2118 Wilshire Blvd #374, Santa Monica, CA 90403-5784
monicapalacios@earthlink.net
EDUCATION
Fall 1980 - Spring 1984
San Francisco State University
Bachelor of Arts in Film, Screenwriting concentration. Dean's List.
Fall 1979 - Spring 1980
Chico State University
Creative Writing concentration
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, HONORS & AWARDS
2004 Indie Award, Excellence in Playwriting,
Santa Barbara Independent Newspaper
2004-2003 Postdoctoral Rockefeller Fellowship, Center for Chicano Studies, UC Santa Barbara
Commission, Latino Theatre Initiative at the Los Angeles Mark Taper Forum,
2003 National LLEGO, El Premio Mujer Award: Honored for strengthening Latina lesbian/bisexual visibility and empowerment
2002 Tentaciones Magazine: One of 16 Most Influential LGBT Latinas/os
In the Country. Honored for Activism, Achievements, Visibility & Leadership
OUT Magazine’s “OUT 100”
Honored for making a difference in gay & lesbian society
Latin Pride Foundation Los Angeles
Contributing to the positive images of Latina Lesbians and the Latino Community
1998 Vice Versa Award Excellence in Gay & Lesbian Press, Humor
"Rejuvenation," column in monthly magazine Lesbian News
1997 Vice Versa Award Excellence in Gay & Lesbian Press, Humor
"Palpitating for Paltrow," column in monthly magazine Lesbian News
1996 Playwright Fellowship, Latino Theatre Initiative at the Los Angeles Mark Taper Forum,
1996 L.A.C.E. Award, Lesbian & Bisexual Women Active in Community Empowerment, Outstanding Contributions in Arts & Entertainment, Women's Night Thirteen, Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center
City of Los Angeles Recognition, Extraordinary Commitment in serving the lesbian and gay communities
1992 National Gay & Lesbian Performance Artist Award,
1990 VIVA, Lesbian & Gay Latino Artist Award, Excellence in Writing & Performing
PUBLICATIONS
ANTHOLOGIES
2000 “The Not So Friendly Skies” short story in Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Latino Arts Anthology,
ed. Luiz Sampaio, Los Angeles City Cultural Affairs Department
“Latin Lezbo Comic” one woman show in Latinas On Stage, ed. Alicia Arrizon & Lillian Manzor, Third Woman Press
"Greetings From A Queer Senorita" one woman show in Out of The Fringe: Latino/a Theatre & Performance, ed. Caridad Svich & Maria Teresa Marrero, Theater Communications Group, Inc,
"Describe Your Work" performance piece in Puro Teatro, A Latina Anthology, ed. Alberto
Sandoval-Sanchez & Nancy Saporta Sternbach, University of Arizona Press
1997 "Tomboy" performance piece in Living Chicana Theory, ed. Carla Trujillo, Third Woman Press
"Latin Lezbo Comic" one woman show in A Funny Time To Be Gay, ed. Ed Karvoski Jr., Simon & Schuster
1995 "Personality Fabulosa" short story in Latina: Women's Voices From The Borderlands, ed. Lillian Castillo-Speed, Simon & Schuster
1991 "La Llorona: The Other Side" short story in Chicana Lesbians: The Girls Our Mothers Warned Us About, ed. Carla Trujillo, Third Woman Press, Winner of the Lamda Literary Award 1992
"La Llorona" short story in Lesbian Bedtime Stories 2 ed. Terry Woodrow, Tough Dove Books
NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES
2004 “Honoring the Dead, Empowering the Living” Essay in, IN Los Angeles Magazine Oct. 19-Nov 1, 2004
2002 Monthly column in The Lesbian News, 1995 – December 2002
2001 “Plain Jane” essay in Tongues Magazine One 2001
“Peace Please” essay in VIDA: A Latina Literary Review at Mount Holyoke College, Fall 2001
2000 "Culture For Comfort" essay in Latina Magazine, September 2000
"I, Carmelita Tropicana" a book review of I, Carmelita Tropicana by Alina Troyano (Beacon Press, 2000) in Advocate Magazine, April 25, 2000
1999 "Right Here, Right Now" essay in Frontiers Magazine, June 25, 1999
1994 "Venice on Two Hours a Day" article The Best of Los Angeles in LA Weekly,
September 30-October 6, 1994
1993 "Siren Song" article The Best of Los Angeles in LA Weekly, September 24-30, 1993
"Taqueria Tease" performance piece in Food & Fetish, VIVA Art Journal, Spring 1993
1992 "Chunks of Pride" essay in Frontiers Magazine, June 19, 1992
"Lesbians Just Do It!" article in Ten Percent UCLA's Queer Magazine, January 29, 1992
1991 "Personality Fabulosa," short story in Outlook Magazine Fall 1991
PLAYS
2005 Reading of Clock, Latino Playreading Series, Ford Amphitheatre, Hollywood. Featured play
2004 The Chicken Strips, a collaborative project with middle school students at Los Angeles Leadership Academy. Writer, dramaturg and director. Students performed play.
The Big Surprise, a collaborative project with 3rd grade students at Wesley Gaines Elementary School, Paramount. Writer, dramaturg and director. Students and professional actors performed play.
Sweet Peace, UC Santa Barbara, Center for Chicano Studies Rockefeller Fellowship residency workshop production. Center Stage Theater, Santa Barbara. Residency under Professor Carl Gutierrez-Jones
2001 Clothes Minded, a teen oriented collaborative project written by artists and youth. A Fringe Benefits Productions. Featured writer
Atmosphere Project, a short vignette for Disney’s California Adventure Theme Park
1998 Reading of Clock, A.S.K. Fall Reading Series, A.S.K. Theatre Projects, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles
Reading of Clock, Fiesta de Artistas de Los Angeles, Relentless Theatre Co., Los Angeles
1996 Commission, fellowship from Latino Theatre Initiative at the Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles. Created Clock
1994 La Llorona, 2 month run, shared evening with another one act, Celebration Theatre, Los Angeles
Seagullita, 2 month run, shared evening with 5 short plays, Celebration Theatre, Los Angeles
DIRECTOR & DRAMATURG
2006-1995 Director and dramaturg for over 300 student plays, K-12 & college, private instruction: one person shows and standard plays
ONE WOMAN SHOWS
All shows self written
Get Your Feet Wet
2005
Sor Juana Festival, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago. Featured performer
California State University Los Angeles. Sponsors: Center for The Study of Genders & Sexualities; Cross Cultural Centers. Featured performer
2004
Casa 0101 Theatre, Los Angeles. One week run. Featured performer
Queer Soul
2002
20 year retrospective, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica. 2 weekend run, featured performer
Obvious
2002
UC Santa Barbara. Featured performer
Besame Mucho
2002
Claremont Colleges, Claremont CA. Featured performer
2001
California State University, Fullerton. Featured performer
2000
Vassar College. Featured performer
Latina Theatre Festival, Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center’s Cultural Arts Program. Featured performer
Cup of Culture Series, California State University, Los Angeles. Featured performer
Contemporary Issues Series, Bates College, Maine. Featured performer
Race & Gender Performance Series, University of Vermont. Featured performer
Circle Rising Playwrights Festival, Zephyr Theatre, Los Angeles. 3 shows, featured performer
Sin Verguenza: An Interdisciplinary Conference on Latina/o Sexuality, University of Michigan. Featured closing performer
Queer Arts Festival 2000: Art Activism of a Queer Color, University of Colorado @ Boulder. Featured performer
Greetings From A Queer Señorita
1999
Cup of Culture Series, California State University, Los Angeles. Featured performer
Out On The Edge: Festival of Gay & Lesbian Theater, Theater Offensive, Boston. 3 nights, featured performer
Reach LA, Mark Taper Auditorium, Downtown Library, Los Angeles. Benefit performance for Reach LA youth organization
Semana de la Raza Noche Cultural, Washington State University. Featured performer
Rockefeller Foundation Private Party, Social Public Art Resource Center, Venice, CA. Featured performer
1998
California State University Summer Arts Program, CSU, Long Beach. Featured performer
Esperanza, Peace & Justice Center, San Antonio. 2 nights, benefits for Esperanza Center, featured performer
1997
Pomona College, Claremont, CA. Artist in residence, one week. Taught writing & performing workshops and ended stay
with featured performance
University of Texas, San Antonio. Featured performer
New World Theatre, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Featured performer
Students of Color Night of Culture, Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota. Featured performer
University of California, Riverside. Featured performer
Del Corazon Festival, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago. Featured performer
1996
Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social Conference, San Diego State University. Featured performer
Women in Rhythm, International Women’s Day, West Hollywood. Featured performer
University of Redlands, CA. Featured performer
1995
Women & Theatre Program & Association For Theatre In Higher Learning Annual Conference, Marine's Memorial, San Francisco
Featured performer
One In Ten Theatre Company, Tucson, Arizona. 2 shows, featured performer
Gay and Lesbian Awareness Month, San Diego State University. Featured performer
Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Comedy Night, UC Riverside. Featured performer
Latino History Month, Brown University, Providence. Featured performer
Dangerous Curves, Beyond Baroque Literary Art Center, Venice. Featured performer
Queer Frontiers, The 5th National Annual Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Graduate Student Conference, USC, Los Angeles
Featured performer
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Awareness Week, MIT, Cambridge. Featured performer
1994
Gay & Lesbian Awareness Month, Claremont College, Claremont, CA. Featured performer
Gay and Lesbian Awareness Month, University of California Riverside. Featured performer
Multicultural Center, University of California Santa Barbara. Featured performer
Gay and Lesbian Awareness Month, San Diego State University. Featured performer
Fierce Tongues/Women of Fire, Latina Festival, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica. Featured performer
Josie's Cabaret, San Francisco. 2 week run, featured performer
Latin Lezbo Comic
1995
SOLO/LA Festival, CBS Studio Center, Studio City. 3 shows, featured performer
1994
Stonewall 25 & Gay Games Cultural Festival, New York Theatre Workshop, NY. Featured performer
International Women's Month Celebration, Smith College, Massachusetts. Featured performer
1993
Annual Art Movement Show, Urban Art Retreat Gallery, Chicago. 2 nights, featured performer
Intro to Chicano Studies 1C, University of California Santa Barbara. Featured performer
Brown University. Featured performer
International Women's Month, San Diego State University. Featured performer
Gender, Sexuality's and the State: A Latino, Hispanic Context, UC Berkeley. Featured performer
La Semana de la Mujer, University of California Riverside. Featured performer
Centro Cultural de la Raza, San Diego. 2 shows, featured performer
Gay and Lesbian Comedy Night, UCLA. Featured performer
Gay, Lesbian Bisexual Awareness Month, Pomona College, Claremont, CA. Featured performer
1992
Coming Out Day Celebration, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Featured performer
Freshman Orientation, UCLA. Featured performer
National Women's Theatre Festival, Freud Hall, UCLA. Featured performer
Malibu Women's Festival. Featured performer
ACT UP Phoenix, Herberger Theatre, Phoenix. 2 shows, featured performance
California Poly Tech, Pomona. Featured performer
Comedy Night, Occidental College, Los Angeles. Featured performer
Celebration Theatre, The Gay and Lesbian Theatre of Los Angeles. 3 month run, featured performer
1991
Issues of Multiculturalism, Antioch College, Marina Del Rey. Featured performer
Sushi Performance Space, San Diego. 2 shows, featured performer
Jump Start Theatre, San Antonio. 2 shows, featured performer
Alice B. Theatre, Seattle. 2 week run, featured performer
Coming Out Day Celebration, University of Southern California. Featured performer
Echo Theatre, Portland. 2 shows, featured performer
Creating Change Conference, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Los Angeles. Featured performer
VIVA'a Mexico: 500 Years of Denial, Invisibility and Silence, Artes de Mexico Project, Beyond Baroque Literary Art Center, Venice
Featured performer
Josie's Cabaret, San Francisco. 2 week run, featured performer
Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica. 3 shows, featured performer
Women In Movement In New Mexico, Kimo Theatre, Albuquerque. Featured performer
My Body & Other Parts
1998
The Wing: New Theatre Taking Off, Center Theatre Group, Falcon Theatre, Burbank. Featured performer
Familia, Gay & Lesbian Queer Latino Organization, Noche de Carnaval, Stanford University. Featured performer
Multicultural Center & Women's Center Programming, UC Santa Barbara. Featured performer
Gay & Lesbian Cultural Night, Pasadena City College. Featured performer
Chat With Monica The groovy new talk show
1996
Chicks & Salsa Night, VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, Beyond Baroque, Venice, CA. Featured performer
Confessions...A Sexplosion of Tantalizing Tales
1996
Women's History Month, University of Texas, San Antonio, Jump Start Theatre. Featured performer
1994
Josie's Cabaret, San Francisco. 2 week run, featured performer
6th Annual Festival of Lesbian & Gay Performance, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, 2 week run
DUO SHOWS
The Queer Physically Challenged Latina & White Sonny & Chere Of Now
2005
Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica. Solo & collaborative work with Greg Walloch, featured performers
GROUP SHOWS
Deep In The Crotch of My Latino Psyche
1993
Out On The Edge Festival 2, Theatre Offensive - Boston
Featured myself, Luis Alfaro, Beto Araiza solo and collaborative work for 3 nights
1992
Josie's Cabaret - San Francisco
Featured myself, Luis Alfaro, Beto Araiza for 2 week run
4th Annual National Festival of Lesbian and Gay Performance, Highways Performance Space,
Santa Monica
Featured myself, Luis Alfaro, Beto Araiza for 2 week run
Culture Clash
1984-1985
Founding member of Latino comedy troupe. Performed at many venues throughout California including Stanford University & El Teatro Campesino
PERFORMANCES & READINGS
2005
Reel Rasquache 2005, Festival of the U.S. Latino Experience in Film & Art. California State University, Los Angeles. Featured MC
2004
33rd Annual Los Angeles City Employees Chicano Association Holiday Reception & Toy Drive. Featured Performer
Hombres Talking About Life, Sex & Sangre, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica
Produced, conceived, directed & hosted, featured 4 latino actors and myself
LIP Service, Lesbians in Power, Cabaret, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica
MC & featured artist, once a month throughout 2004
Latin LGBT Pride, Echo Park, Los Angeles
2003
“Say It: Talking About Race”, Film shoot, Paradigm Productions, Julia Morgan Theater, Berkeley. Featured performer
Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambios Social MALCS Summer Institute & Conference, University of Texas – San Antonio
Read new play: Sweet Peace
Latina Arts Celebration, MACHA Theatre Company, The Ford Amphitheatre, Los Angeles. MCed and featured act
Comedy Por Favor!, part of the National Queer Arts Festival, San Francisco. Performed with Marga Gomez, Carmelita Tropicana
Storytelling in Action, Tomas Rivera Conference, UC Riverside. Featured Performer
The Super Sonic Chicana Show, University of Wisconsin @ Madison. Featured performer
Riquisimo: All Latina Review, San Francisco. Featured performer
Night Of Funny Lesbians, Long Beach, CA. Featured performer
2002
Women’s Community Action Award Dinner, UCLA Women’s Studies Programs & Center for the Study of Women, UCLA
Featured performer
Building Bridges Award, The National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization, Los Angeles. MCed Award Show
Erotic Tongues, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica. Featured performer
Film Fatale, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica. Featured performer
2001
On The Tip of Yo’ Tongue, Magazine Premiere Party. MCed and featured act
Latin Pride Parade, Los Angeles. MCed parade
Common Ground Festival, ASK Theater Projects, Los Angeles. Reading of my play Besame Mucho
Semana de la Xicana, University of Colorado @ Boulder. Featured performer
29th Annual National Association for Chicano/Chicana Studies Conference, Tucson. Featured performer
26th Annual Association for Women in Psychology Conference, Los Angeles. Featured performer
Otro Corazon: Queering The Art of Aztlan, A Chicano/a Queer Artists Symposium, UCLA. Featured performer
1999
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Week, UC Santa Barbara. Featured performance, "It's Clear I'm Queer"
Hijas Del Quinto Sol Conference, Guadalupe Cultural Center, St Mary's College, San Antonio.
Featured performance, "Super Sonic Chicana 2000"
Pitzer College, Claremont, CA. Featured performance, "Super Sonic Chicana 2000”
4th Annual Chicana/Latina Conference, UCLA. Featured performance, "Super Sonic Chicana 2000”
1998
Chicks & Salsa, VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, The Village, Gay & Lesbian Center, LA. Featured MC
Una Noche de Esperanza Fund-raiser, Alta Med Services, Roosevelt Hotel, LA. MC evening fund-raiser
Latino-Licious, The Village, LA Gay & Lesbian Center. Shared evening with Luis Alfaro
Stonewall Celebration, Gay & Lesbian Pride, Santa Barbara. Featured performer
VIVA'S Tenth Anniversary Celebration, VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
MC evening of performance
Living Chicana Theory, anthology Modern Times Bookstore, San Francisco. Reading "Tomboy", & book signing
1997
Chicks & Salsa, VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, Rudolfo's Night Club, Los Angeles. MC
First Annual Queer Latino Youth Conference, UCLA. Closing speaker and featured performer
5th Annual National Latino/a Lesbian & Gay Organization Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico. MC
Latin Night In The Park, Christopher Street West, Los Angeles. Featured performer
Erotix, Midnight Special Bookstore, Santa Monica. Read erotic poetry
1996
Memorial tribute to Artist Jose Antonio Burciaga, York Theatre, San Francisco.
Gay & Lesbian Coming Out Week, UCLA. Featured performer
Dyke March, Los Angeles. MC
Night of Erotica, Beyond Baroque Literary Art Center, Venice.
1995
Latina: Women's Voices From the Borderlands, Sisterhood Bookstore, Westwood. Reading, "Personality Fabulosa" & book signing
Latina: Women's Voices From the Borderlands, Barnes & Noble, West Covina, CA. Reading, "Personality Fabulosa" & book signing
Latina: Women's Voices From the Borderlands, Midnight Special Bookstore, Santa Monica. Reading, "Personality Fabulosa" & book signing
The Works of Pablo Neruda, Miramax Films, Beyond Baroque, Venice. Read Neruda poetry with other writers
Fierce Tongues, A Three Day Festival of Latina Artists. Featured performer & MC
Chicks & Salsa, VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, Beyond Baroque, Venice. Featured performer MC
1994
Chicks & Salsa, VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, Beyond Baroque, Venice. Featured performance and MC evening
Multicultural Comedy Festival, University of Texas, Austin . Shared evening with 3 other national comics
Gay and Lesbian Awareness Week, Occidental College. Featured performance
Raza & Rhinestones, An evening of cabaret, VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, Atlas Night Club, Los Angeles
Featured performer and MC
Passion and Protest Art Journal Reading & signing, VIVA Lesbian & Gay Lesbian Artists, Beyond Baroque, Venice. MC
Gay Comedy Extravaganza, Great American Music Hall, San Francisco. Featured performance 5 other national queer comics
Out For Laughs, Miami Light Project, Colony Theatre, Miami Beach. Featured performer
California Women's Law Center Annual Comedy Night, Director's Guild Theater, LA
All Men All Comedy, Evening of Gay Comedy, Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach. MC
1993
Raza & Rhinestones, An evening of cabaret, VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, Atlas Night Club, Los Angeles
Featured performer and MC
Chicks & Salsa, with VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, West Hollywood Auditorium. Featured performer & MC
2nd Annual Open and Out Festival, Celebration Theatre, Los Angeles. 2 nights, featured performer
LA LA Awards 93, Latins Anonymous, Odyssey Theatre, Los Angeles. Featured performance with producers Latin Anonymous
Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos 12th Anniversary Awards Banquet, LA Hilton. Featured performer
Chicana Film Festival, UCLA. Featured performer & MC
California Women's Law Center Annual Comedy Night, Directors Guild Theater, LA.. Featured performer
Gay Comedy Night, Josie's Cabaret - San Francisco. Featured performer
Chicks & Salsa, with VIVA Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists, West Hollywood Auditorium. Featured performer & MC
1992
Powerhouse Theatre Annual Fund-raiser, Santa Monica. Shared evening with many performers
International Pride Festival Association Conference, Long Beach, CA. Featured performer
Stand Up For Choice Comedy Night, Feminist Majority Fund-raiser, Laugh Factory, LA. Shared evening national comics
Counter Columbus Celebration, Santa Monica Arts Festival 1992, Santa Monica Pier. Shared afternoon with many performers
Gay Pride Comedy Extravaganza, Great American Music Hall, San Francisco. Shared evening with 5 national queer comics
Reality Ball, ACT UP Los Angeles Fund-raiser, Los Angeles Theatre Center. Shared evening with many performers
Specific Passions, Wild Rose Cabaret, Seattle. Shared evening with 3 other female performers
1991
ALL Women ALL Comedy, Ebell Club, Long Beach, CA. Shared evening with 5 other lesbian comics
Images of Hope, Latino Artists Against AIDS, Santa Monica Museum of Art.. Shared afternoon with several artists
GLAAD Los Angeles, Media Awards Banquet, Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Featured performer
Noche de Risa y Susto, Los Angeles Theatre Center. Shared evening with several Latino comics
1990
Christopher Street West Pride Festival, Los Angeles. Featured performer at main stage & MC
Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival. Featured performer at main stage & MC
Christopher Street West Pride Festival, Los Angeles. Featured performer at main stage & MC
1988
San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival. Featured performer at main stage & MC
Gay Comedy Night, University of California Berkeley. Shared evening with 4 other queer comics
Gay Awareness Week, San Francisco State University. Featured performer
Gay Awareness Week, San Jose State University. Featured performer
Mid-West Women's Music Festival, University of Indiana, Bloomington. Featured performer
1987
National Women's Studies Association Conference, University of Illinois, Urbana. Featured performer
Gay Comedy Night, University of California Santa Cruz. Featured performer
Intersection Theatre, San Francisco
1986
Theatre Rhino, The Gay and Lesbian Theatre of San Francisco
Popular Culture, University of Nevada Reno. Featured performer
1982-1986
Valencia Rose Cabaret, San Francisco. Featured performer many evenings during these 4 years
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Spring 2006
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, American Cultures Studies
“Women of Color in Film”
A course I created which focuses on Asian, Latina and African American women of color in film as actors, directors, writers 1959--2005
Fall 2005
UC Santa Barbara, Chicano Studies Department
“Chicano Theater Workshop: Solo Performance”
A course I created which explores Chicano/Latino performers: such as Carmelita Tropicana, Luis Alfaro, Marga Gomez and others. Students then create and develop their own 10 minute performance piece taken from life experiences. This final performance is presented to the class during finals week.
Loyola Marymount, Los Angeles, American Cultures Studies
“Race & Performance: New American Theater of Color”
A course I created which focuses on Latino, Asian and African American playwrights and subject matter of color 1985-2005
Spring 2005
California State University, Los Angeles, Chicano Studies Department
“Comedy y Cultura: Chicano/a Autobiography”
A course I created which focuses on the Chicano/a autobiography with an emphasis on a humorous life adventure. This course investigates humor within the context of cultural identity, autobiography, performance and storytelling. This course starts by studying influential Latino/a writers and performers: Latins Anonymous, myself, Michele Serros and Jose Antonio Burciaga. The students develop a 10 page story which is read/performed in front of class.
Winter 2005
American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Hollywood
“Creating The One Person Show”
An 8 week intensive core class that explores the one character play.
Winter 2004
UC Santa Barbara, Chicano Studies Department
“Chicano Theater Workshop: Solo Performance”
A course I created which explores Chicano/Latino performers: such as Carmelita Tropicana, Luis Alfaro, Marga Gomez and others. Students then create and develop their own 10 minute performance piece taken from life experiences. This final performance is presented to the class during finals week.
Spring 2003
University of Southern California, Theater Dept
Fundementals of Improv, Guest Instructor
UC Riverside, English Department, Introduction to Chicano Literature
“Comedy y Cultura: Chicano/a Autobiography”
A course I created which focuses on the Chicano/a autobiography with an emphasis on a humorous life adventure. This course investigates humor within the context of cultural identity, autobiography, performance and storytelling. This course starts by studying influential Latino/a writers and performers: Latins Anonymous, myself, Michele Serros and Jose Antonio Burciaga. The students develop a 15 page story which is read/performed in front of an invited audience during finals week.
Winter 2003
American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Hollywood
“Creating The One Person Show”
An 8 week intensive core class that explores the one character play.
Winter 2002
UCLA, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Studies Program
“Creating Queer Performance Art”
A course I created which explores cutting edge queer performers: Carmelita Tropicana, Luis Alfaro, Tim Miller and others. Students then create and develop their own 10 minute performance piece dealing with queer issues taken from life experiences. This final performance is presented to the class during finals week.
Spring 2001
UCLA, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Studies Program
“Creating Queer Performance Art” Same as above
Spring 2001
Pomona College at the Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA, Departments of Women Studies & Art
"Feminist Performance Art: Storytelling It Like It Is"
A course I created which focuses on feminist performance artists Holly Hughes, Marga Gomez and myself. Students study the artists and then as a final project create and develop their own 10 minute performance dealing with issues of feminism, gender, sexuality and cultural identity. This piece is performed in front of an invited audience during finals week.
Fall 2000
UCLA, Chicano/a Studies, Cesar Chavez Center
"Bilingual Autobiography: Comedy y Cultura"
A course I created which focuses on the Chicano/a autobiography with an emphasis on a humorous life adventure. This course investigates humor within the context of cultural identity, autobiography, performance and storytelling. This course starts by studying influential Latino/a writers and performers: Latins Anonymous, myself, Michele Serros and Jose Antonio Burciaga. The students develop a 15 page story which is read/performed in front of an invited audience during finals week.
Spring 2000
Pomona College at the Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA, Departments of Women Studies & Art
"Feminist Performance Art: Storytelling It Like It Is" Same as above
Spring 1997
UCLA, Chicano/a Studies, Cesar Chavez Center
"La Llorona"
A course I created which focuses on the history and many versions of the Latino folklore. The students then create and develop their own 15 page fiction/non-fiction modern day Llorona story which is read in front of an invited audience during finals week.
Fall 1996
UCLA, Chicano/a Studies, Cesar Chavez Center
"Comedy y Cultura"
A course I created which focuses a humorous life adventure. This course investigates humor within the context of cultural identity, autobiography, performance and storytelling. This course starts by studying influential Latino/a writers and performers: Marga Gomez, Latins Anonymous, myself, Michele Serros and Jose Antonio Burciaga. The students develop a 10 page story which is read/performed in front of an invited audience during finals week.
Spring 1996
UCLA, Chicano/a Studies, Cesar Chavez Center
"La Llorona"
Same as above
Fall 1995
UCLA, Chicano/a Studies, Cesar Chavez Center,
"Comedy y Cultura"
Same as above
LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS, PANELIST, WORKSHOPS
2006
Chicana Feminist Performance, California State University, Los Angeles, taught workshop
Autobio-Me-Oh-My-Oh, California State University, Chico, taught workshop2004
Chicana Feminism, UC Santa Barbara Chicano Studies Department. Guest Lecturer
Latina Bodies Conference, UC Santa Barbara Center for Chicano Studies. Featured Presenter
Out and About: Queer Professionals, Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity, UC Santa Barbara. Featured panelist
2003
Chicano Literature, UC Santa Barbara Chicano Studies Department. Guest lecturer
Writing For Solo Performance, UC Santa Barbara Theater Department. Guest lecturer
Queer Performance Lecture Series, Theater Dept UCLA. Featured Performance and lecture
Latina Empowerment Performance Workshop: Don’t Tell Me I Can’t. La Mujer Conference, Univeristy of Wisconsin at Madison
Revolution & Resistance: A Conference On The State Of Chicana/o Art & Activism, UC Riverside
Panelist on Visions of Community Building in Theater & Performance
2002
Festival of Chicano Theater Classics, UCLA. Panelist on playwriting
Los Angeles County AIDS Office First Annual Gay Pride Luncheon. Featured speaker
2001
UCLA, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Studies & Women Studies course: Intro to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Studies. Autobiographical lecture and performance
UCLA, Women Studies course: Imaginary Women . Lectured on my short story “La Llorona: The Other Side”
2000
California State Univerisity, Los Angeles. Workshop: Writing on The Spot
University of Vermont, course: Women of Color in Performance. Autobiographical lecture
1999
UC Santa Barbara, course: Queer Latina Cultural Production. Autobiographical lecture & performance, "Cholas, Churros & Champions"
4th Annual Hijas del Quinto Sol Conference on Latina Literature & Identity, St. Mary's University & Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, San Antonio. Panelist: "Dramatists Talk About Their Work"
UCLA 4th Annual Chicana Latina Conference. Closing speaker & performance
UC Santa Barbara, course: Intro to Chicano/a Studies, Chicana/o (Re)Presentations & Performance: Visions From The Heart, series
Lecture & performance, "Super Sonic Chicana 2000"
1998
California State University, Long Beach course: Manikrudo Mambo, CSU Summer Arts Program. Taught creative writing workshop, "Creatively Speaking: Writing On The Spot"
Mills College, Oakland, CA. Panelist, "Making Tracks: Women of Color Writers"
University of Texas at San Antonio. Taught creative writing workshop, "Creatively Speaking: Writing On The Spot"
UC Berkeley, course: Mestiza Consciousness In The Americas. Lecture & performance, "It's Clear, I'm Queer"
1997
UCLA First Annual Queer Latino Youth Conference. Closing speaker and performance
Pomona College, Claremont, CA. Taught autobiographical writing workshop, "Humorously Human"
Pomona College, Claremont, CA. Taught performance workshop, "Poetry, Palabras y Performance"
Pomona College, Claremont, CA, course: Borderotics. Autobiographical lecture & performance
Pomona College, Claremont, CA, course: Cultural Revolutions. Autobiographical lecture & performance
Scripps College, Claremont, CA, course: Chicana Literature. Autobiographical lecture & performance
University of Texas, San Antonio. Lecture, "Multiple Marginality In The Entertainment Business"
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, graduate seminar: Dramaturgy in Action. Students interviewed me for video project
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, course: Queers of Color in American Theatre. Autobiographical lecture & performance
Smith College, course: The Bronze Screen, Latinos/as in Film. Autobiographical lecture
1996
UCLA, course: Intro to Gay & Lesbian Studies. Autobiographical lecture & performance
Loyola Marymount University, course: Women of Color in Literature. Autobiographical lecture & performance
1995
Claremont College, National Association for Chicano/Chicana Studies in Southern California, Autobiographical lecture & performance, "Latin Lezbo Comic"
UC Santa Cruz, course: Transforming Spaces. Autobiographical lecture & performance
UCLA, course: Chicana Feminism. Invited to read and discuss short story, "La Llorona: The Other Side"
1993
Occidental College, Los Angeles, course: Gender Studies. Autobiographical lecture & performance
UC Santa Barbara, course: Into to Chicano Studies 1C. Autobiographical lecture & performance
1992
Occidental College, Los Angeles, course: Gender Studies. Autobiographical lecture & performance
1991
Antioch College, Marina del Rey, CA, course: Issues of Multiculturalism. Autobiographical lecture & performance
1990
UC Berkeley, Empowering Women of Color Conference, "The Chicana Lesbian". Autobiographical lecture & performance
HIGH SCHOOLS
Summer 2006
English as Second Language, Education First a worldwide educational institution at California State University, Long Beach. I created a four week English immersion curriculum, for teenagers from Italy, China, Japan, France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Taiwan and Vietnam. Applied grammar, conversation and writing exercises with emphasis on their teen lives.
Fall 2005
Play writing instructor, "Playwrights in the Schools" at Narbonne High School, Harbor City/LA. This 16 session residency teaches the fundamentals of play writing designed to engage high school students, expanding their awareness of the dramatic arts and building self esteem. Each playwright brings into the classroom his/her individual style, offering an innovative curriculum and creating a supportive and collaborative environment. The students then create a 10 minute play.
Summer 2005
English as Second Language
Education First a worldwide educational institution at California State University, Long Beach. I created a four week English immersion curriculum, for teenagers from Italy, China, Japan, France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Taiwan and Vietnam. Applied grammar, conversation and writing exercises with emphasis on their teen lives.
Fall 2004
Play writing instructor, "Playwrights in the Schools" at Narbonne High School, Harbor City/LA.
Same as above: Fall 2005
Spring 2004
“Playwrights in the Schools” Dorsey High School, Guest teacher
Spring 2003
Play writing instructor, "Playwrights in the Schools" at Hamilton High School, Los Angeles.
Same as above: Fall 2005
Fall 2002
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at South Gate High School, Los Angeles. This 14 week residency which was developed by A.S.K. Theater Projects, teaches the fundamentals of play writing designed to engage high school students, expanding their awareness of the dramatic arts and building self esteem. Each playwright brings into the classroom his/her individual style, offering an innovative curriculum and creating a supportive and collaborative environment. The students then create a 10 minute play
Summer 2002
California State Summer School for the Arts, California Institute for The Arts, Valencia. Fiction writing instructor for this special 4 week intensive program. I created a curriculum: “Writing to Perform”
Spring 2002
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at South Gate High School, Los Angeles.
Same as above: Fall 2002
Safe Haven Project, at Garfield High School, Guest speaker and performer
Fall 2001
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at Venice High School, West Los Angeles
Same as above: Fall 2002
Spring 2001
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at Venice High School, West Los Angeles.
Same as above
Fall 2000
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at Venice High School, West Los Angeles
Same as above: Fall 2002
Summer 2000
English as a Second Language Program from ELS Language Centers at Pepperdine University, Malibu. Taught conversational English to international vacationing teens. A 3 week English Study.
Spring 2000
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at Hamilton High School, West Los Angeles
Same as above: Fall 2002
Fall 1999
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at Hamilton High School, West Los Angeles
Spring 1999
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at Hamilton High School, West Los Angeles
Same as above: Fall 2002
Fall 1998
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at Hamilton High School, West Los Angeles
Same as above: Fall 2002
Spring 1998
Play writing instructor, A.S.K. Theater Projects special program "Playwrights in the Schools" at Hamilton High School, West Los Angeles
Same as above: Fall 2002
Project 10 Speaker for gay & lesbian students at Nabornne High School, Los Angeles
Project 10 Speaker for gay & lesbian students at Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies High School
Fall 1997
Project 10 Speaker for gay & lesbian students at Huntington Park High School, Los Angeles
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Spring 2005
Creating Storybooks Workshop, Celebrating Cinco de Mayo, Olvera Street, Los Angeles
Created a weekend storybook workshop for children K-8. Workshop was part of a larger community event that was free to the public.
Created an 8 week Theater Workshop for middle school students at Los Angeles Leadership Academy. As a collaborative team, I wrote a play with the students. As writer/director, rehearsed with students to create full production and presented to student body, faculty and parents.
Winter 2005
Created a 5 week workshop: “Screen Writing for Youth.” Collins Elementary, North Long Beach. 4 days of workshop and the fifth day was a presentation of all the screenplays with invited actors. S.T.A.R. G.A.T.E Class: Sports, Theater, Arts & Recreation; Gifted & Talented Education Programs, Designated a “Model Program” by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education
Fall 2004
Created a 3 week workshop: “Play Writing for Youth.” Jefferson Elementary, Los Angeles. 4 days of workshop and the fifth day was a presentation of all the plays with invited actors. S.T.A.R. G.A.T.E Class: Sports, Theater, Arts & Recreation; Gifted & Talented Education Programs, Designated a “Model Program” by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education
Spring 2002
Social Justice Play writing workshop 5th grade, Balboa Magnet School, Northridge. Four hour workshop designed to help students focus on a school situation that deals with discrimination and then the event is turned into a 10 minute play that is presented to their school.
Summer 2000
Words and Pictures
An 8 week creative writing workshop I created with an emphasis on storybook design for The Los Angeles Center for Education Research (LACER) an after school program for middle school students
Summer 1999
LAX Mural Project, sponsored by Los Angeles International Airport, Human Rights Commission L.A.; created by Social & Public Art Resource Center and muralist Judith F. Baca. An 8 week summer program, where I taught autobiographical journal writing dealing with cultural identity to 8th grade students. Excerpts from journals were placed on banners which were hung at LAX and then went citywide
CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, PANELIST
2003
Keynote Speaker: People of Flavor Conference. Harvard Westlake High School, North Hollywood, CA
2002
Eagles Academy, Continuation School for LGBT students. Workshop: Fundamentals of writing & performing
2001
Santa Monica Community Arts Grant Panelist, selection panel
2000
Writers at Work, Los Angeles. Workshop: Life is Funny
Fringe Benefits, Los Angeles. Workshop: Clothes Minded
1999
Wings/Alas 6th Annual Latina Writers Workshop at the Social & Public Art Resource Center, Venice, CA. Taught creative writing: "Comedy y Cultura"
David A. Siqueiros/Judith F. Baca, Mural Project, UCLA Digital Mural Lab at The Social & Public Art Resource Center, Venice. Taught autobiographical writing to high school students associated with project
1998
Wings/Alas 5th Annual Latina Writers Workshop, Long Beach. Taught creative writing: "Comedy y Cultura"
1995
Outwrite: The 5th National Lesbian & Gay Writers Conference, Boston, MA. Panelist: "The Body As Stage & Money Changes Everything"
1994
GLAAD LA Symposium Panelist, "Projected Images: Queer Performance, Identity and Culture"
12th Annual Los Angeles International Gay and Lesbian Film and Video Festival. Panelist, "Reel Ranchera Roundtable"
1993
Performance Through The Queer Latino Experience, Theatre Offensive, Boston. Autobiographical lecture & performance workshop
Gay and Lesbian Center, Los Angeles. Panelist, "Lesbian Labels"
1992
1st Annual National Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization Conference, Houston. Panelist, "Art as a Tool for Personal Empowerment"
PRODUCER OF ART & PERFORMANCE EVENTS
2004
Hombres Talking About Life, Sex & Sangre, evening of monologues by Latino performers. Producer, director, promoter & MC. Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica
2000
Board of Directors and Chair of VIVA, Lesbian & Gay Latino Artists from 1992-2000. Produced the following events listed below with this organization:
1999
VIVA 2000: Last Art Sale of the Century, Los Angeles
ART/SLAM, Los Angeles. Hosted Art Auction and Spoken Word event
1998
Chicks & Salsa, Multimedia Latina Lesbian Event, The Village, LA Gay & Lesbian Center. Produced with Dyan Garza and also MCed
1997
Chicks & Salsa, Multimedia Latina Lesbian Event, Rudolfo's Night Club, Los Angeles. Produced with Dyan Garza and also MCed
Words & Pictures: New Children's Books by Dyan Garza, Beyond Baroque, Venice. Hosted exhibit
Student Slam, Latino Student Writers, Bienestar Organization, Pomona. MC
Student Slam, Latino Student Writers, Beyond Baroque, Venice. Produced & MCed
1996
"Chat With Monica: The Groovy New Talk Show", Chicks & Salsa, Beyond Baroque, Venice. Produced w/Dyan Garza and hosted show
1995
QUEER Hombres Talking About Life, Sex and Sangre, An Evening of Gay Latino Writers & Performers Beyond Baroque, Venice
Produced & MCed
Fierce Tongues, 3 Day Festival of Latina Artists, Highways, Santa Monica. Co-produced with Luis Alfaro, Sponsored by a grant from the city of Santa Monica
1994
Fierce Tongues, 3 Day Festival of Latina Artists, Highways, Santa Monica. Co-produced with Luis Alfaro, Sponsored by a grant from the city of Santa Monica
Chicks and Salsa, Multimedia Latina Lesbian Event, West Hollywood Auditorium. Produced with Dyan Garza & MCed
Raza and Rhinestones, Queer Latino Cabaret, Atlas Night Club, Los Angeles
1993
Raza and Rhinestones, Queer Latino Cabaret, Atlas Night Club, Los Angeles. Produced & MCed
Yan Maria Castro Exhibit, Grassy Knoll Coffee House, Los Angeles. Produced with Dyan Garza
Chicks and Salsa, Multimedia Latina Lesbian Event, West Hollywood Auditorium. Produced with Dyan Garza and MCed
1992
The Illustrative Work of Dyan Garza, VIVA Gallery, Los Angeles. Produced & Hosted
Chicks and Salsa, Multimedia Latina Lesbian Event, West Hollywood Auditorium. Produced with Dyan Garza & Mced
FILM & TELEVISION
2004
RACE IS THE PLACE,
PBS Documentary about performers of color who use the concept of “race” in their work. Producers: Paradigm Productions
1998
ABC 11 O'clock News, San Antonio. Featured segment of "Greetings From A Queer Senorita" performed at Esperanza, Peace & Justice Center
1996
IN THE BAG, Independent film, Lauren Malkasian & Amy Lemisch Producers. One of many featured women: Phillis Diller, Sandra Bernhard, Congresswoman Molinari, Jayne Meadows, Carol Kane, Roma Maffia and others, documentary about women and their purses.
1996
Dave Coz Music Video
1992
LIFE & TIMES, series, Arthur Dong Producer & Director, PBS. 10 minute documentary on my show "Latin Lezbo Comic"
Santa Monica Festival 1992, Santa Monica City TV. Featured segments of my show and interview
RADIO
2004
The Morning Show, 90.7 KPFK, Southern California
Featured segment, promoting show: Get Your Feet Wet
IMRU, Lesbian and Gay Radio, 90.7 KPFK, Southern California
Featured segment, promoting show: Hombres Talking About Life, Sex & Sangre
1999
IMRU, Lesbian and Gay Radio, 90.7 KPFK, Southern California
Interview about my work
1998
Postcards From Atzlan, 90.7 KPFK, Southern California
Interview for announcement of show Chicks & Salsa
IMRU, Lesbian and Gay Radio, 90.7 KPFK, Southern California
Interview for announcement of reading of my play Clock
1997
Chat with Monica, Talk Show, 19th Annual Queer Radio Day, 90.7 KPFK