Born in 1969 on the U.S.-Mexico border in Mexicali, Baja California, Bárbara Colio is an award-winning playwright and director. She has gained recognition for her work in a number of plays, notably “Julieta tiene la culpa” (“It’s Juliet’s Fault”) and “Usted está aquí” (“You are here”).

“Julieta tiene la culpa” follows three female protagonists from various examples of modern drama. The piece depicts a feminist drive that Colio instills in her viewers, many of whom are women and young girls.

“Colio’s work is not only inspiring, but universal,” said Havva Karakas-Keles, the coordinator of regional programs at SU.

Syracuse University will be welcoming Colio to campus on Nov. 6. The event is sponsored by the Latino-Latin American studies program and the program on Latin America and the Caribbean, among other programs.

There will be an interactive workshop followed by an overview of Colio’s two most popular plays. The event will also include an audience-based discussion and an opportunity to ask the playwright questions about her life as an artist.

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Colio has become a global influence, Karakas-Keles said. She is the fifth woman in 30 years to be awarded the Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Award for her dedication and contributions to both Mexican theater and the drama world.

Because her works have received national praise, they have been translated into a multitude of languages like Portuguese, Gallego, French and English to reach larger international audiences, SU Spanish professor Gail Bulman said.

With her plays performed across the world, Colio has been able to accurately represent the contemporary realities of gender discrimination and the jarring conflicts of present-day life, Bulman said.

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“Students will feel more confident speaking their mind by being able to interact directly with Colio one-on-one,” Bulman said.

Colio’s work discusses the emotional themes surrounding love and relationships through personal and feminist anecdotes, Bulman said. She allows theater to give a voice to those who feel marginalized.

Bulman added that she hopes the event empowers female students to think critically about how the arts can be a good outlet to spark change and speak one’s mind.

“Nov. 6 is a day that will inspire and enlighten many. Colio has become an expert in her field and a role model to her audience,” Bulman said.

Published on October 29, 2019 at 11:20 pm