On Writing : A chance of a lifetime... by Jessica Marie Padilla

Austin Latino New Work Festival May 16-18 Austin, Texas Pre-production I have had the pleasure of being cast in Austin's 3rd Annual Latino New Work Festival. This year's festival features three new original plays from three Latino playwrights: "El Jardin" by Ariana Mendez "Quincea-What?" by Caroline Dobson Chavez "Petra's Pastorela" by Rupert Reyes While the festival gains exposure, a co-founder of Teatro Vivo!, Joanne Reyes, tells us what the festival aims to do for Austin and its playwrights. "It's not all about the acting. At its core, The Austin Latino New Work Festival is about bringing the Latino story to the stage," she says at Teatro Vivo!'s introductory dinner, 'La Cena'. 'La Cena' is a chance to for all those involved in the festival to meet and share ideas about the project. Playwrights chosen for this year's festival were chosen by a University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance council, Teatro Vivo! producers, and in association with ScriptWorks, a playwright development organization that promotes the enhancement of new work. Interest in the festival by the University of Texas is specifically from the MFA Program, Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities. Some directors and Dramaturgs for this year's selected plays are primarily a part of this diverse intensive. Among attendee's at 'La Cena' was Christi Moore from Scriptworks. I've had the pleasure of working with Christi during Austin's 2013 Frontera Fest, produced by Hyde Park Theatre and hosted by local theatre spaces like The Salvage Vanguard Theatre. Promoting new work, and making important decisions about new theatre in Austin is just what she does. Teatro Vivo!, one of the only bilingual theatre companys in the state, is continuing to wow and engage audiences from all social and cultural histories with original productions like, "The Boiler Room," "La Victima," and "Cura," a play written by a friend of mine, Arthur Marroquin when he was still in college. But of particular interest in the community are Teatro Vivo!'s "Petra" productions. Artistic Director, Rupert Reyes has written a series of now four Petra plays; about the lives and events of the people in Las Flores, Texas. With memorable characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and that warm hispanic nostalgia, Reyes' plays are in-demand in Austin communities and surrounding areas. As for me, I'm lucky to be a part of such a festival, and am honored to play Tina Tamayo in Rupert Reyes' "Petra's Pastorela". At the time of the audition, I was unfamiliar with the 'Petra' following, but quickly learned of the responsibly of playing Tina. Driving most of the action, the character of Tina Tamayo is the motivation for the play's plot. Agreeing, Rupert Reyes, describes the play as "Tina's play." The play demands big changes from Tina, and some important, much needed questions are brought to her table. How she handles the pressure as a woman, a daughter, a Latina, a business owner, and leader in the Las Flores community are among the qualities that make this character dynamic and interesting. Perhaps the most important thing Tina does for her audience is serving them with a chance to be represented, a chance to be a vessel for the diverse Latino community, and a chance to celebrate the unique things that make us individuals.