July 1, 2019

Meet Claudia Duran of Casa0101 in Boyle Heights

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Duran.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ever since I was a little kid, I loved putting on plays and performances with my brothers and sisters. My mother put me in dance class as a little girl and so I would have my brothers and sisters perform nursery rhymes and short plays and have dance recitals of our own when we played. I didn’t know this was something I could do when I grew up.

When I was in middle school, I loved raising my hand to read out loud in class and my teacher recommended I join the speech and debate team. So I did. I learned how to compete and perform with other students from schools across the country. We competed throughout the United States. In high school, I spent a summer training at The Governor’s School for the arts in Pennsylvania for theater and that’s when I realized theater was a craft of many talents I could study and learn. My teachers encouraged me to look into colleges that specialized in theater since I enjoyed it so much. With the help of my mentor, teachers, and guidance counselors I applied to conservatory programs. I even received scholarships to go to school.

During that time, it was very difficult because my mother became a single mom with six kids after my father was incarcerated and deported. As the oldest I was expected to help out at home, I had two jobs plus school, but theater was a love that saved me and allowed me to express my inner world and go to imaginary places I had never been. When I was accepted into Carnegie Mellon I was very nervous because it was so far away from my family. I worried about who would take care of my family. I almost gave up to return home, but I knew I had to pave a new path for my brothers and sisters. I was the first to finish high school so graduating from college also became a first. I knew I had to lead by example.

Studying Theater and Film at Carnegie Mellon taught me the importance of discipline and commitment to the projects I began. I was the only Latina in my class so being there taught me how important it was to share my stories and help educate my peers and professors even if it made me uncomfortable. Thanks to the encouragement and financial aid of my mentor I was able to study abroad and experience performing at the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It was inspiring to see theater in other languages from all over the world. When I returned I immediately began writing, directing, and producing my own original content and I haven’t stopped since. I realized as a creative mujer I had a lot of stories and complex perspectives to share.

I worked throughout Los Angeles with various theaters and filmmaking programs. In 2010, I began working regularly with Casa0101 on projects. I found Casa0101 to be an amazing incubator for original new works. They have fostered festivals like Chicanas Cholas y Chisme (7 seasons) and Brown & Out (5 seasons) which encourage marginalized writers to tell their unique stories in a Latinx friendly environment. With Chicanas Cholas y Chisme we’ve created over 85 new works all written by Latina identified muxeres. I’m proud of the work we produce year after year. We’ve traveled to Santa Cruz, Chula Vista, Tijuana, and New Orleans with our plays and I hope to continue sharing our stories around the globe. I hope to encourage the same with Brown & Out.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road less traveled usually has its twists and turns. Many times I’ve had roadblocks and obstacles in the way of me pursuing what I love. Being a child of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Growing up having to help support my family. Not having the financial means to go to college. Facing racist and sexist views from colleagues in the workforce. Being objectified as a woman time and time again in environments that are male-dominated. I mean name the struggle and I can unfortunately say I’ve faced it.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Supporting Latinx storytellers & Women of Color storytellers in theater and entertainment is what I love to do. That’s what interests me and that’s my passion.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles has a bit of catching up to do, but East Los is the perfect hot spot to start out. There are so many talented and prolific Latinx artists in the area. I feel at home.

Contact Info:

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