In a crowded room full of colorful costumes and swirling skirts guns clank on the floor, thrown by dancers as they rush to change into their next outfits.
These dancers are part of Grandeza Mexicana, a Los Angeles-based company whose mission for over 20 years has been to showcase and preserve the beauty of Mexican heritage through ballet folklórico.
Ballet folklórico is a style of dance that originated in Mexico. It combines traditional indigenous dances with European roots. Ballet folklórico has allowed people to tell the history of Mexico, from everyday life to social occasions to political and religious iconic moments.
The dancers in Grandeza Mexicana range from 14 years old to 50 years old. Many of them have been in the company for over 5 years. As I interviewed a few of their dancers, they expressed that Grandeza Mexicana is not just a dance company to them; it is a second home, an escape from their everyday lives.
This August, Grandeza Mexicana performs a Mexican Revolution-themed production at The Ford. This production focuses on not only the pre-revolution Porfiriato period but also how women influenced and participated in La Revolución.The Adelitas, women guerrilleras who not only cooked and cared for the men but also fought battles—hence the aforementioned prop guns—against the Mexican government forces.
I photographed the dancers during rehearsals and learned about what being part of Grandeza Mexicana means to them.
Maria Evelyn Romero Gomez is an alumnus of Las Fotos Project and currently serves as the studio coordinator. Las Fotos Project is a social enterprise and apprenticeship program that empowers teenage girls and gender-expansive youth through photography and mentoring. Learn more about how The Ford works with Las Fotos Project to broaden the opportunities available for youth-centered career development in the arts.
Company Portraits
McKayla Frances Mercado | 20 years old
Years in Grandeza Mexicana: 9
What does Grandeza mean to you?
“It is another home to me. I love going to the studio and being able to learn something new everyday… Grandeza is a fun place to learn and grow as a dancer and as a person.”
Suemy Cortes | 42 years old
A founder of Grandeza Mexicana
What is it like being a woman in folklórico?
“Women represent our culture. There is so much more than just our costumes; we have to have grace, and it is empowering. When we dance we want to be able to reach the audience and show that we do this because we love it.”
Judy Katherine Gomez | 30 years old
Years in Grandeza Mexicana: 7
Why did you choose to wear this outfit?
“The Revolución Region dances are some of my favorites. I am kind of shy in real life and being able to transform and role-play a strong character like an Adelita on stage is enjoyable. I chose to be photographed in the revolución costume because to me that costume signifies the strength that women had in the Mexican revolution. To be able to tell their story through dance is a privilege and their history deserves to live on.”
Diana Soto Vazquez | 27 years old
Years in Grandeza Mexicana: 3
What is it like being a dancer with Grandeza Mexicana?
“I came into the company with no training. It was a little difficult but the good thing about Grandeza is that it fosters a really nice environment for you to be able to learn even though you don't have that type of professional training. People were willing to help me with technique, with learning the dances, and I was able to perform for the first time 3 months after I joined and I have been performing with Grandeza ever since. “
Jocelyn Orozco | 24 years old
Years in Grandeza Mexicana: 10
What is it like being a woman in folklórico?
“I’ve met a lot of girls through folklórico so it is nice to get to share something like this with other girls. And learning more about my culture is something that brought me into this dance, it has made me feel like this is where I belong.”
Lilibeth Godoy | 29 years old
Years in Grandeza Mexicana: 20
What does Grandeza mean to you?
“Grandeza means family and home. This is where I grew up. All throughout high school and maybe after high school, I was at grandeza almost everyday.”
Tune into the music that inspired Grandeza Mexicana's 100 Años de Libertad performance: