So far, 2009 has been a strange, strange year - wonderful in many ways. In January, I gave birth to my daughter, and I spend every day marveling at how a human being can be so tiny, so sweet, and so utterly delightful. She is lots of fun, with a beautiful crooked smile and lots of opinions about theatrical choices. Okay, I know I am a proud mama and therefore not a reliable source for information about how my child is so totally amazing and ahead of the curve, but I have been taking her to design and production meetings since she was three weeks old and she always laughs or screeches at the most appropriate times, as if voicing her opinion about whether or not we should paint the trees blue or have a particular character wear a tattoo. No matter what, I hope that by growing up in the theater she will learn to love performance, and all its potentials, as much as I do.

The beginning of my new life as a mother also marks the end of an era for me. After nine years, I've stepped down as the co-Artistic Director of Teatro Luna, and am in the process of moving Restaurant Spanish elsewhere. I've been absolutely heartbroken about this decision, but I know it is for the best. I spent almost a decade working to make sure that Teatro Luna would be an institution beyond my own work, and it is absolutely to that point, with loads of new programming, paid staff, and accolades up the wazoo. I'm proud of our work and proud of the legacy I'm leaving - Chicago's first and only all-Latina theater company is going strong! Of course, as co-founder of the company I'm staying on the board, and still in everyone's hair, but I'm also looking forward to new work that explores the relationship between racial and ethnic groups, work that feels urgent at a time when so many are trumpeting a post-racist era (yeah right). And I'm excited about new collaborations exploring the intersection of poetry and theater - my longtime loves finally married. Details about all of this coming soon. Given my track record in updating this blog, we can assume that "soon" really means "eventually." On that note, the baby is awake and making herself known. I guess there's a changing table in my future!!!!!