Artist Profile: Gina Cornejo
(Taken by Emily Dalske during Cornejo’s artist-in-residence, curated by Bill Walker at Tooth and Nail Gallery in Milwaukee [October - November 2024] titled "SCREWBALL")
Gina Cornejo is a Milwaukee born, raised and reunited autobiographical writer, immersive storyteller, solo performer, actor and self-proclaimed professional feelings-haver.
What inspires you most these days?
Humor. The humor produced from witnessing the wicked and unfathomable. The wit is so immediate and hot because it has every right to be explosive and astonishing. It’s humor that inspires me since it can cunningly cut to the truth with some wiggle room to breathe and heave. And, wiggle room is a generous treat — especially since it seems more space to breathe and heave is what we are collectively seeking.
Share 3 words that describe you as a poet.
WRITE. THE. HEAT.
Do you have a favorite poet or poetry book? If so, explain why you connect to it or that particular poet.
Favorite poets: Ani DiFranco. Floetry. Jessie Reyez. Joni Mitchell. Lin-Manuel Miranda. Andrea Gibson. Remi Wolf. Indigo Girls. Mike Birbiglia. Stephen Sondheim… I am endless in regard to my favorites. Potent storytelling is at the core of my favorites. My favorite humans; my favorite restaurants; my favorite coffee; intersections; time of day. The nuance of stories is enchanting, however they are expressed. If I don't realize I have leaned in to devour more, that is the sign that I am hooked into that story as well as the storyteller. I'm weak for a hearty plot.
How has community shaped your work?
Back in Chicago, in the early 2000s, my community became an innovative theater ensemble of Lantinx, BIPOC, Queer, femme identifying writers, producers, directors and performers. We devised our own productions. We wrote. We shared. We fundraised. We risked. We told our truth onstage and off. Over time, we were recognized and awarded for our fervor and talents. This early work of grit coupled with the support of my hermanas bestowed upon me the permission I needed to take up space. No one is going to write my story or perform my story like me. Our determination to be seen and heard was palpable as we all had either been born outside of the United States or from immigrants — and found ourselves here in the Chicago storefront theatre scene. Generations of those familiar characters we had only known in thumb-mucked photos that had influenced the choices of our parents, then eventually our internal monologue which began to beg to take centerstage. Taking up space with our stories, with “a sprinkle of Spanish” was an inevitable progression of progress.
I remain focused with how I devise my solo performances, my immersive storytelling, and my poetry to take up space. Do it for Papi, who immigrated from Lima, Peru. Do it for the faces thumb-mucked in the photos aching to be heard from out of my throat. Do it for the generations of women in my bloodline who might still feel most comfortable in silence. Centerstage awaits. Take up space.
What have been some meaningful insights you have had about yourself or the world at large through writing poetry?
“If you are going to be anything in the world tonight, you better be lightning.” This Andrea Gibson quote is a continuous reminder that the time is now. The time is always now. For anything; for everything; for resistance; for understanding; for “fill _in_the_blank.” If I can ignite this sparkle into the core of my poetry and into my writing/performance craft then that’s it — that’s golden — that’s the honey pot — and I can be nourished with the knowledge that this electricity of communal conversation is at play. Together, we get to witness and feel the light show. And the show must go on…So we all better be lightning, don’t you think?