When we began the year, Teatro Luna was in a fairly precarious position. We were caught in-between stages of growth and had several organizational challenges to address. The past four years have been a roller coaster for this incredibly resilient organization. In 2008, on the heels of one of our biggest artistic successes: MACHOS, we stood on the precipice of breaking out and taking the nation by storm with our groundbreaking work– and we couldn’t have been more excited. We had doubled our operating budget in only two years, had sophisticated our administration enough to gain the amazing support of important foundations and sponsors, and had an ensemble of some of the best Latina actors in the country. We were ready for big things!Less than a year later we were on a new precipice: the departure of our co-founders who went on to pursue independent projects without succession plans in place. This overwhelming challenge almost forced Teatro Luna to close our doors– pero, NO!

Teatro Luna is bigger than any one person who is working for the organization. Those of us who remained knew how deeply this company and it’s work had touched people all around the country for 9 years. We knew we had the potential to really change lives. We knew we needed to find a way to make Teatro Luna a leading institute for New Work and a nationally recognized home for Latinas in the arts. We knew we wanted to be more than what we ever were or previously dreamed we could be.

So what does any smart Latina do when faced with a challenge? We put on some lipstick, our fiercest stilettos, and refuse to accept defeat. We put together an incredibly ambitious plan for the next five years. We recruited new talent. We established a bold, new leadership team. And we dared to dream bigger than ever before (dreams bigger than fitting into those skinny jeans again!). We redefined our goals, and went back to the original inspiration for our mission to think beyond our co-founders and continue the legacy. And we are proud to say we are no longer a personality-driven organization but a mission-driven one. 2011 has been a year of many small miracles made possible by the hard work and passion of our girls and beloved supporters.

The last two years have been all about taking risks– and needless to say some hard lessons have been learned along the way. Through trial and tribulation Teatro Luna deals with success and failure in our signature style: absolute grace.We’d love to take a moment now to share with you today where this company was, and where we are going, as we reflect on the journey of the past two years of Teatro Luna and those involved in this revolutionary organization. Without any gifts from funders or corporations Teatro Luna has:

• produced 3 brand new plays in two years
• produced 10 ten-minute plays written by 8 new Latina playwrights & directed by 8 new Latina Directors
• created two new audience & artist driven performance series that reach beyond traditional theatre: Our Noche Bohemia: Bajo La Luna Bella Performance Salon for Women of Color featuring acts from all performance genres & a coquettish Latina Comedy Series: Marimachas
• created the Coalition of Leaders & Theatres of Color inviting a diverse range of Theatres from all over Chicago to collectively explore solutions for shared issues of sustainability and reach for our national community of theatre for social change
• continued year-round, free arts education for young & adult Latinas through our Incubation Series
• provided professional development for Latinas interested in arts fundraising, non-profit management, and community activism, many of which have gone on to become successful non-profit professionals
• acquired our very own 2-theatre venue: Luna Central: An Art Center for New & Diverse Work

I am always asked what makes Teatro Luna different from the other 250+ Theatre companies in Chicago, and I can honestly reply with: Teatro Luna changes lives. Our mission uniquely positions us to reach beyond creating important and groundbreaking theatre; more than a Theatre company, we are a community organization that provides endless opportunities to youth, adult Latinas and Women of Color for artistic growth, training and professional development through our performances and community programming.So we ask you today to join us in our effort to use art to change lives. Every dollar received from you directly plays a part in providing a forum for artistic, social, political, and educational outreach into our communities.  Your contribution directly involves you in this collective effort.

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Mil Gracias,

Alexandra Meda 773.819.5862