Conscious Voices by Sonia Pasqual
I would like to thank some very important people who have made this devised ethnodrama a wonderful, valuable and memorable experience.
First, I would like to thank my ensemble for taking my invite to work on this project so seriously from the jump. Thank you Hannibal Callens, Yesined "Yesi" Ajete, Kristen Wheeler, Noelle Forestal, Kimberlee Smith, Franky Saavedra, and my Anonymous voice who contributed to the devising process that has shaped this whole performance. Our three months together manifested stories so relevant to American societal issues, here we are eight months later. The devised we create gives representation, inclusive, equity and diverse perspective in which we associate. The devising process was a safe space to explore the depths of our unfortunate experiences with discrimination, biases and racism. In the process of devising we became a family with the same vision threading together our struggle, fears, oppression and trauma into stories we can share with the world. This is why we speak up and share our voices now, to remove ourselves out of being paralyzed by fear, breaking free from the chrysalis which made us once feel hidden, but we chose to be ourselves more now than ever. Thank you to Sierra Goins for joining in the devising process as a consultant, assisting each one of us when we questioned the value of our story or voice, you were a beckon of support when we needed.
I have to thank the brilliant Rollins creative undergrad summer researcher team. The work you have done in such a minimized time frame is astounding. Your work, dedication and abilities has been a blessing every step of the way. Thank you to Margaret Stewart and Marianne DiQuattro, dramaturg's for helping me transform the script into what it has become, making me a playwright. I am honored to work alongside a Muslim director Ghina Fawaz and black lighting designer Jordan Lewis for the first time in my career. To the talented and most easy-going Nicole Ponce and Allison Stewart your personalities, talent, eye for detail, knowledge and pizzazz has taken this play beyond what I could have ever imagined. I have to thank Dr. Marianne DiQuattro again for believing in the project at its infancy and trusting the ever-evolving creation process to unfold. I appreciate your support and will forever be grateful to have had this opportunity to work along side you in the Annie.
I would like to acknowledge the Department of Theatre & Dance for partially being a sponsor of the devised ethnodrama, Conscious Voices to use the stage and seating at the Annie Theatre. I would like to thank Complete Production Resources, CPR for the prompt audio equipment rental of the sound and mics for the show. And, I would like to thank Valencia College, Live Entertainment Design and Production program for the show support. I truly appreciate Kristin Abel, LEDP Program Chair and David "Ross" Rauschkolb LEDP Technical Director for helping me out when I needed it the most.
Lastly, I am honored to be the first black woman writer on the stage to bring diverse, inclusive and equitable topics in 2021.
All my gratitude,
Sonia Pasqual
First, I would like to thank my ensemble for taking my invite to work on this project so seriously from the jump. Thank you Hannibal Callens, Yesined "Yesi" Ajete, Kristen Wheeler, Noelle Forestal, Kimberlee Smith, Franky Saavedra, and my Anonymous voice who contributed to the devising process that has shaped this whole performance. Our three months together manifested stories so relevant to American societal issues, here we are eight months later. The devised we create gives representation, inclusive, equity and diverse perspective in which we associate. The devising process was a safe space to explore the depths of our unfortunate experiences with discrimination, biases and racism. In the process of devising we became a family with the same vision threading together our struggle, fears, oppression and trauma into stories we can share with the world. This is why we speak up and share our voices now, to remove ourselves out of being paralyzed by fear, breaking free from the chrysalis which made us once feel hidden, but we chose to be ourselves more now than ever. Thank you to Sierra Goins for joining in the devising process as a consultant, assisting each one of us when we questioned the value of our story or voice, you were a beckon of support when we needed.
I have to thank the brilliant Rollins creative undergrad summer researcher team. The work you have done in such a minimized time frame is astounding. Your work, dedication and abilities has been a blessing every step of the way. Thank you to Margaret Stewart and Marianne DiQuattro, dramaturg's for helping me transform the script into what it has become, making me a playwright. I am honored to work alongside a Muslim director Ghina Fawaz and black lighting designer Jordan Lewis for the first time in my career. To the talented and most easy-going Nicole Ponce and Allison Stewart your personalities, talent, eye for detail, knowledge and pizzazz has taken this play beyond what I could have ever imagined. I have to thank Dr. Marianne DiQuattro again for believing in the project at its infancy and trusting the ever-evolving creation process to unfold. I appreciate your support and will forever be grateful to have had this opportunity to work along side you in the Annie.
I would like to acknowledge the Department of Theatre & Dance for partially being a sponsor of the devised ethnodrama, Conscious Voices to use the stage and seating at the Annie Theatre. I would like to thank Complete Production Resources, CPR for the prompt audio equipment rental of the sound and mics for the show. And, I would like to thank Valencia College, Live Entertainment Design and Production program for the show support. I truly appreciate Kristin Abel, LEDP Program Chair and David "Ross" Rauschkolb LEDP Technical Director for helping me out when I needed it the most.
Lastly, I am honored to be the first black woman writer on the stage to bring diverse, inclusive and equitable topics in 2021.
All my gratitude,
Sonia Pasqual