Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Priscilla Marrero. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Priscilla, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
When I began grad school, it was the first time I really understood what imposter syndrome was to me. As a first-generation Cubana-American, and the first in my family to have the opportunity to go to grad school, you can imagine all the feels! I remember what got me through those days, was community, making art, breath work and mindfulness meditation. Anytime I felt the ground underneath my legs unstable, I would take deep breaths, and say “I got this”. I also like to surround myself with people who are magic, and see the it in me, and can say “¡OYE! You got this!!!” when I need it.
I find the intrusive thoughts also like to come in before a big event or performance… so I often refer to this phrase “This is what you do”. I started using this phrase when one time in 2010, I was backstage in Miami at a performance space called Inkub8, and my good friend Corey was running the lights and sound. I was warming up and super nervous, and I expressed it to Corey. And he said, “Priscilla, this is what you do, no need to be nervous”. And with that, everything just aligned and I felt so ready to go. I’ve kept that phrase with me ever since.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an experimental choreographer, performer + teaching artista. I am a passionate storyteller and love to discover new ways to collaborate with transdisciplinary artistas on the edges of the unknown through the lens of mind, body, and spiritual alignment.
I have an MFA in Experimental Choreography from the University of California Riverside (22’), with my research focused on La Pelvis. My research focuses on reflecting on our own pelvis’ journey and questioning it, noticing it, and coming home with it. I am interested in building a community around pelvis shakers and dreamers, who embody this wisdom and empower others to do so.
I graduated from the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training (22’) of The Interdependence Project. I love to combine my work as an artist with mindfulness meditation, movement, breath work, somatic practice, curiosity, and storytelling.
As an educator, I love to offer inclusive gatherings where movement and connection are at the heart of it. I currently facilitate Español and Creative Movement for children from three years old to 3rd grade in a progressive independent school in New York City. I love to see the transformation that shifts in this age and engage with their joy and light while offering tools of creative exploration.
I love collaborating with transdisciplinary dreamers, changemakers, and artists on their projects. I find incredible joy in supporting others in building out their ideas and making them come true. I think this is why I often invite other artists into my work, it’s almost like building a world in which I would love to be a part of. Whether it’s a live performance or filmmaking, I enjoy being part of projects that invite different perspectives and pathways. I find it gives the project we are working on more tone and colors and it can connect with more people.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Instinct – I would say listen to your gut-your instinct- that voice that guides you. Find ways to connect with it. I find that meditation, creating, dancing it out, writing, reading, and being in nature help me connect with my instincts. Having a relationship with your instinct, and trusting that if you feel those sparkles at your core- that’s the way to go. I love the way Juliet Diaz in “The Altar Within : A Radical Devotional to Liberate the Divine Self” speaks about connecting and having a relationship with our Divine being.
Community- Build that communidad! ¡Tu gente! I would be nowhere without my people. Gather those folx who are like-mind and like-hearted. Folx who have similar passions and morals. Keep them close and collaborate with them. And also, gather folx who are very different than you. Keep those close too. I’ve found that some of my best growth and shifts have happened in conversations with people who have different dreams/ideas/spiritual beliefs/cultures. I would also add in to seek elders and mentors who can nurture your dreams and support you in your journey.
Practice – As an artist, it has been vital in my journey. Keep up and in practice! And this can look many different ways. I like to schedule time in advance for my studio practice – and commit to going no matter what. Sometimes being in the studio means lying on the ground, improvising, or singing! Sometimes it can be as simple as reading a book, meeting with a collaborator for coffee, or taking an intentional walk around your neighborhood. Just keep going..you never know what can come from it.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Well, I am a new mom. 🙂
So, slowing down has been nourishing and a new pace for me. Learning to genuinely ask for help and take a step back in my “I can do it all” personality has been a growth for me. I also enjoy paying attention to transitions and being intentional in finding ease in transitions. “How can I nourish each transition?” I ask myself each time.
My great friend Cara Liguori has been visiting us often, and she is guiding us with her work as an Infant Development Movement Educator. I find that simply her presence in our home throughout the months has brought a lot of peace and comfort to our family. She has this essence of pure joy and wisdom that is felt when she is in the room. In one of her visits, she reminded me that I can ask for help, by inviting those who will support us in this new journey. Who can I invite to be part of the roots of this new beginning?
Because of this opening, I feel that I have been fortunate that my familia and friends have shown up for me (us) during this time in profound ways. Our relationships have deepened and become clearer.
I have learned to listen to my body and allow for its needs to be met. Making sure I am regulated and taken care of, then I can be present for my son. Listening to his needs and trusting that he will express them as necessary. Listening to his cues so that I can be there for him, starting this while he is young in this physical world so that this bond can continue as he grows.
My partner has also demonstrated to me how when two people can lean on each other, we can go through anything. His compassion and patience with me as I go through this transformation are unforgettable. He has been a blessing in every way possible in my life. He is my person.
This life transition has brought a lot of joy and love for us and I can’t wait to continue making memories together with our little one.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.priscillamarrero.com
- Instagram: priscilla_performance_artista
Image Credits
Photo credit: Ambe J. Williams (@ambejphotography) / Makeup and Hair: Allie J (@everything_alliej) Image of two-hour durational performance of “If La Pelvis isn’t invited, we aren’t coming” by Priscilla Marrero (@priscilla_performance_artista) and LULU (@lulu_la_pelvis) Clothing Design in collaboration and guidance of Liliam Dooley (@liliamdooley). photo: Sihan Cui “La Pelvis Project” photo: Kali Veach (@kali.veach), choreographer/performer: Priscilla Marrero (priscilla_performance_artista), performers in the image: Al Ellison (al.elllison) and Justin Morris (@dancefeva), clothing design: Liliam Dooley, composer: Dr. Matthew Evan Taylor (@matthewevantaylor”), PelvisFoc” sculpture by Ferran Martín (@ferranfallas).
