MANGLE: A Study of the Caribbean Diaspora’s Migration and the Destruction of the Caribbean Mangroves Through the Lens of Embodied Research
What does embodied performance enact about the Caribbean mangroves that we don’t already know from environmental studies? How can an embodied history of the Caribbean diaspora through an environmental lens help us further understand the complexities of diasporic experiences? Through a framework of intersectional environmentalism and embodied knowledge, Santiago Lebrón and Losada-Tindall posit that performance is uniquely situated to potently communicate the magnitude of environmental frailty and how it connects to diasporic grief over the loss of a homeland.
Puerto Rican movement artist Lourdes del Mar Santiago Lebrón aims to create artistic explorations that heighten the senses, provoke inquisition, and demand attention, honing in to their belief that true connection between art maker and audience is achieved through raw emotive experiences. A sense of urgency is common in their work, as art has long been a loud and persuasive means to cope and communicate, facilitating a healing and explorative experience for dancers and audience alike. As a Queer Latine woman, they are committed to making art that is unapologetic, ideally aiding to create a world in which people think longer, feel harder, and experience life without hesitation. A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, they are currently pursuing their MFA at Washington University in St. Louis.
Tess Angelica Losada-Tindall is a Cuban-American dancer, choreographer, and scholar currently working towards her MFA in Dance at Washington University in St. Louis (May 2025). Tess’ research considers bicultural straddling, diasporic grief, and how identity is shaped by a lifetime of being ni de aquí, ni de allá. Her work has been performed nationally and internationally, most recently in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to graduate school, Tess earned a B.A. in Dance Performance from Illinois State University, and spent the better part of a decade dancing, teaching, and performing in New Orleans.