Speaker: Conchi León

Conchi León, is a dramaturg, director, actor, community activist, and one of the most noteworthy contributors to contemporary Mexican theater. Born in 1973 in Mérida, Yucatán, León’s first forays into theatre came at an early age. Despite experiencing reproaches and discrimination, nevertheless, she persisted. During the span of her career, León has penned over 60 pieces, directing and performing in countless more. She has been recognized at the national and international level, for example, as an artist-in-residence at the Lark Play Development Center in New York, as a member of Mexico’s prestigious Sistema Nacional de Creadores de Arte CONACULTA-FONCA, and by the Yucatán’s Commission for Human Rights for her social work via theater.

A common thread throughout León’s pieces is the art of storytelling, culminating in her particular style of testimonial theater. Her style melds and weaves together reflections on own life and stories from those who inspire her creations. In the first half of the lecture-performance, León will perform her unipersonal, Cachorro de León. In this deeply moving and introspective work, León navigates childhood memories of intrafamilial violence and her troubled relationship with her father. During the second portion of the event, León will offer insights about her methodology, discussing La Nostalgia de los sentidos. Manual de dramaturgia testimonial.