Representation Isn’t a Trend—It’s the Future of the Arts

When I choreographed La Llorona, I knew it might catch people off guard. A Latin American folk legend, told through classical ballet? In Spanish, with live music, grounded movement, and real cultural nuance? That’s not what most audiences expect.

And that’s exactly why we did it.

As a Latina Artistic Director, I’m not here to decorate ballet with cultural “moments.” I’m here to help reshape what ballet—and the arts more broadly—can be. Representation isn’t a trend. It’s the future.

“Representation isn’t a trend. It’s the future.”

When kids of color see a story that looks like their own brought to life onstage—not as a token gesture, but as the centerpiece—it does something deep. It tells them: you belong in this story.

When donors, boards, and audiences support that kind of work, they’re not just checking a diversity box. They’re choosing relevance. They’re investing in a future that includes more voices, more languages, more layers of meaning.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about perspective.
It’s about building a shared creative vocabulary that actually reflects the world we live in.

And let’s be real—there’s no shortage of talent in marginalized communities. What’s missing is opportunity, trust, and a seat at the table when the big decisions get made.

I’m proud to be part of a movement of artists, producers, choreographers, and directors who aren’t asking for permission anymore. We’re telling our stories. We’re choreographing new spaces. And we’re creating work that brings people together—not because it’s safe, but because it’s honest.

The arts don’t thrive by staying narrow. They thrive by opening wide.
That’s how beauty expands. That’s how stories endure.

So no—we’re not going back. We’re moving forward.
And if you're looking for the future of the arts—it’s already here.