When fellow rising comic Glorelys Mora and I first met within the comedy scene — it was an prompt connection. I used to be in awe of her skill to seize and materialize folks’s want for expression by means of comedy. Her dedication and contagious, guttural chortle drew me in, and we rapidly bonded over our shared experiences and challenges as Dominican comedians. As comics, we spent hours discussing how tough it was to achieve help and recognition in an trade that always overlooks voices like ours. Our conversations sparked a imaginative and prescient: to create a devoted platform that will elevate Dominican voices in comedy.
After we began Morir Soñando, it was a enterprise born out of necessity and a deep love for our tradition. I might lengthy felt comedy was lacking one thing essential — an genuine illustration of Dominican voices. Whereas the comedy scene is vibrant and numerous, Dominican comedians usually lack a platform that celebrates our distinctive views and experiences. This hole in illustration motivated us to create an area the place our tales may very well be instructed unapologetically.
I typically joke about being emotionally constipated. What I imply by that’s I do not know tips on how to cry, however I do know tips on how to make a joke about it. Laughter grounds the second and transcends folks’s identification and standing. It is the very factor that reminds us we’re alive and current. Comedy is like feeding drugs with sweet; it brings consciousness to tough subjects with levity. And because of this, it usually helps us with our psychological well being and thru a few of life’s most difficult moments, together with loss and trauma.
Rising up, I usually felt lonely as a child who struggled with melancholy, however humor was the one factor that saved me from feeling utterly remoted. Humor and laughter deliver folks collectively. It does not matter what you are going by means of; laughter acknowledges that you’re current within the second with others, whether or not you already know them or not. Making jokes about being an affair youngster makes me really feel like much less of a burden to my household as a result of I get to deliver levity to such a critical situation. It additionally lets folks like me know they are not alone. A chortle can heal somebody’s ache and struggling.
With regards to comedy, comedy is such an important approach of communication in my household. That is how we handled our trauma. I did not know I used to be humorous till folks instructed me, and I used to be in a position to develop and understand I might make a residing off of this. However I additionally do not see many individuals like me making strides on this trade. After I first noticed Aida Rodriguez on “Final Comedian Standing” in 2014, I felt an prompt connection as a result of her experiences have been so relatable to mine. It wasn’t till I grew to become a comic that I noticed how underrepresented we’re.
However that additionally means we always face a crossroads on this trade: will we assimilate or pave our personal approach? Within the American market, stand-up comedy is commonly seen as both Black or white. As an American, I embrace my Blackness, however what about my dad and mom’ Dominican identification and my upbringing at dwelling? Ought to I shut down that a part of me to be extra palatable for the “mainstream”?
Glorelys and I wished to create an area for folks like us to navigate these questions — just like what Def Comedy Jam did for the Black American group. I at all times associated extra to Black American comics as a result of their comedy was sincere and uncooked, reflecting struggles just like mine. Nonetheless, there was restricted house for individuals who seemed like me and in addition spoke Spanish.
In the end, the inspiration for Morir Soñando got here from a profound must see ourselves mirrored on stage, not simply as a token presence, however as the primary occasion. Over 42 million folks in America communicate Spanish. It is inevitable for folks to be bilingual and communicate Spanglish on this nation. We wished to create one thing that evolves the dialog round Latinidad, displaying that it isn’t a monolith however as numerous as each American on this nation. Our comedy reveals aren’t meant to exclude any nationality; fairly the alternative. We need to embrace others whereas creating a spot the place expertise like ours can join with individuals who may not have identified we exist.
We launched our first present in 2019 to focus on and have fun Dominican comedians, showcasing our wealthy cultural heritage and the humor that springs from it. Final 12 months, we made historical past with a present on the United Palace, an achievement that underscored the significance and influence of our mission. We’re returning to United Palace for our subsequent present on July 26 and are thrilled to be transferring to the venue’s foremost theater, which seats audiences of as much as 3,350, for our November present.
Nonetheless, producing these occasions has not been with out its challenges. Financially, it has been extremely demanding. Securing help from the group is essential to maintain and develop these occasions. It is notoriously tough to get Latine occasions sponsored, so Glorelys and I financed it ourselves, which displays broader problems with illustration and help for minority communities within the arts.
Regardless of these challenges, we’ve had vital wins. Our previous reveals’ success and rising viewers help give us hope and motivation. However the street forward requires a concerted effort from our group. We have to come collectively to help and uplift one another, recognizing the significance of cultural occasions like Morir Soñando.
I need to be candid about our frustrations — securing funding, discovering the proper venues, and battling stereotypes — as a result of these obstacles make our victories sweeter. We’re pleased with what we’ve completed thus far and are excited for the long run.
Morir Soñando isn’t just a comedy present however a celebration of Dominican tradition, a platform for underrepresented voices, and a motion in direction of better inclusivity within the comedy world. Your help is important in serving to us proceed this journey, and we sit up for sharing many extra laughs and tales with you.
Sasha Merci is a first-generation Dominican American actor, comic, and viral digital creator. She showcases over a decade of numerous expertise in leisure with roles in movies like “Righteous Thieves” and “De Lo Mio,” together with collaborations with famend manufacturers comparable to Goal and Bumble. She shares her Bronx roots and keenness for Latine tradition by being vocal about psychological well being and navigating comedy.