JOTA

JOTA

Is a solo show that follows a young queer Mexican Indigenous woman on the cusp of a new chapter in her life. “JOTA” in Spanish is for “gay” and has been used to harm, shame, and erase LGBTQIA+ peoples in both Mexico and the United States. I titled my play JOTA to reclaim this word and all it contains, transforming it into a banner of resilience, a declaration of pride, and an offering of love. JOTA was born out of an urgent need to center voices too often silenced. Especially those of the QTPOC experience. I wrote this piece for those who, like me, grew up feeling alone in their queerness. As a result, this play becomes a lifeline across generations and a reminder that we are never truly alone in our becoming. We're accompanied by our ancestors, our histories, and the courageous voices of our communities. I hope JOTA will live on long after I'm gone as a sign to future generations of queer people that an ancestor thought of them and prayed for our collective liberation. LGBTQIA+ people, and all people, deserve to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. May we all act bravely in living our truths.

JOTA’s Development History:

JOTA was first workshopped with Brooklyn Arts Exchange’s Emergenyc program in spring 2023. JOTA was further developed in the fall of 2023 with Dramatic Question Theater, under the American Woman (AW) solo show development and presentation program, with the mentorship and guidance of Raquel Almazan. In January 2024 JOTA was selected to be presented at DQT's Digital Stage Presentation. A final draft of JOTA was completed in Mexico, a full-circle moment that deepened the connection to this story. In 2024 JOTA commenced development under the Queer Art Fellowship and guidance of mentor Eva Yaa Asantewaa. In early winter 2024, JOTA debuted in Manhattan with 14Y Theater’s 2024 Dance Residency. In Spring of 2025 JOTA was workshopped with Teatro Espejo. In Summer 2025 JOTA debuted in Sacramento, California with Teatro Espejo and the Fat Elephant Theater where JOTA had a sold out and extended run. In spring 2026 JOTA was presented at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. In fall 2026 JOTA will have a full show production at University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. Throughout 2026 and into 2027, JOTA will have several presentations. JOTA is one of three shows selected from the United States in the REDELAE 2026 Catalog. A highly esteemed Euro-Latin American Network of Performing arts catalog designed to promote international high quality artistic projects. 

For inquiries of JOTA, email: bbenitezkatherine@gmail.com