dar las grasias a todos ustedes por la labor tan hermosa que han realisado, un particular gracias a Linda Nieves-Powell, directora. Que el Senor las sigan bendiciendo ricamente a todos por igual. A la verdad me ha hecho mucho reflexinar acerca de mis raices. Me goce muchissimo el monologo, estuvo divino. Grasia con todo mi corazon, no tengo muchas palabras para describir lo bien que lo pase. Suerte a todas en sus carreras. Dios las siga bendiciendo. Hasta luego, con mucho carino, Virginia Pagan

Monday, October 3, 2005
Virginia
Thank you!
I went to see the college version of Yo Soy Latina tonight and it was absolutely amazing. I\'m not latina but I saw myself in each of the characters. It made me proud to be me. I just want to thank-you for the message.

Monday, October 3, 2005
Deandria Hardy
Thank you!
I absolutely loved your recent performance at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and just had to ask if you all sell a video/dvd/cd version of the performance!! I want to share it with everyone I know!! Thanks for helping a fellow Latina deal with life and all it throws our way! I left with a new found confidence and strength. Much Love!

Monday, October 3, 2005
Nathaly Perez
thank you
Thank you soooo much for the wonderful play you performed at Springfield Technical Community College on Sept. 30, 2005. It was a joy to bring along my 20 yr old daughter. My only regret is that I didn't bring along my friends that I have met through my husband. Although I love them dearly, I have always thought that they would not be my friends if it weren't for my husband (with the exception on two of them). You see, I am a latina 100% and I married "un Americano". I am very fair skinned, have a great job, and attend college. When my friends first met me, I always heard "But you don't look or act Spanish." I always replied, "What am I supposed to look like or act like?" I am so tired of people stereotyping us. There's bad in every race. I would've loved to bring those so called friends along. Your show really makes people think twice about us Latina women. We ARE somebody. We have the same, if not better, morals and beliefs as anyone else. But how come we are always treated differently? This is a real eye opener for non-Latino, non-African American women. Please, come again to our school. I will bring as many friends as I can, just so that they can understand where we come from and learn about our cultures and beliefs. Thank you for inspiring my daughter and I.

Saturday, October 1, 2005
nancy
Dartmouth Show
Hi Linda Please extend sincere thanks from the sponsors and myself to Lina, Samatha and Mercedes for the wonderful job they did on Friday July 29th at Dartmouth. I am sure you know the house was full to overflowing and they got a standing ovation. Although they had a horrendous journey and arrived just in the nick of time they were true professionals and went on undauted. Special personal thanks from me to them and to you for all your help. Keep us on the mailing list so that we know whats happening at your end. Isabel/Darmouth College

Thursday, August 11, 2005
Isabel
Sacremento Show!
First off, THANK-YOU!!! I came across the production of Yo Soy Latina a week ago when you guys came to Sacramento CA and presented it to the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project in California State University, Sacramento. The play was witty, funny, empowering, and extremely inspirational. Being a mexican teenager has been hard at times when racial comments seem to blind people on how beautiful being Latina and/or Chicano can be. You guys did a wonderful job in portraying thousands of woman who might feel the same way as me. Continue doing what your doing because more people need to know about our culture and get inspired like I have. Thanks for everyone who came and took the time to come out to the leadership project. Sincerely Cinthya Luis, San Diego, CA

Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Cinthya

Congratulations on the AWARD! I couldn't agree with them even more! Your show is inspiring and I have never come across anything more life altering for myself and others than your show! You and your cast are great!! Congrats!! Sincerely Jennifer Nunez Lambda Pi Chi Sorority UNC-Chapel HIll

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Soul Latina at DePaul!
I just wanted to let you know that the show as a success!! It was great, we had a full house of over 300 people!! The women were incredible, and I had so much fun talking with them, and having dinner with them. I've been hearing nothing but great things about the show all around campus. People keep coming up to me and telling me how great the show was, and how they woud love to see the show again!! With that, I want to say THANK YOU!!!! I can't wait for next year to come! My brain is already going! I definitely would like to bring Jose Can Speak! So be on the lookout sometime over the summer for my e-mails regarding that program! Again, thank you for your help. It was a PLEASURE working with you.

Saturday, May 7, 2005
Jesse Vasquez
Loved your show!
Hi, My name is Rosie Garcia, a student at Alfred University, a proud El Salvadorian! Borne in America with parents from El Salvador! I just liked to say I loooooooveddd your play! The actresses did a fab-o-lous job, they practically had me in tears! I loved how you had 6 different representations of Latina community. Many of my fellow colleagues identity with the play and left with a new found sense of identity. My two best friends are both black and I thought it was nice how the narrator mentioned it in the play, only that I'm not friends with them because I'm confuse or ashamed of my culture. In our school we have an issue with diversity, especially among the Latino community. Thank you for making a huge exclamation point that no matter what type of Latino you are, if you have even a drop of it in your blood, embrace it. There just so many things that had me in awe. Again thank you for this opportunity and it truly impact my life. This play will be something I shall always remember! Sincerely, Rosie Garcia

Monday, March 28, 2005
Rosie Garcia
yo soy latina!
The show hit the spot. I am not Latin at all but I felt every word that was said on stage. I am a black male who dates a dominican women. Thank you for the opportunity!

Wednesday, March 23, 2005
travis swan
YO SOY LATINA!
Here is what I thought about the show "I am not Latina but I related to everything they said." Being Afro-Caribbean (US term) I use to be thought of as Black American which I thought of as an insult because of the negative stereotypes that went along with a Black American Woman.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
Thank you so much for bringing Yo Soy Latina. This wonderful and exceptional theater performance brought up and named some of the core issues that Latinas struggle with but are rarely talked about in such a constructive, eye-opening and inspiring way. We were all moved deeply!

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT SHOW
YO SOY LATINA!
I absolutely loved the show, thank you for getting it to MIT. At first I was only considering going, but afterwards I was very, very glad that I attended the show. It made a really deep impact on me because I could relate to two of the stories presented by the actresses, one of them especially (the section on racism) touched me so deeply that it brought tears to my eyes. I know this is true for other people that watched the show that night as well because we spoke afterwards. These emotions didn't arise from sadness, I think more from realizing that these experiences which alter your life so much are not experienced by only you...that there are other individuals out there, who look like you and speak like you, feel exactly the same way you do was comforting. Being at MIT, we become so consumed with work that we forget or decide to put aside these issues that we constantly face as Latinas. Just recently I saw the movie "Latinas at MIT" which I believe had a similar affect, but on a more academic level specific to being a student here @ MIT in that it was inspiring to see that even though we may not have arrived to MIT at the same level as some of the students from other ethnicities, we can still succeed here. To have viewed both brought this sense of relief and appreciation for my culture that I believe we need every once in a while in order to escape from this exclusive world at MIT that we create individually once we get involved in our Psets and general studies.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
Thank you so much for inviting me to see "Yo Soy Latina." The production values and the content of the play were incredible! As a retired professional actress (AEA, SAG, AFTRA) this play was the first thing since retirement that made me want to tread the boards at least one more time! Furthermore, it gave me insight into a part of life I don't normally have access to. That alone, the increase in my understanding of diversity, made the experience priceless. Please continue to bring productions like this to MIT. I can't wait to see the next event you produce.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
Out of the many events that have been brought to MIT, it is rare that there is an event catered to me in any way. Without trying to sound horrible in any way, I felt this play had been brought to MIT just for me. I laughed and I cried. I was totally floored by the way this play encapsulated all the hardships and feelings i have undergone as a strong latina woman. Thanks for bringing this to MIT. I might have missed the opportunity to see this play otherwise.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
I really enjoyed Yo Soy Latina. I am actually African American, yet I could really relate to all of the women in the play. I felt that cultural divisions the latina women held were also present in the African American community. We are all from so many different places,but we are all called Black. I also am very passionate about my family,and I cried on the part about abuelas. I loved the play, I learned alot about the latina culture, and would really like to see more cultural plays come to MIT in the future.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
Yo Soy Latina was truly a marvelous experience. As a Puerto Rican man growing up in a family of strong latina women, I could really associate with what the women in Yo Soy Latina were expressing. It was a fantastic show, and I hope that MIT will bring more shows like this to campus.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
I am a sophomore international (male) student coming directly from Mexico City. Although my original ethnicity is Chinese, I strongly identify myself as a Mexican. The play was, in one word, beautiful. It gave me the opportunity to understand the different facets of the different Latino identities in America. But it was specially cathartic for me because it addresses the always conflicting issue of trans-cultural identities, something I experience in a daily life basis, both from being Mexican-Chinese, and also from being homosexual. Therefore, I think that the value of the play goes beyond the explicit topic of Latino women in America; moreover, it is the universal voice of many of us who do not belong to the standard paradigms and are striving to search for an identity. Thanks for bringing "Yo Soy latina" to MIT.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
I really have to say that YSL was an awesome experience for me. It brought out many realities (good and bad) about being latina to me. It made me feel special about being latina in the United States. I think it also helped me understand even more other latinas that were brought up in this country. Every woman that considers herself Latina should see this so she can feel this special too!

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
I think "Yo Soy Latina" covered a wide range of personalities within the Latina American experience. I appreciated that the writer was not afraid to allude to topics considered taboo. Finally, this play was a great way to spend my Saturday night- it was both entertaining and educational. I feel YSL was a positive step in uniting the underrepresented minority community at MIT. Thank you and all the others who made YSL happen here.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
Thank YOU for inviting me to be a part of such a wonderful event. I knew it was going to be good, but I didn't know it was going to be THAT good! My roommate loved it also. As a Colombian born I identified with a lot of issues touched in the play. It was funny and it was sad. It was very realistic. Colombians do think they are the most beautiful women of Latin America, and believe me, I think it is true, not because of me, but because the most beautiful women I have seen in my entire life are Colombians. Really, they are gorgeous. You should come with me to Colombia someday and you will understand what I mean. When I was growing up in my little town up in the Andean mountains, there was only one black family and of course we all thought they were really strange, and I don't think it was because we were racist, but because they looked different from all of us. You know, we were the "norm" and they didn't look like any of us. Blacks usually settle their homes on the north and west coast cities, not in the mountains, and so that's why that was strange to us. Even now days the black population in my town is very minimal, but I believe that they are not discriminated against. Thanks so much once again.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
YO SOY LATINA!
Thank you for 'Yo Soy Latina'. I thought it was wonderful and I truly appreciate the role you played in bringing it to MIT. Thanks and God Bless. - Nigerian-American male.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005
MIT Show
William Paterson Show
Let me also add my deepest appreciation of all the work that went into making Yo Soy Latina into a truly professional, first rate night at the theatre. The acting was magnificent and bodes very well indeed for the future success of our people in the arts. Again, I felt as if I were in a Broadway house!!

Wednesday, March 9, 2005
Alberto
William Paterson Show
I just saw your show last night and it was the best two hours that I spent on campus. My only regret is that I did not bring in my two daughters. Please consider bringing your play back to Wm Paterson University. I promise you that instead of one person with me, there will be twelve. Oh, and your Abuelita part made me cry like a baby, because this Nuyorican did the same thing when my Abuelita tried to teach how to make Patelles. Againk Kudos to you and thank you for enlightening the Latina.

Wednesday, March 9, 2005
Christina
William Paterson Show
The overall goal I had for the event was achieved to bring together so many members of our internal and external community and share a wonderful show together. My sincerest thanks to Linda Nieves-Powell the writer, producer and director of the show who also stepped in as one of the actors last night. (The show must go on!) Her enthusiasm, artistry and overall sense of the community shined through the performance. I also want to thank her publicly for introducing the option for one of our students to join the cast last night, Sabrina Pagan, who truly represented us well. These opportunities are unique and often change the lives of students.

Wednesday, March 9, 2005
Francisco
I was thrilled!
I was touched two years ago when I found the Yo Soy Latina monologue online and read it for the first time. When I found out that the Office of Multicultural Affairs was bringing the College Version to the campus, I was thrilled! I loved every minute of the performance…These women brought to life six diverse women who had one thing in common.... they were all proud to be LATINA! As a young African American female, I was touched by the portrayal of six strong women of color who embraced everything that being a woman of color stood for. I was able to identify with each one of the characters in some way, shape or form. I also had the wonderful opportunity to talk to these three women after their performance and saw that each of them brought some of themselves to these characters. I highly recommend this play to anyone because it has a message that will touch everyone. I look forward to seeing many great things from these ladies who are fulfilling one of life's most important purposes, educating the world and showing people how great it is to be proud of your own rich and diverse culture whatever it is.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Jessica - College of William and Mary

Thank you SOOOO much for coming to the George Washington University and performing for us. Race, and just the way we seem to treat each other in this country, has been a big deal for me for a long time. We grow up, most of us do, so isolated originally in our own environments; with no need or opportunity to interact with people of other cultures, or races, or sometimes even political outlooks, that when we do we aren't sure of how to act. Culturally, I think all people have a tendency to associate with what they know as comfortable and normal, and the initial reaction to something new is a sense of apprehension or wary. The problem is, a lot of people don't really take that step to grow out of themselves and into the community that surrounds them. Lots of people simply want to stay in their fetal-like lives, never leaving the comfort of their one view, myopic wombs. The TV says beautiful is this, and the news reports say that bad people have this skin color, or wear those clothes, and most people just don't have the energy to do anything except believe that crap. The outlets and opportunities to really accept and learn about other cultures are very hard to get to given who you are and where you might be, and also are made out to be very scary. I know people who are absolutely paralyzed by the thought of having to think about things outside of themselves-outside the way they normally do. They see no incentive to go and challenge how they think, nor do they see anyone who would care if they did. I sincerely believe that your show is one of the true pieces of art that will help bridge gaps like these. You simultaneously present an honest and open view of how you see things, and how you see others seeing yourself. Your show is like an open hand and jacket across a puddle, waiting to help someone across and it’s like a little push to get people going. I was deeply touched by your performance, and I am sure that I cannot begin to imagine what this would mean to a Latina woman.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Frank - George Washington University

I just wanted to let you know that the girls did an AMAZING job. Everyone absolutely LOVED the play. I cannot tell you how many people have asked if we are going to bring them back. Your play has the ability to touch so many people, as I'm sure you already know. Even though I had seen the play before I enjoyed it and felt that since of pride after the play like I did the first time I saw it. I just wanted to let you know that we were very pleased and the girls were so nice. The audience loved them!

Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Lisa - University of North Texas

On behalf of my self and all the Sisters of Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority at the University of Colorado at Boulder, I extend our appreciation and gratitude for taking time out of your busy schedules to join us all the way in Boulder, Colorado. Your performance and presence FAR exceeded any expectations. We are simply thrilled to have met each and every one of you. I would only hope that the feelings are reciprocated, and you too feel the same about your short but valued trip to Colorado. Your performance on our campus has been a long time coming…On our campus out of 25,000 enrolled students at the most 200 self-identify as Latina or Chicana thus making it seem as though we simply do not exist. But you gave a voice and a face to our stories and experiences, it was a reminder to all who did not realize that we do exist! Not only did you remind the few present “white” sheltered, wealthy people (90% of CU) that we do exist and we are doing great things, but you also touched on issues that hit a little closer to home. Currently on this campus there is heated tension between the Chicana (Xicana) and Latinas. Issues such as, “you’re not Chicana enough because you are in a sorority”, or “you are not politically active/radical enough”. If you are not in Raza Womyn you are not Mexicana/Chicana enough, you get the point. It is crazy because to have only 200 of us on a campus such as ours, and to have strife and tension we are only taking ourselves down. There is so much talk amongst the under-represented communities on this campus about the “white” conservative males in positions of power, trying to take out all the “minorities” and what not on. When the truth is, if we don’t change our mentality and way of viewing each other, we are going to take each other out without the help of anyone else. However, Monday night I was very pleased to see many women present that needed to be there, and needed to hear what was said. Perhaps, and this is my hope, that your performance will be the first step in the coming together as a community and allow the healing process to begin on this campus and in our community. YO SOY LATINA hit on many issues that are prevalent in my life as a Latina, and made me rethink what is a Latina, what does being Latina mean to me, and the ways that I self identify as a Latina. I’m the Latina who has my father’s German last name and does not speak Spanish. Yet, I am a Latina, and too often I have felt that I have to prove my “latinaNESS” or I’m not Latina Enough, all aiding in the personal identity struggle. But one thing is certain after Monday night. I learned that we all have a story, we all have a history and diverse experiences that make us Latina. I do not have to prove being a Latina, just take MY story and MY experiences for what they are and know that I am a Latina. Thank you all for a very empowering performance.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Renae - University of Colorado at Boulder

 

  • Sandra Del Pilar Yo Soy Latina! presentation at Penn State was wonderful. I truly enjoyed it and I wish my daughter gets a chance to see this some day.
    Friday at 9:51pm ·  ·  1 person · 
  • Doris Icelys Conner Outstanding performance and stories. Everyone can relate to the stories at one level or another.
    Friday at 9:52pm ·  ·  1 person · 
  • Stephanie Damaris Narvaez Absolutely loved the show! I teared up twice and laughed so hard! Best performance ever! It was extremely inspiring and made me even prouder to be latina! Thank you so much for coming!!