We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nora Montañez Patterson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nora below.
Nora , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
In my 20+ years as a theater artist in the Twin Cities, I have been blessed with many meaningful artistic experiences. I have worked with theater companies like Mixed Blood Theater, Children’s Theater Company, Pillsbury House + Theater and many more. I have directed new works at Stages Theater Company and Exposed Brick Theater and have had my own plays produced. I have built a Bilingual Theater program with Minneapolis Public School and created a self reclaiming arts pedagogy for artists called Decolonizing the Artist. Meaningful projects are also created in part by artists have been great collaborators and I have had the honor of being in those spaces. Recently, I was approached by Mixed Blood Theater to write a piece in response to Operation Metro Surge. For those who do not live in the Twin Cities, Operation Metro Surge was one of the largest operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) primarily targeting our immigrant communities. As an immigrant and mother, it was really important to me to document this most recent tragic American history. So, when this commission came through I knew that I wanted to speak from my personal experience. What was birthed was a piece that emphasizes the paradox of holding anguish and joy when celebrating your child’s birthday at the peak of Metro Surge. My piece, “Child born…”was a part of an anthology published in American Theater Magazine along with other artists. Seeing my piece published in a national theater magazine makes my 18 year old younger self go wild with joy.
That…is my most meaningful project yet!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
So, both my parents are artists. My mother was a dancer and singer and my father is a musician who continues to perform when he can. My parents met while recording an album in Peru. When they immigrated to the States they continued performing all throughout New York City and New Jersey. I grew up watching my parents perform in dance halls, theaters and restaurants. When they got on stage it was like they were different people. I loved seeing that transformation. They were sharing their gifts of joy through music and dance. I wanted to do just that! So, when I stumbled upon an audition my Freshman year of High School and didn’t get in I thought, “wait until next year!” That following year I did my first musical, which led me to majoring in Theater in college, which led me to my first audition and booking my first show in Minnesota, which led me to teaching theater and writing in a Chicago High School, which led to me back to Minnesota to develop a Bilingual Theater program with Minneapolis Public Schools.
I’m an artist. I’m a writer. I’m a director. I’m a teacher.
I’m proud of where I come from and how I got to where I am today. I tell my students, “You are where you need to be.” I believe that full heartedly. I am guided by my grandmother who was a teacher. I am guided by my parents who are artists and I am guided by my daughter who continues to develop her gifts. Art is the heartbeat to collaboration, empathy, self awareness and advocacy. Art is the language of humanity. Our community needs to hear stories of bravery, compassion and belonging especially now. I am an immigrant, a mother, an artist who needs to share my gifts. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be of service to my community.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Oh, great question! As a Theater Practitioner, I would say I had to unlearn many things that I intentionally or unintentionally learned. I am not the same artist as I was when I started in the business 20+ years ago. I hope that is the story for many people regardless of what business they’re in. However, if I would have to choose one I would say, unlearning Eurocentric and colonial standards that I unintentionally elevated to as a standard of excellence. Classic plays like Tennessee Willams, Thornton Wilder, William Shakespeare and Edward Albee are excellent American theater literature. However, if in college I would have been taught about the legacy of María Irene Fornés or Josephine Lopez or contemporary playwrights like Tanya Saracho or Quiara Alegría Hudes then my story would have been different. When we elevate a Eurocentric and colonial standard dominated by Male voices, young immigrant Latinas’ like myself begin to adapt to those standards. We forget that our names, our music, dances tell stories. We forget that we are birthed from revolutionary leaders and protectors. I had to unravel these ingrained beliefs and decolonize myself including my art. These lessons led me to create <i>Decolonizing the Artist</i>, a workshop that focuses on communal exploration and the power of writing to expand the artist self. Facilitating this workshop reiterates what I had to unlearned to become the artist I am today. The difference is that this time I’m not doing it alone.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is creating art with youth and for youth. I have been working with students for more than 10 years. It is a gift to work alongside any student (5 years old to elders) who eagerly want to share their story in a creative way. We all want someone to listen.
This current school year however was one of great trepidation. Here in Minneapolis, we started the year with a school shooting, then budget cuts and a potential teacher strike to ICE raids in our community and near our schools. When I think about it, it feels like I’m speaking about a dystopian scene of a play. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. This was the 2025-2026 school year, teachers had to swallow their fears and walk through those doors to connect with students and provide a safe space. As we complete the school year I think…”How did we do this?” I am fortunate to use theater as a tool for my students to process the last several months. I get the benefit of hearing their stories. That part of my job fills my heart!
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Joel Maisonet & Bruce Silcox