Join BMoCA and Motus Theater for an unforgettable performance by monologists Kiara Chavez and Cristian Solano Córdova with musical accompaniment by Spirit of Grace to celebrate BMoCA’s spring Present Box exhibitions by Cindy Loya and Victor Escobedo. Chavez and Córdova will share their personal stories of living in the cross hairs of U.S. immigration policy. Acclaimed singers Spirit of Grace, of Flobots fame, will offer a musical response to each story.
This performance celebrates two consecutive Present Box exhibitions this spring, Motus + Cindy Loya: Returning Home from April 13 – 30 and Motus + Victor Escobedo: A Dim Light from May 11 – 29. Cindy Loya and Victor Escobedo have been paired with UndocuAmerica monologists Kiara Chávez and Cristian Solano-Córdova, respectively, to create two exhibitions that aim to de-escalate divisive beliefs surrounding immigration policies by amplifying intergenerational, family-centric narratives through alternative media, including quilting and puppetry. Presented in partnership with Motus Theater.
About Kiara Chávez - Motus Theater UndocuAmerica Monologist
Kiara Chávez migrated to Denver with her family at the age of four from Colima, Mexico. Kiara works as Community Outreach Associate for the City of Denver Parks & Recreation. She graduated from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business with a BA in Business Administration. Her experience as an immigrant fuels her passion for social justice.
Cristian Solano Córdova - Motus Theater UndocuAmerica Monologist
Cristian Solano-Córdova is a Denver, Colorado based DACA recipient. He was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and migrated to Denver with his mother and baby sister when he was three years-old. He began working for the immigrant community in 2015 when he ran and won an election to become the first DACAmented Student Body President at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. He currently works as the Communications Director with the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA).
About Spirit of Grace
Spirit of Grace (musical response) is an a capella choir of two sisters (Christin Grant, and Larea Edwards) who regularly tour with Colorado’s most famous experimental rap rock band, the Flobots, as its core backup singers. They have a particularly pronounced presence in the Flobots album NOENEMIES. With their original songs, Spirit of Grace hopes to bring encouragement, hope, and inspiration to those who hear them sing.
About Motus Theater
The mission of Motus Theater is to create original theater to facilitate dialogue on critical issues of our time. We aim to use the power of art to build alliances across diverse segments of our community and country. Motus works directly with leaders living on the frontlines of violence to develop artfully crafted personal narratives about their experiences. Motus is currently touring two projects: 1. UndocuAmerica (2012) aims to interrupt the dehumanizing portrayals of immigrants by elevating the stories of people who are undocumented, and encouraging thoughtful engagement on the challenges facing the undocumented community and the assets immigrants bring to our country 2. JustUs (2019) supports community leaders who are impacted by carceral systems to share artfully crafted autobiographical monologues that expose the devastating impact of the criminal legal system and inspire action toward a vision of true justice. Since premiering at the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice Conference in 2019 in front of 1600 people, Motus’ JustUs monologues have served as keynotes for ten national and international conferences and have been read by law enforcement, district attorneys, DOC staff, legislators, and other Colorado state and community leaders. Motus is currently developing TRANSformative Stories with transgender and non-binary leaders. More information at motustheater.org.
Image credit: Kiara Chávez (top left), Cristian Solano-Córdova (right), and Christin Grant and Larea Edwards of Spirit of Grace (bottom left).