Page 19 - SEMBLANZA MARZO 2024

To: Montserrat Piera,
Chair, Department of Spanish & Portuguese
CC: CLA Dean’s Office

Re: A proposal for a virtual lecture and performance by Conchi León

I would like to organize a virtual lecture and theatrical performance by renowned Mexican
th
dramaturg, actor, and activist, Conchi León for Wednesday, February 24 , 2021, from
5:30-7:30 pm. Given the uncertainties that lie ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and
recognizing that Mérida, Yucatán is often impacted by hurricanes and other inclement
weather situations, this date may need to be adjusted. It is my sincerest hope, however,
that we will have no issues.

Conchi León’s credits as a dramaturg include Mestiza Power, Cachorro de León, La Espera,
De Manantial del corazón, De coraza, Las mujeres de Zapata, and more. For this final
piece, which is her most recent work, she was entrusted with also directing its
performance for Mexico’s National Theatre Company. She has served on numerous panels
as a judge of emerging and established theatre talent and herself has been awarded
prestigious prizes such as Mexico’s Secretary of Culture’s fellowship for young creators.
Beyond her writings, León is also an activist in her home state, working tirelessly to raise
the profile and appreciation of Maya communities. Her theatre company, Sa’as Tun, is an
example of bridging community activism with performatic arts. Moreover, León has
brought her talents to Mexico’s penitentiaries, working with incarcerated men and
women to help them craft their stories. Her critically acclaimed piece, La Espera, as
performed by Compañía Penitenciario, is a prime example of the ways in which theatre
can dramatically alter stereotypes of crime and criminalized bodies.

The above-mentioned works are indicators of León’s unique style, one that is
representative of what is known in theatre studies as “documentary theatre.” Her works
depart from the stories of others, intertwining their voices with news clippings, archival
sources, and her own personal histories to craft rich dramatic writings. As a means of
showcasing the importance of León’s contributions to theatre, I have been invited to
contribute an encyclopedia entry on her for the Routledge series, 50 Key Latin American
and Latinx Theatre Artists, edited by Paola S. Hernández and Analola Santana. I am also
including her work in my Spring 2021 graduate seminar. To complement our intellectual
approximation, I would like my students, as well as any other Spanish & Portuguese
faculty and students, to virtually experience León’s powerful performance of Cachorro de
león. The unipersonal piece, meaning written, directed, and performed by León, is a
testament to family bonds, abuse, and turmoil. Having seen the performance many times
during the pandemic, I can attest to León’s impeccable use of live-stream cameras,
lighting, and microphones to ensure the highest quality possible for a virtual performance.
Moreover, I want to emphasize that a virtual performance is as draining as an in-person