“Someone paid for you to be here.” -Joy DeGruy
In March of 2018, I was asked to facilitate a story circle with Latinx members of our community: an infinity circle, with just us. Octavio Solis, a long-time friend, was in the process of writing the play Quixote Nuevo.
As a facilitator, I try to do two things: hold a space that is safe enough for folks to be in depth of themselves and their community, and keep it moving to create a story in the space with a beginning, middle, and end. I think deeply about the beginning and the ending. The middle, now that I’m thinking about it, isn’t really up to me.
When walking into the Cal Shakes rehearsal space, the cast was wrapping up a read-through. I hugged Octavio and he said, “this play is cast with all-Spanish speaking Latino/a actors.” I said “that’s amazing” because it is. He was still writing the play. We went over the questions for the story circle and changed some based on what he was exploring.
As people began to arrive, some actors stayed, as well as Octavio and the director, KJ Sanchez. People began to filter in of different ages. It was an intergenerational space. My 10-year old son was doing homework on the side. Throughout the evening he would ask me questions, tell me he’s done with his reading and ask if he could get on the Ipad. It’s the little things I remember. The Spanish interpreter, Sylvia, and I met. We decided she would sit with the Spanish speakers and I would pause to make sure the facilitation was clear. I remember her being kind and grounded, kind of like someone I already knew. The chairs were set in a large circle for 30 to 40 people.

[Image Description: A group of about 30 people, sitting in a large white room with windows and high ceilings. They are seated in 6 circles on green chairs, and are engaged in conversation.]
![[Image Description: A line of 7 people seated and facing the camera. Two women, Anna and Sylvia, are standing in front of the line of chairs and talking. Anna, on the left, has dark brown, curly hair and is wearing a purple top and black pants. Sylvia, on the right, has short grey hair and is wearing a bright purple ankle length dress.]](http://calshakes.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CalShakes_03282018_LHR_017-1-1024x683.jpg)
[Image Description: A line of 7 people seated and facing the camera. Two women, Anna and Sylvia, are standing in front of the line of chairs and talking. Anna, on the left, has dark brown, curly hair and is wearing a purple top and black pants. Sylvia, on the right, has short grey hair and is wearing a bright purple ankle length dress.]
Listening
Respect and take care of yourself, your struggle, your joy and your story.

[Image Description: A large white post-it note that has community agreements written. It reads: “What we need: Listening; Respect and take care of yourself, your struggle, your joy and your story. Lo que neccesitamos: Eschuchar; Respetarse y cuidarse a sí mismola, su luche, su alegría y su historia.”]

[Image Description: Anna Maria Luera stands facing away from the camera, and writes on a large white post-it note on the wall. The post-it reads: “Our Story: bringing gifts to Mexico; Abuelita; Making food without a recipe.”]

[Image Description: groups of about 6 people sit in green chairs in small circles spread throughout a room with white floors and large windows with sunlight coming through. There are 5 groups pictured, and people are talking and listening to each other.]

[Image Description: A group of about of about 6 people in focus are seated. Everyone holds one hand over their heart and the other hand over their stomach. They all face off towards their right-hand side.]
Other questions included, for elders in the room:
- What has been one of the best things you’ve discovered about being seniors?
- What is one of the hardest things?
- What do you think you have lost as a result of aging?
For younger folks in the room:
- What do you remember most fondly about the elders in your family/families?
- And for elders, too: What do you remember most fondly about the seniors in your lives?
The elders chatted about having each other and how important they are to each other. I couldn’t hear all the conversations, and wish I did.

[Image Description: a group of 3 elders sits and talks with Sylvia. One man in focus is wearing khaki pants, a red long-sleeve shirt with a grey vest over it, and a black baseball cap. His arms rest on a black cane.]
I have to be honest, when asked to write this blog I couldn’t remember what I changed that evening in the facilitation. I couldn’t remember if I got to all the questions I planned to ask. That’s not the part I remember. I remember the stillness and pieces of stories. I remember blood and my friend, who I consider my brother, sitting with watery eyes. I remember laughter and an elder looking so elegant and wearing heels. I remember thinking life goals. I remember a woman speaking in English and switching into Spanish so beautifully the way my family would when I was growing up at my Nana’s. I remember a young man saying we need this and we don’t do this enough and stories that reminded me of my brother-in-law who passed from cancer and the week I spent with him before he died. I remember the thank yous and the gratitude people showed to each other near the end of the evening. I also remember how everyone did a surprise, joyful clap when we introduced the writer, director, and actors in the room. That is one thing I knew was going to happen. I remember thinking, when we introduce the folks from the play, they’ll be excited to see the show, something to look forward to. That’s how we ended it.

[Image Description: Anna Maria Luera looking directly into the camera. She has brown curly hair, and is wearing a red top, a black long sleeve cardigan and red lipstick. She is smiling widely and holds a crystal pendant she is wearing towards the camera.]
Anna Maria Luera is a mother, partner, theatre artist and youth worker. She is a familia company member with Campo Santo Theatre. Currently, she is the Senior Program Manager at Destiny Arts. Anna is the co-creator of the Rysing Womyn’s project, a theatre project that uses ritual theatre, poetry, storytelling and political education to tell stories of young women of color. She was a performing artist with the Love Balm for my SpiritChild Project, a theatre of testimony workshop series and performance for and about mothers who have lost children to systemic violence. Anna believes that when we are actively engaged in our own creative growth and vision for the world, we not only positively transform and heal ourselves, but our communities as well.
All photos (except for Anna Maria Luera’s headshot) taken by L. Herrada-Rios.