Moving Blog

Please follow my blog at www.nundeya.com I will continue to post information, pictures and updates on my website.

Opehqueh

Last week we started the project at Junior Theatre in Balboa. We had a small class but it's the perfect size for the project. To see what we did in class please go to:

http://opehqueh.wordpress.com/ and check out our students blog.

Today was a nice second class, we had two students missing but two more students added the class. I'm really excited to see what the students come up with in March.

Last night Crystal and I got together to talk about the project and we wanted to give this specific "New Development" project a name. We looked for Mixtec words that resonated but my peeps make it hard to find Mixtec words... so we started looking for Nahuatl words. We came across a word that really resonated to both Crystal & I, "OPEHQUEH," which means "They began." Our project has a name.

The purpose of this project is to create a new work while educating youth in Theatre Arts. This project will explore technology through the lens of a classic art form. With this project we will involve young artists, community members, families and technology agencies in the process of writing a new play. The play, intended for all ages, will explore the positive and negative effects of technology on multiple generations and the ways in which we communicate with one another.

This project is broken down into four sections: the research, workshop, writing and production. Right now, our class falls under the research section, working with students to have a better understanding of technology amongst teens.

Please enjoy the picture of Crystal & I . Also, be sure to comment on our Opehqueh blog.

love

-m

The Grant

Last year in the summer the San Diego Foundation released a grant- The Creative Catalyst Individual Artist Fellowship, where a group of selected emerging San Diego Artist could potentially be awarded a grant. The grant was for artist in all disciplines with the gift of time (one year), space (the sponsor company that the artist could apply under), mentorship (from the sponsor company, and community to create new work (the project would need to involve the company).

Well, in the summer, with the support of my friends (the Chones & Chanclas ladies) I applied from the grant. I did not apply for this grant because I was creating a project specially for the grant, I applied because a few months back the C&C ladies got together and talked about creating a new theatre piece that would potential create future projects for us.

So, in July I started the application. I barely made the application deadline because I had written down the wrong date (and to be quite honest the writing was not my proudest... I'm not a good writer I know... so imagine me writing something last minute... not good).

Luckily, the message got through to the company I applied and my application was selected. Once the company selected my application, I had to apply with the company for the grant, so we did!

In November we (San Diego Junior Theatre & Me (individual artist) were moved to the next phase, the interview. I was interviewed in front of 6 people who asked me questions about my project and past works.

In December I got a phone call from JT congratulating me, "We got the grant!" I immediately called my partner in crime, Crystal Mercado and told her "we" got the grant... although the grant is under my name, Crystal has fully been involved in this project, which I am very happy about.

So, the question you might be wondering is... "what the heck is this project you are talking about?" right?

Well, check out the article: http://www.signonsandieg.com/news/2011/dec/23/San-Diego-Foundation-grants/

more to come soon!