Torera

by Monet Hurst-Mendoza

Childhood friends Elena Ramírez and Tanok Cárdenas come from different worlds, but share one dream: to become matadors in Mexico's bullfighting circuit. Elena's mother, Pastora, is the live-in housekeeper for her childhood confidant, renowned rejoneador, Rafael Cárdenas. Though class and gender divide this household, Pastora raises Tanok and Elena side by side, while keeping a watchful eye on her daughter's...

Childhood friends Elena Ramírez and Tanok Cárdenas come from different worlds, but share one dream: to become matadors in Mexico's bullfighting circuit. Elena's mother, Pastora, is the live-in housekeeper for her childhood confidant, renowned rejoneador, Rafael Cárdenas. Though class and gender divide this household, Pastora raises Tanok and Elena side by side, while keeping a watchful eye on her daughter's budding interest in bullfighting from Rafael's young protégé. As Elena and Tanok grow, she proves a much more skilled fighter than Tanok, and what began as child's play is now a vocation. Determined to rise to the top of this sport on her own merits, Tanok agrees to help Elena achieve her dreams by training her away from the prying eyes of their parents. But when legacy, tradition, and family secrets collide, who will rise and who will fall?

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Torera

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Torera

    A beautiful and moving piece about the struggle for a dream and to defy gender stereotypes as well as work through family dynamics. Well done!

    A beautiful and moving piece about the struggle for a dream and to defy gender stereotypes as well as work through family dynamics. Well done!

  • River Timms: Torera

    Monet has a winner here. ‘Torera’ effortlessly tells a story of gender power dynamics and class struggle by weaving it together through the theatricality of bullfighting. The dialogue shines here, and the conversations between Elena and Tanok mirror those of Pastora and Don Rafael, almost telling a generational love story. No wonder it was picked for the Kilroy’s list. This play should be produced everywhere.

    Monet has a winner here. ‘Torera’ effortlessly tells a story of gender power dynamics and class struggle by weaving it together through the theatricality of bullfighting. The dialogue shines here, and the conversations between Elena and Tanok mirror those of Pastora and Don Rafael, almost telling a generational love story. No wonder it was picked for the Kilroy’s list. This play should be produced everywhere.

  • Andrew Rincon: Torera

    This play lives, Monet creates a stunning portrayal of a young Latina wrestling with the machista world around her. She creates a world that is cinematic but still so theatrical. You really feel like you live next to Elena and Tanok. This play is also a director’s dream, with the beautiful sequences of bull fighting.

    This play lives, Monet creates a stunning portrayal of a young Latina wrestling with the machista world around her. She creates a world that is cinematic but still so theatrical. You really feel like you live next to Elena and Tanok. This play is also a director’s dream, with the beautiful sequences of bull fighting.

View all 8 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization The Alley Theatre, Year 2022
  • Type Workshop, Organization Long Warf Theatre Company, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Westport Country Playhouse , Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization The Public Theater , Year 2017

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization The Alley Theatre, Year 2023

Awards