”Your individual voice is important and deserves to be seen and heard… and if it's not for you, do it for your ancestors.”

— Adriana Gonzales

Summary

What happens when campfire stories collide with the stage? Adriana Gonzalez — performer, choreographer, playwright, and stuntwoman — brings 15+ years of training and a lifetime of Mexican and Indigenous heritage into every performance she creates. In this episode, Adriana and Rohan explore what it truly means to be a storyteller: not bound by genre, not silenced by history, and not afraid to reclaim words that were meant to diminish. From choreographing a quinceañera to writing plays about undocumented struggles in the Southwest, Adriana's work is rooted in one conviction: if the stories don't get told, they disappear. This conversation is for anyone who has ever wondered whether their culture belongs on stage — it does, and Adriana shows exactly how to put it there. In this insightful interview, Adriana Gonzalez shares her unique perspective on storytelling through movement, her cultural roots, and how they influence her work in theater and dance. Discover how she integrates Southwest and Mexican heritage into her performances, redefines traditional terms, and emphasizes the importance of authentic cultural expression in the arts.

Keywords

theater, dance, storytelling, cultural roots, Mexican heritage, movement, performance, theater arts, cultural expression, storytelling in performance

Key topics

• Cultural influence on performance
• Integration of music and movement in theater
• Reframing traditional terms like 'Hihade Mi Madre'
• The importance of storytelling in performance arts
• Using movement to connect with audiences

Key frameworks

• Cultural storytelling in performance
• Movement as a storytelling tool
• Reframing cultural terms

Action items

• Embrace your cultural roots in your art
• Use movement to tell stories beyond words
• Trust your audience to interpret your work

Titles

• Reimagining Theater: The Power of Movement and Culture
• How Southwest and Mexican Roots Shape Modern Performance

Sound bites

”Sharing our stories keeps our history alive.”

”Embrace your voice and tell your story.”

”Thank you for having me on this journey.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Adriana Gonzalez

01:07 Cultural Influences on Storytelling

03:57 Embracing Identity in Performance

06:56 The Role of Music in Theater

11:08 Movement as a Storytelling Tool

14:57 The Importance of Physical Expression

18:52 Audience Engagement through Movement

24:05 Bringing the Southwest to Life

28:01 Empowering Latinx Voices

30:58 Advice for Young Artists

Guest links

Website – https://adrianagonzalez.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/adrianagonzalez