“ City Without Altar blends choral composition with unabashed poetry. Mendez weaves in stage directions that imbue metaphor and mood ("Avocado-bellied hills"), while offering vignettes that shake off the constraints of linear time. From a community of women washing rice to fertility festivals for Yemaya, City Without Altar seeks out holiness in the nature of its landscape, and ultimately in the souls and memories of its people - including the audience. ”

“ Universal, smart, and oh-so-human. I loved the wild, headfirst rush of this play, and its incredible centering of young girls faced with the awful ethics that await them in adulthood. It's going to stick with me forever, much like Antigone. ”

“ This taut play explores bullying and abduction with such honest realism. There are no didactic, after-school-special vibes here. Instead, Back When We Felt Clean provides seven compelling roles for young actors (and a bouquet of strong monologues for young females!) This would be a great piece for an advanced high school program or a daring young production company. ”

“ It's not easy to put the sea on stage! The playwright has done a shanty-worthy job of imbuing these historical characters with vibrant immediacy. Although heartbreaking, the relationships are compelling, subtle, and oh-so-human. Thank you for sharing! ”