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| "Maldiciones de La Malinche" (The Curses of Malinche): by Ike Vasquez. How do we begin to rupture the lies and distortions written about us? How do we undermine the authority of the written word with the authenticity of the spoken word? This is a play giving voice to a woman whose historic voice is lost: La Malinche. La Malinche is a native woman who became Cortes' interpreter, diplomat, strategist, lover and mother of his son. Betrayed by Cortes and accursed by her people, La Malinche emerges from the shreds of history to speak. In 1522 Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire with the invaluable aid of the Indian woman, La Malinche, who became his interpreter, diplomat, strategist, lover and mother of his son. She is loathed in Mexican culture as traitress, carnal collaborator, mother of bastards; the mestizos who bore the agony of Spanish colonialism. |
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| Her story remains distorted, mute or transmuted into the anguished wail of La Llorona (a figure from Mexican folklore who is said in a "moment of insanity" to have drowned her own children & who now haunts rivers and waterways, especially after dark... wailing...searching for her lost children.) | |
| La Malinche is a troubling figure in Mexican and Latin American cultural history. Despised
as a traitress, this young Indian woman was translator and lover to the Conquistador, Cortes. But betrayal haunts
her, as she too is abandoned by Cortes. Her chronicler, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, writes another version, a Malinche
most unreal, most unwomanly. This drama is a play of passionate voices speaking from their agony and astonishment
seeking the truth of their souls. The production includes a post-performance conversation that works to unpack the complex cultural texture of this production. During this conversation, La Malinche may be stirred to speak once again. |
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| "With a voracious, maddening energy, Vasquez delivered a powerful monologue"
- Paul Samra, Kalamazoo Gazette "The caliber of these performers contributed immensely to DePauw University's Hispanic Heritage Month. The creativity, talent, passion, enthusiasm and knowledge for their art enlightened all who attended their performances. I have gained special insight into the historical heritage of our Hispanic community as well as the passion that drives Magical Rain Theaterworks and, in particular, Irene Vasquez to do their work." - Frank Sanchez, Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs, Depauw University |
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| Fee: $800 plus travel |
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