I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
AN AUDIO ADAPTATION
Based on the novel by Erika L. Sánchez
Adapted for audio from the stage play by Isaac Gómez
Co-directed by ensemble members Sandra Marquez and Audrey Francis
Featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez with Charín Álvarez, Eddie Martinez, Peter Moore, Leslie Sophia Perez, Bianca Phipps, Robert Quintanilla and Harrison Weger
Streaming now through August 31, 2021
Run time: 110 minutes
We are thrilled to present a groundbreaking audio adaptation of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, a Chicago story about family, community and coming together even when that feels impossible. Julia, a Chicago high school student, navigates the trials and tribulations of following her dreams of becoming a writer alongside the death of her sister, Olga—who might not have been quite as perfect as she seemed. Author of the novel Erika L. Sánchez has created an indelible protagonist in student Julia Reyes, who searches for her truest self while navigating the struggles of adolescence—depression, grief, self-doubt—in addition to the anxieties unique to a child of immigrants with a foot in two very different worlds. Julia is torn between a future limited by the same socioeconomic forces that curtail the opportunities open to her parents and her fervent ambitions to seek a more expansive life for herself as a writer.
This story is a timeless reminder that no matter one’s country of origin, no matter what language one speaks, or what status one occupies, we all have dreams.
The New York Times best-selling novel is written in first-person narrative which translates beautifully into the deeply personal, journal-like audio experience. Listeners will be immersed into the main character’s point of view and details of this vibrant world as Julia shares her innermost thoughts, whispering directly into our ears. Through this innovative new format, Julia’s voice can now travel further than ever before and audiences all over the world will be able to experience Julia’s journey of self-discovery for the very first time.
Isaac Gómez is an award-winning Chicago-based playwright, originally from El Paso, Texas/Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. We are proud to debut this audio adaptation and collaboration between Gómez and director and ensemble member Sandra Marquez with ensemble member Karen Rodriguez returning as Julia. This offering is a special opportunity to share this important and moving story with students around the world.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter is one of six virtual productions on the Steppenwolf NOW virtual stage. Get access to all six productions with the purchase of a virtual membership for only $75. Discounts available for essential workers, artists, students and teachers. Find more information at steppenwolf.org/now.
Resources
Learn more about the I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter characters and follow along with the audio adaptation using this character guide.
Watch & Listen
CAST & ARTISTS
Artists
Author Erika L. Sánchez
Playwright Isaac Gómez
Co-Directors Sandra Marquez† & Audrey Francis†
Sound Design Matthew Chapman
Dramaturg Brenna Barborka
Production Manager Claire Haupt
Casting Director JC Clementz, CSA
Production Stage Manager Michelle Medvin*
Assistant Stage Manager Jacqueline Saldana*
CAST
Amá Charín Álvarez*^
Apá Eddie Martinez*^
Mr. Ingman Peter Moore
Lorena Leslie Sophia Perez^
Olga Bianca Phipps^
Juanga Robert Quintanilla
Julia Karen Rodriguez†*
Connor Harrison Weger
Additional Staff: Joel Moorman (Creative Director), Lowell Thomas (Video Editor), Martha Wegener (Sound Engineer), Matthew Chapman (Music Supervisor), David Chu & Captioning Coalition (Captioning)
The live stage version of “I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER”
was commissioned and its world premiere presented at
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago, IL;
Anna D. Shapiro, Artistic Director, David Schmitz, Managing Director.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for nonprofit professional theater.
† denotes a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble.
* denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.
^ denotes an actor that voices additional characters.
Steppenwolf for Young Adults Sponsors
GRAND BENEFACTORS
Paul M. Angell Foundation
Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts
BENEFACTORS
Anonymous
Allstate Insurance Company
Andrew and Amy Bluhm
Ann and Richard Carr
The Crown Family
Polk Bros. Foundation
Robert and Louise Sanborn
Steppenwolf Associates
PRODUCERS
American Express
Archer Daniels Midland Company
ComEd
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Walter E. Heller Foundation
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Lynn Lockwood Murphy and Barrett B. Murphy
The Oppenheimer Family Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Anne and Don Phillips
Poetry Foundation
Nina B. Winston and Norman V. Kohn
Accessibility services sponsored by John Hart and Carol Prins.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Log in now
All virtual members will receive an email with their unique login username and password, as well as instructions. This login information grants you access to one viewing session of this exclusive virtual event. If you would like to see more detailed log in instructions, please watch this video or read the Virtual Content FAQ.
GET ACCESS WITH A VIRTUAL MEMBERSHIP
This show is one of six virtual productions on the Steppenwolf NOW virtual stage featuring breakthrough stories written by America’s most talented voices. Get access to ALL SIX productions by purchasing a Steppenwolf NOW virtual membership. Learn more at steppenwolf.org/now.
Are you a teacher?
Steppenwolf for Young Adults is proud to provide this audio adaptation of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter for FREE to all educators and their students in grades 8 and above. Learn more about how to register for this offering.