Maria
Aponte – Performance Offerings & Workshops
As a performance artist I have two one-woman shows: Lagrimas De Mis Madres
I Will Not Be Silenced based on the writings of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, a 17th century Mexican poet, nun and feminist.
Lagrimas De Mis Madres by Maria Aponte a one-woman show.
Through poetry, prose and music Ms. Aponte tells the story of the women in her family. Their migration from Puerto Rico to New York City’s El Barrio, Ms. Aponte covers her family’s history from 1945 to the present. As each generation unfolds, the women tell of their dreams, hopes, aspirations and disappointments with life. With each passing decade the women pass down to the present generation their dreams and how those dreams unfold into a positive life. Lagrimas De Mis Madres ‘musical score was written and performed by percussionist, Mr. Chaco Ramirez. The performance is accompanied by live music by Mr. Ramirez. Total running time 1:20mins.
I Will Not Be Silenced a period piece based on the life of Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz. This is a 45-minute monologue based on Octavio Paz’s biography on Sor Juana called The Traps of Faith. Ms. Aponte gives her own interpretation of Sor Juana’s emotional challenge that she might have faced in preparing her famous letter The Response to the Archbishop of Mexico. Ms. Aponte addresses Sor Juana’s femininity, independence, defending her right as a woman, writer, and the consequences of losing those rights. I Will Not Be Silenced is combined with a workshop or a lecture with a Q&A for the audience either prior to the performance or after. Total running time 1:15min.
Poetry:
Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella: The Musical
This is a poetry performance piece based on my book, Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella.
Marketing Blurb
Yoruba chants, intimate portraits, slices of street life, the crossing of waters, and the power of a clothesline are only some of what you will savor in Maria Aponte’s evocative new book, Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella, a collection of her poems, prose and performance pieces—as well as a “fairy tale from da Bronx!” You’ll be sighing in appreciation and tapping your feet in recognition of Aponte’s personal journey and its embodiment in rich words, notable characters, and engaging rhythm. This is a book for the spirit-David Perez, author of Wow!
Lectures: “Latinos in New York Today: A Personal View Point.” “Latina Role Models: Abuela, Mami: and the Women Who Influence Us.”
Healing From Within Workshop
Facilitator: Maria Aponte
The Healing from within Workshop will focus on using the written word as a form of art to heal from some person, place or thing that someone has been struggling with. Through the written word the following areas will be explored: healing emotionally, spiritually and starting new journeys. The outcome will enable them to create a safe place where they can put on paper fears, hurt & pain. To be able to create a sacred writing space where they will not feel threatened. By using this form of art, the student can create a reference point to reflect and look at what they would like to change within themselves to better their personal journey.
The workshop will be in 2 sections.
Section One
Introduction: Ms. Aponte will give a talk on emotional healing and will use her book, Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella as part of the talk and read 1 or 2 poems from the book as an example. The focus of the talk will be how Ms. Aponte uses art as part of her healing process from life issues. Before the students are asked to journal there will be a10 minute mediation so students can be in a relaxed and welcoming environment before writing.
Section Two
Students will be encouraged to explore an area in their life that they would like to journal about. Students will be given time to write in their journals. Journaling should be for about 15 to 20 minutes
After journaling we will return as a group, if students want to share what they wrote about they can if not, that is fine. After sharing, students will be asked to write a short poem based on what they wrote in their journals. If students the feel comfortable in sharing their piece they can share their pieces with the group. The session will then close with another brief meditation session
Facilitator: Maria Aponte-Gonzalez is a performance artist, playwright and poet. Her work focuses on women’s issues and the process of healing to strengthen the spirit and wellbeing of the person.
The Healing from within Workshops have been given at:
La Finca del Sur South Bronx Women’s Community Farm, LaGuardia Community College and Hofstra University.
As a performance artist I have two one-woman shows: Lagrimas De Mis Madres
I Will Not Be Silenced based on the writings of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, a 17th century Mexican poet, nun and feminist.
Lagrimas De Mis Madres by Maria Aponte a one-woman show.
Through poetry, prose and music Ms. Aponte tells the story of the women in her family. Their migration from Puerto Rico to New York City’s El Barrio, Ms. Aponte covers her family’s history from 1945 to the present. As each generation unfolds, the women tell of their dreams, hopes, aspirations and disappointments with life. With each passing decade the women pass down to the present generation their dreams and how those dreams unfold into a positive life. Lagrimas De Mis Madres ‘musical score was written and performed by percussionist, Mr. Chaco Ramirez. The performance is accompanied by live music by Mr. Ramirez. Total running time 1:20mins.
I Will Not Be Silenced a period piece based on the life of Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz. This is a 45-minute monologue based on Octavio Paz’s biography on Sor Juana called The Traps of Faith. Ms. Aponte gives her own interpretation of Sor Juana’s emotional challenge that she might have faced in preparing her famous letter The Response to the Archbishop of Mexico. Ms. Aponte addresses Sor Juana’s femininity, independence, defending her right as a woman, writer, and the consequences of losing those rights. I Will Not Be Silenced is combined with a workshop or a lecture with a Q&A for the audience either prior to the performance or after. Total running time 1:15min.
Poetry:
Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella: The Musical
This is a poetry performance piece based on my book, Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella.
Marketing Blurb
Yoruba chants, intimate portraits, slices of street life, the crossing of waters, and the power of a clothesline are only some of what you will savor in Maria Aponte’s evocative new book, Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella, a collection of her poems, prose and performance pieces—as well as a “fairy tale from da Bronx!” You’ll be sighing in appreciation and tapping your feet in recognition of Aponte’s personal journey and its embodiment in rich words, notable characters, and engaging rhythm. This is a book for the spirit-David Perez, author of Wow!
Lectures: “Latinos in New York Today: A Personal View Point.” “Latina Role Models: Abuela, Mami: and the Women Who Influence Us.”
Healing From Within Workshop
Facilitator: Maria Aponte
The Healing from within Workshop will focus on using the written word as a form of art to heal from some person, place or thing that someone has been struggling with. Through the written word the following areas will be explored: healing emotionally, spiritually and starting new journeys. The outcome will enable them to create a safe place where they can put on paper fears, hurt & pain. To be able to create a sacred writing space where they will not feel threatened. By using this form of art, the student can create a reference point to reflect and look at what they would like to change within themselves to better their personal journey.
The workshop will be in 2 sections.
Section One
Introduction: Ms. Aponte will give a talk on emotional healing and will use her book, Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella as part of the talk and read 1 or 2 poems from the book as an example. The focus of the talk will be how Ms. Aponte uses art as part of her healing process from life issues. Before the students are asked to journal there will be a10 minute mediation so students can be in a relaxed and welcoming environment before writing.
Section Two
Students will be encouraged to explore an area in their life that they would like to journal about. Students will be given time to write in their journals. Journaling should be for about 15 to 20 minutes
After journaling we will return as a group, if students want to share what they wrote about they can if not, that is fine. After sharing, students will be asked to write a short poem based on what they wrote in their journals. If students the feel comfortable in sharing their piece they can share their pieces with the group. The session will then close with another brief meditation session
Facilitator: Maria Aponte-Gonzalez is a performance artist, playwright and poet. Her work focuses on women’s issues and the process of healing to strengthen the spirit and wellbeing of the person.
The Healing from within Workshops have been given at:
La Finca del Sur South Bronx Women’s Community Farm, LaGuardia Community College and Hofstra University.
Artist Gallery