Silvita Diaz Brown Presented New Dance Production
The Chicago artist debuted a performance inspired by historic Mexican figures at the Wirtz Center.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Dance
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Chicago artist Silvita Diaz Brown recently staged her new dance-theater production, Ellas y Yo: Mexicanas, at the Wirtz Center. The intimate, three-part performance explores the legacies of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Frida Kahlo, and the creator herself.
Why it matters
The project highlights the success of collaborative arts residencies in Chicago that provide the administrative and financial support necessary for independent creators to develop complex, multi-disciplinary works.
Silvita Diaz Brown received a $30,000 3Arts Award to support her work, which featured six dancers performing in a 76-seat black box theater.
The players
Silvita Diaz Brown
She is a Chicago-based artist and choreographer who created the dance-theater piece Ellas y Yo: Mexicanas.
Wirtz Center
This facility served as the venue for the recent performances and is one of the partners involved in the Made in Chicago residency program.
The details
Developed through the Made in Chicago residency, the production features six dancers performing to an original score accompanied by projected poems. The piece is divided into three distinct sections, each dedicated to exploring the life and influence of the featured cultural icons.
Timeline
The performance was held at the Wirtz Center in Chicago from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, 2026.
Silvita Diaz Brown received a $30,000 3Arts Award in September 2026.
The show is scheduled for the FITOV Festival in Argentina from Oct. 6-10, 2026.
Performances of the production are planned for Mexico in 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This production underscores the growing importance of the Made in Chicago residency in fostering independent dance-theater works. By pooling resources from organizations like Pivot Arts and the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, the program allows creators to scale projects for international touring.
Local audiences attended the limited run at the 76-seat Wirtz Center black box theater. Future opportunities to view the production now move to international festival circuits in Argentina and Mexico.
The takeaway
Silvita Diaz Brown illustrates how sustained, multi-year creative efforts supported by local residencies can bridge the gap between regional debuts and global festival tours. Artists looking to emulate this path should seek out cross-organizational partnerships that provide both funding and administrative infrastructure.
What happens next
The production is scheduled to appear at the FITOV Festival in Argentina from Oct. 6-10, 2026, followed by a planned tour in Mexico throughout 2027.
Further reading
For more on the local performing arts scene, visit Chicago Dance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Northwestern.
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