Early November 2024 was a busy time for Latine Theatre makers and scholars and just lovers of Teatro in Los Angeles. The Latino Theatre Co. at The Los Angeles Theatre Center (LATC) was buzzing due to their third Encuentro and this Encuentro came with 2 convenings. The first was held from October 30th to November 2nd for the Latinx Theatre Commons (LTC) and the following weekend of November 7th to the 9th the National Latino Theatre Initiative (NLTI) gathered. In between these two gatherings, a not-so-secret meeting occurred between a small group, called Teatros Unidos.

I questioned myself as I read through the short film submission guidelines. The film is about 2 minutes shot from your phone on the very generic theme of “kindness” but you could win $1,000. I’m a freelancer and work for myself so it sounded like quick and easy money. The only problem was I really, really, really wanted it to be about my grandfather, Rafael Ruiz. 

On July, The Observer published an article “The Case for Funding Theater to Advance Social Justice: American theater needs new approaches to funding to realize its potential as a tool for social justice and community learning.” Written by Lane Sugata- and guess what? It mentions us! A small mention, sure. But none the less, we think it’s an important piece and wanted to share with you all.

For many years now Alex and myself have had a dream of creating a documentary to capture the legacies of our Teatro veteranos and the journeys of teatristas across generations… and finally after years of talking and talking and oh my god- so much talking, we finally said “Action” and started the damned thing.

Earlier this week Maya and Alex actually saw each other in person - A thing that had far more of an impact than we give credit to. We see each other every day on Zoom or Facetime and even though we connect like crazy, being together hits different in a way that makes it possible for some magic things to happen.

We sat down drafting out programming plans for the next TWO AND A HALF YEARS! Sounds basic to you? HA!

This was a herculean feat.

Studio Luna has always been a home for developing new single author work. Saturday June 8th was an exciting day at the Studio, starting bright and early. We gathered a group of Latinas to explore a new project for our dear friend and colleague, Cristina Fernandez. 

This blog is a collaboration. It's a collaboration that is mostly easy and feels like your favorite pajamas because it’s been worn in, and you know, seemingly every inch of it out of the familiarity that is only bred over years and years.

But even our favorite pajamas need delicate soap to maintain their integrity. Care is one of the most underrated elements of a good, healthy, sustainable, deep collaboration.

For a company that was known for over 20 years solely as Teatro Luna, and has been working on a re-branding over the last couple years as Studio Luna- we are no strangers to SECOND CHANCES….. And sometimes third chances and maybe fourth chances and well, who’s keeping count anyway?!?