We were lucky to catch up with Nora Montañez Patterson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nora , thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Ohhhh good question. So, when I graduated high school I moved to the town of Ft. Myers, Fl where my family had moved to a year prior. College was not a financial option for me and my family. Nor did my parents talk about it. So, upon my move I began to work as a retail associate of a home goods store and eventually a manager. After a year of savings, I drove to the local community college and payed for my first year of college in cash. I was going to major in medicine and become an Obstetrician. One day, I stumbled across an acting course at the college so I started going. I didn’t tell my parents because in my mind I was paying for my own studies so why should I tell them, right! One afternoon, while staying after class to complete a writing project that was already late, I noticed several actors preparing for an audition. The Theater Chair of the Department approached me and asked if I would audition. Which I responded with a respectful “No”, thinking that would suffice his inquiry. It didn’t. I did go into the audition audition unprepared and thinking, “What did I just audition for?” (For younger creators, don’t do what I did. Advocate for yourself and ask questions.) Anyways, I remember walking proudly to my car because I took a huge risk. A week later, I arrived home to find my mother in the kitchen having just hear that I had received a theater scholarship. The rest is history.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
Absolutely! So, my parents were performers in Peru. My mother was a singer and dancer and my father was (and still is) a percussionist. When we immigrated to the states they continued performing. So I was raised in restaurants, dance halls and stages. Without my parents knowing, I was choosing a career embraced by the arts. I was raised in Paterson, NJ where there was very limited arts access to our community. However, at the age of 12, I began to write. At the age of 15, I wrote my first story. At the age of 16, I performed my first High School musical. After two college theater scholarships, signing with my first agent in Milwaukee and eventually performing in my first professional theater production in Minnesota, there was no doubt that the arts was born within me. Today, as a Playwright, Director, Performer, Producer, Educator, Arts Activist and Mother, I preach the importance of ones’ personal story and growth. Latinidad is a wide spectrum of culture and we are not a monolith. As an Indigenous Peruvian and immigrant, my cultural background and artistic mission is informed by identity, decolonization and restoration. I use my privilege for change. All because my parents embraced me in the love of our music and dance.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
You know, I have been asked this question in various different ways and ever time I struggle with the word “Resilience”. Maybe it’s because resilience is equaled to a struggle and quick recovery? Maybe it’s because it’s been used as a guide to measure an immigrants hard work? Measurements created by whom, I should ask? Or maybe it’s because my own resiliency has been one that went on for far to long and am not finding rest.
In 2019, I performed my one-woman-show, Sabor A Mi. Based on family archives and Latin American songs, Sabor a Mi investigates Latina identity, acculturation, and assimilation. I wanted to not only celebrate my parents resilience but also acknowledge the the American societal mentality is one that is centered around white supremacy. They were filled with illusions that work was waiting for them, that homes were accessible, that community was there to lift them up when needed. While interviewing my parents in the early stages of Sabor A Mi, my father said “Desde el primer dia, no estabamos libres en este pais”. That comment affected me greatly and shaped the stories I wanted to tell. Which is why I write stories that are anchored in themes of the examination of identity, honoring our past and celebrating the daily living nuances of the Latine diaspora. Resilience goes hand in hand with supremacy but at who’s expense.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?
Great question! I would say my rewards are measure day by day. First, I am a mother so if my daughter is filled with love and comfort while I balance a rehearsal, writing grants and teaching, that is rewarding. If my husband and I laugh while checking in about our schedules for the next day, that is rewarding. If any of my students give me a bump, a smile, are vulnerable or jump up on stage ready to go, that is rewarding. In my early stages as an artist I measured my rewards on how many shows I performed in or how I was reviewed for my performance. Those measure will eventually weigh you down. I learned quickly that the rewards are there, you just have to measure them differently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://noraisabelmontanez.wixsite.com/website
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllianceofLatinxMNArtists
Image Credits
Headshot by Joel Maisonet