Through artistic pieces, I study ninguneo as a technique of racialization that maintains the social hierarchies in Latin America, where the majority of the population considers itself mestizo. Ninguneo is a social practice that consists of turning somebody into a nobody. As a playwright, I have been involved in the theater sector of Bogotá, Colombia, my homeland. I worked for eight years in the administration office of Teatro Libre, one of the most important and longstanding Colombian theatrical groups. Besides, I was a lecturer at the Dramatic Arts Program of the School of Arts at Universidad Central (Bogotá). In both institutions, I took part in more than twenty productions. Three of my original plays were published in 2018.

Why PS @ NYU?

As I come from a traditional dramatic background, I sensed the need to explore new perspectives to undertake my vocation from a broader perspective. As an Artistic Deputy Director, I faced a significant challenge: the audience was no longer attending our venues. I realized that the Colombian theatrical sector was lamenting about the lack of spectators but was not thinking about its needs and particularities. Thus, I questioned myself about the possibility of performances having a tangible impact on the Colombian population. However, I understood that first, it was necessary to study our performances in everyday life to rethink our conception of art and our society.