It is hard to overlook the plethora of current scholarship, which incorporates ideas related to difference, "otherness," and multiple identity. These ideas seem to resonate in all contemporarily edified work. In relating theoretical discourse with Latino/a culture and performance in a global context, I was interested in exploring how specific themes like border/borderness played-out in individual and contemporary performance-art work. I was curious to ascertain whether past and present models held true for artists currently performing, and how individual artists, might describe their own work in relation to the topics of language, identity, audience and all in relation to place.

Here and There is the outcome of my inquiry. The title suggests not only the physical and mental passage between space/ nations/countries, but also the ad hoc nature of cultural endeavors. My own work for this project, a small sampling of individuals, ideas, of the bits and pieces assembled over the course of a semester, lends itself to the title, as do the notions of travel, simultaneity and crossing. It is a heterogeneous combination of multiple mind frames, languages, and often-conflicting categories, it is also located, not in a particularly definable place, yet undeniably signals a situation, an approximate gesture to particular notions and vicinities. Each artist has experience in life and work in places outside the United States, all were born in either the Caribbean Islands or Latin America (Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina).

What is contained in this work is a nascent attempt to tie together different strands of contemporary Latino performance, grounded in the terrain of New York City. In addition, I have included a sampling of the work and resources of the individuals interviewed, in appreciation of their artistry, and in recognition of their willingness to contribute to this project. I thank Josefina Báez, René Buch, Susana Cook, Waddys Jaquez, and Alina Troyano (Carmelita Tropicana) for their copius addition to my thoughts, and for their collaborative effort in making this project possible. I admire each of these artists tremendously, for their hard work and for their sincerity. They have treated me with kindness and respect, and for that I humbly give my gratitude.

A standard Set of interview questions were posed to participating individuals, however the process is not rigid, and the order of the questions and their wording may have differed.  Each individual, in their own way, responded to this series of questions. 

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