Mexican-American choreographer Michelle Manzanales’s newest work for Ballet Hispánico is Sor Juana, based on the life and writings of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, with its world premiere at New York City Center in June 2023. Manzanales was born in Houston, and is based in New York City, where she has directed the school of dance for Ballet Hispánico since 2016 and is co-founder of the Latinx Dance Educators Alliance. Other acclaimed works by the choreographer include Con Brazos Abiertos (2017 premiere), based on her Mexican-American identity, and an homage to Frida Kahlo (2010) titled Paloma Querida, recently adapted for two university performances in 2023. In a Zoom conversation between Michelle Manzanales (MM) and Margaret Boyle (MB) in December 2023, the two spoke at length about the process of creating Ballet Hispánico’s Sor Juana, its ongoing reception among audiences, Latinx representation in...

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