Biography and education
Dr. Ana Martínez holds a doctoral degree in Theatre Studies from CUNY Graduate Center, an MA in Scenography from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, and an Architecture degree from Universidad Anahuac in Mexico.
As a scholar, she integrates a knowledge of performance and spatial practices with socially grounded research. Her fields of specialization are theatre practices in Mexico, Latin American drama, and site-specific performance. Her book, Performance in the Zócalo: Constructing History, Race, and Identity in Mexico's Central Square from the Colonial Era to the Present (University of Michigan Press), was selected as one out of six finalists for the Theatre Library Association's 2021 George Freedley Memorial Award in recognition of outstanding work in the archives. Performance in the Zócalo addresses the ways in which Mexico City's central square manifests and contests its symbolic power through performance practices. Her current research focuses on Latin American performance and environmentalism. Her recent article "Bodies of Corn, Maguey, and Water: Performing Latin American / Latinx Environmentalisms" (Critical Stages / Scènes critiques) studies Latin American ecological practices in performance as sources of decolonial knowledge and environmental values.
Featured grants
- Martinez, Ana Luisa. The Verena and Kenneth J. Wilson Latin American Award, Texas State University, $500. (Funded: 2024 - Present). Grant.
- Martinez, Ana Luisa. University Lecturers Series Award, Faculty Senate, Texas State University, $2000. (Funded: 2024 - 2025). Grant.
- Martinez, Ana Luisa. Performing the Goodlife: Latin American and Latinx Theatre and the Environment, Research Enhancement Program, REP, Texas State University, $8000. (Submitted: October 2023, Funded: January 2024 - May 2025). Grant.
- Martinez, Ana Luisa. Performing the Goodlife: Latin American and Latinx Theatre and the Environment, American Society for Theatre Research, ASTR, Institutional (Higher Ed), $1500. (Submitted: July 2023, Funded: November 2023 - November 2024). Grant.
- Martinez, Ana Luisa. University Lecturers Series Award, Texas State University, Texas State University, $2000. (Funded: August 2022 - May 2023). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Martinez, A. L. (2024). Relics, Effects, and Bones: Migrancy Material Traces in Performance. In Puppet and Spirit: Ritual, Religion, and Performing Objects. Volume II: Contemporary Branchings: Secular Benedictions, Activated Energies, Uncanny Faiths (Vol. 2). New York, United States: Roudledge. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003150589
- Martinez, A. L., Martínez, V., & Ochoa, J. (2024). ¿Qué vamos a comer? Colombia’s Mojojoy! Performance Research, 28. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/13528165.2023.2363662
- Martinez, A. L. (2023). Sancocho, teatro y pez Capitán: Entrevista con María Buenaventura y su lucha contra los silencios bogotanos. Latin American Theatre Review, 91–100. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1353/ltr.2023.a917969
- Martinez, A. L. (2023). “Performing and Decolonizing Food-Related Practices: First International Festival of Gastroperformance in Bogotá, Colombia.” Latin American Theatre Review, 56. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1353/ltr.2023.a919125
- Performance in the Zócalo: Constructing History, Race, and Identity in Mexico's Central Square from the Colonial Era to the Present.
Theatre Journal.
Vol. 74.
Baltimore MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
March 2022.
- Reviewed by: Jacqueline Bixler.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Department Achievement for Excellence in Teaching, College of Fine Arts and Communication. 2023
- Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement for Excellence in Scholarly / Creative Activities, Texas State University. 2021 - 2022
- Award / Honor Recipient: Mentor of the Year, Texas Association for Chicanos in Higher Education. 2021 - 2022
- Award / Honor Nominee: George Freedley Memorial Award, Theatre Library Association. September 2021
- Award / Honor Recipient: Favorite Professor. Alpha Chi National College Honor Society., Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, Texas State University. October 2024
Featured service activities
- Undergraduate Advisor
Advocates for Neurodivergence at Texas State (A.N.T.S)
- Graduate Advisor
Department of Theatre and Dance
- Other
Texas Association for Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE)
- Other
Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE), Planning Committee, 2021 and 2022 Conference
- Member
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Reviewer / Referee
Journal "Geopolitics"