Being born and raised, and still living in Puerto Rico, the only trips I took to NYC were through the lenses of television programs and movies. I had a lot in my head of what it would be like. My “imagination supplied what my eye could not reach.”
However, in February 2018, I was able to lay all of my dreams to rest and enjoy the real experience of New York City. It was wonderful. For the reading, the group of actors were of excellent talent and heart. I was blessed to have Luis Salgado as the director of my piece. Having a fellow Puerto Rican as part of the team meant that he understood my vision even more, and together we would be able to set the scenario, the rhythm and the heart of the piece.
The day came when the amazing actors, the director, the producer and myself, got together, not to rehearse, but to present to the public my writing. Through that hour and a half, I saw a group of strangers attentive to every word that came out of the actors. I saw their reactions, heard their laughter, and shared their shock and emotions. I knew then and there that for a brief moment, they were moved by my words. And that’s what writing is all about (at least for me it is); we present to the world our thoughts, opinions and perspective through words because we know that they can move and possibly change others.
As C. M. Woodhouse once wrote: “In the last hundred years enough has happened to justify us in believing that the pen’s response to the challenge of force is at least not ludicrous and hopeless; indeed it is perhaps the one serious hope we have.” Of course, he was talking about Orwell’s Animal Farm, but I think it can be applied here as well. As writers, the pen is our weapon and with it we can bring the message of strength, unity and bravery— which is exactly what the Bluestone Project wants us to see. A basic, simple and powerful way we can unite a divided nation is through words, through the pen. So after this experience, I say that we continue to write; continue to use the pen.
Hadasa Mercado Cortes’ CHECO, ALBANY was presented as part of The Bluestone Project’s season on Feb 15, 2018 in Manhattan Theater Club Studios. You can read more about the season here.
The Bluestone Project 