Since 2010, Motus Theater has been sharing stories to bring the voices and experiences of communities on the frontlines of violence to center stage. “The stories we tell construct our identities,” said Rita Valente-Quinn, Producing Executive Director. “They go beyond entertainment to enlighten, inspire, and catalyze action. Shared stories about the personal, the communal and the national all shape our own understanding of the world and the deep-seated power dynamics that govern us.”
Motus Theater produces work that responds to the needs of the Boulder community and beyond. “Rocks Karma Arrows was Motus Theater’s founding piece. Kirsten Wilson, Motus’ founder and Artistic Executive Director, created it in response to racial attacks that were happening in Boulder at the time. The work brings to light the history of Boulder through the lens of race and class,” said Valente-Quinn. “From there, Motus created One Action Project, in which Motus collaborated with many organizations that came together to talk about the history of Boulder that was not being discussed. Immigration is another one of our focus areas, and right after DACA was passed we began developing and touring monologues created in collaboration with and performed by young undocumented Latinx community leaders who are DACA recipients.”
Cristian Solano-Cordova had been heavily involved with immigrant rights work prior to joining Motus Theater’s UndocuAmerica Project in 2018 and telling his own story. “Writing monologues is a transformative process,” said Solano-Cordova. “There is so much trauma around immigration – but by sharing our stories, we can take the bricks of trauma and set them down. It’s been really healing to see ourselves reflected in each other, and it has become a very powerful form of advocacy. Arts and culture provide deep ways to engage with others and it can lead to legislative change.”
Since then, Motus launched two other monologue projects that are also touring: JustUs shares powerful monologues from formerly incarcerated people to spark conversations and about true justice and criminal legal reform; TRANSformative Stories brings center stage the stories of transgender and nonbinary leaders about their experiences of negotiating oppression and liberation.
Motus Theater is a Boulder Arts Commission Cultural Grant recipient. “Many of our projects have been supported by Boulder Arts Commission Cultural Grants, either in the form of project grants or general operating grants,” said Valente-Quinn. “This funding has played a critical role in us being able to do our work and give back to the community in an effort to move us toward greater equity and justice.”
During this year’s Boulder Arts Week, Motus Theater is hosting two special events including playback improv theater and a tranquil violin performance from Anthony Salvo. “Motus Playback Improv Theater is a recent project for us,” said Valente-Quinn. “The audience tells a story, and actors then re-enact that story back to the audience. The form is funny, profoundly humanizing, and compassionate. It’s capable of encapsulating the contradictions of life in a concise way, and it’s quite powerful for making us more aware of the diversity of experiences that make up our community. By telling stories, we recognize our shared humanity.”
For more information about Motus Theater and upcoming events and opportunities, visit their website at MotusTheater.org and follow them on social media @motustheater.
Image Credit: Motus Playback Improv Theater Ensemble in action: Deb Witzel, Alejandro Fuentes-Mena, Alexis Miles, Shelsea Ochoa, JR Kuo, & Astro Allison. © NJK Photography; courtesy of Motus Theater.