Mami

Mami (formerly Mamacha del Carmen) draws inspiration from Victoria Santa Cruz’s spoken word poem, Me Gritaron Negra! This solo performance delves into intergenerational curses between the mothers and daughters of my family tree.

Development History
The first draft of Mami was written under Factory Theatre’s 2017/2018 training enhancement program, The Foundry led by Nina Lee Aquino. The workshop reading was directed by Himanshu Sitlani and performed by Ngabo Nabea, April Leung and athena kaitlin trihn. 

While attending the National Theatre School of Canada, from 2018 to 2021, discoveries were made during a solo performance class directed by Rose Plotek with dramaturgical support from Ann-Marie MacDonald. 

Further advancements were unearthed while participating in a micro-residency with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre’s 2024 Emerging Creators Unit, conducted by Stephen Jackman-Torkoff.

Moreover, developments persisted through the 2024/2025 IATI Theater’s international Play Development Program, Cimientos hosted by Guillermo Severiche.

Production History
Mami was first produced for the 2024 Rhubarb Festival, as a work-in-progress, at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre on February 8th with the following cast and crew:

Playwright/Performer - isi bhakhomen
Director - desirée leverenz
Dramaturg - Kalale Dalton-Lutale
Sound Designer - Alejandra Nuñez
Assistant Sound Designer - Mathew Robert-Nuñez
Festival Lighting Designer - Steph Raposo
Cultural Consultant - Maritza Uculmana-Falcón

Another, one-night only, work-in-progress, presentation was performed as part of the 2024 Emerging Creators Unit showcase at the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre’s Queer Pride Festival on June 4th with the following cast and creative team: 

Playwright/Performer - isi bhakhomen
Director - desirée leverenz
Dramaturg - Kalale Dalton-Lutale
Sound Designer - Alejandra Nuñez
Assistant Sound Designer - Mathew Robert-Nuñez
Choreographer - Jocelyn Bermudez
Festival Lighting Designer - Darren Shaen
Mentor - Stephen Jackman-Torkoff
Outside Eyes - Sebastian Urmom & Heddy Graterol
Cultural Consultant - Maritza Uculmana-Falcón

A full staged reading of the play will be performed in June (2025) for the Cimientos Festival at IATI Theater in New York City.

Support & Recognition
Received The Elliott Hayes Playwright Development Fund, Stratford Festival, 2022
Received OAC Recommender Grants from Aluna and Factory Theatre
3rd Place, New Play Contest, Toronto Fringe, 2025