GINA CORNEJO
Autobiographical Writer |
Immersive Storyteller |
Solo Performer |
Multimedia Collaborator |
Theater Maker |
Professional Feelings-Haver
Embedded Files
BODY OF WORK
BODY OF WORK
BODY OF WORK is a feature-length documentary exploring the line between self expression and self exploitation in the world of performance art. Centering the collaborative relationship between queer artists Gina Cornejo (she/they) and Lonesome Bill Walker (he/him), this documentary will follow the lifespan of an experimental theater piece from concept to production. With practices based in endurance, dialogue, and play, the film will not only produce a portrait of the two artists in conversation with these themes, but highlight a larger tension between the body as a medium to be explored and a resource to be exploited.
February 14, 5:30pm - doors open!
January 24, 10-11am
NEW DATE! January 30, 5-10pm
"Planets as Stars"
"Planets as Stars"
Written + Performed by Gina Cornejo
Written + Performed by Gina Cornejo
THEATRE LILA – "Planets as Stars"
Written and Performed by Gina Cornejo
Directed by Jessica Lanius
November 14, 15, 16 + November 20, 21, 22
VERONA, WI — Theatre LILA is proud to announce that its highly anticipated 2025–26 season begins this November with Planets as Stars, an autobiographical, immersive work by poet and performance artist, Gina Cornejo.
Part cosmic romp, part intimate confessional, Planets as Stars follows Cornejo’s storytelling guide through white-knuckle wedding rants, divorce dance breaks, and the fumbling delight of late-bloomer queerness. The result is a “cringeworthy yet charming” evening that reminds us how the complexity of love is nothing if not comical, cataclysmic, and cosmic.
Blending music and soundscapes, prose and poetry, movement and whimsy, Cornejo crafts a space for collective healing with gusto and guts. This non-linear, autobiographical journey amplifies the devilish details we all know too well, while offering a humanizing, humbling reminder: the only constant is change.
The Style: Immersive & Intimate
The Style: Immersive & Intimate
Forget the traditional stage. Theatre LILA’s inventive storytelling meets Gina Cornejo’s unique style in an intimate, immersive performance. The ART House 360 lounge transforms with café-style seating, allowing the poet to weave her stories all around the audience. Plus, the atmosphere is set with both champagne and coffee served!
Theatre LILA and Gina Cornejo will partner with Verona Area High School students in a Finding Your Voice poetry residency, culminating in students attending a performance of Planets as Stars. This collaboration is supported by a grant from Park Bank and the Verona Optimist Club.
GREEN BAY FRINGE FESTIVAL!! July 18, 19, 20
GREEN BAY FRINGE FESTIVAL!! July 18, 19, 20
GREEN BAY FRINGE FESTIVAL!! July 18, 19, 20
GREEN BAY FRINGE FESTIVAL!! July 18, 19, 20
DIRTY LAUNDRY written + concieved by Gina CornejoPhoto credit: Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart
Gina Cornejo Photo credit: Adam Ossers
2.12.22 ONLINE PREMIERE Director of Photography: Josh FInckProduced by: Stewart Owen Dance
Gina Cornejo
Gina Cornejo
NEXT
Writing, editing, planning, and brainstorming ideas for a Milwaukee showing of my show "Planets as Stars" - IN THE WORKS!
NOW-ish
GO VISIT: Art House 360 in Verona, Wisconsin! My longest running collaboration yet! with Jessica Lanius and Spits Mullins! It's giving curated graffiti grit and glow mashup with original poetry and potency! Our "Rise Up" Project can be seen as Art House 360 is officially open to the public.
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Currently, an Intimacy Consultant for Northern Sky Theater, in Door County.
HAPPENED
Keynote Speaker for Creative Mornings Milwaukee at the Skylight Theatre for the April 2026 theme of EMBER.
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Featured Performer (live autobiographical poetry) at Creative Mornings Milwaukee, with Keynote Speaker Ike Wynter, for the February 2026 theme of CAMINO.
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February 14 at Cactus Club for 4th Annual Lonely Hearts Honky Tonk!
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January 24, 2026, at Saint Kate's (LIVE!) for 32nd Annual Poetry Marathon poetry reading.
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Theatre Lila + Gina Cornejo - "Planets as Stars" world premiere solo/immersive performance at Art House 360! November, 2025.
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Assistant Director at American Players Theatre for "PICNIC" under the keen direction of Brenda DeVita at American Players Theatre this Fall. Go see this stunning play!
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My original work "it hurts now like it did then" had 3 performances at the Green Bay Fringe Festival! July 18, 19, and 20, were fantastic days to perform and mingle with fellow Fringe Festival artists. Big thank you to the GB Fringe!
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My first chapbook has been published with Bottlecap Press!
"Home Remedies" written by Gina Cornejo, is now available for sale on the Bottlecap Press website! *See the link above.
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Performed at Creative Mornings Milwaukee! I was able to perform an original work that had not yet been performed as a solo piece - and, BONUS! it contained themes of Milwaukee, my Papi's immigration to Wisconsin from Peru, home, and connection to ritual, modern and ancient.
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Artist in Residence at Tooth and Nail Gallery, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with an original show written and performed by Gina Cornejo, titled, "SCREWBALL" + the incredible artist Curation by Lonesome Bill Walker, a genuine Milwaukee legend that you need to research ASAP. This Residency had everything: coffee by Coffee Wizards, a decorative cake giveaway, the debut of "FML BINGO," intimate autobiographical stories of queer love and the impact of orange colored mugs, a one-of-a-kind Solitary Theater built with the grit and hands of Bill Walker, free candy, create your own Redacted Poetry, live and sweaty one-night-only performances by Cornejo and oh, so much more!
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Intimacy Direction for the stage with "A Doll's House," and "Clyde's" at the Milwaukee Chamber Theater.
GET TO KNOW ME
Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gina Cornejo (she/her & they/them), is the daughter of a Peruvian mariachi singer and a professional jazz dancer. A Queer Americana Peruana, she is a writer, solo performance artist, actor, singer, storytelling coach, and credentialed Camino de Santiago pilgrim. She firmly believes our distinct path of artistic expression is one based on the risk of venturing out to seek within.
For 17 years, she claimed Chicago as her artistic home. Cornejo has created and contributed original writing, performance/production concepts, and original choreography to several ensemble built productions featured within the award-winning World Premieres of Teatro Luna (Chicago) and Teatro Luna West (LA): America's All Latinx and All Women of Color Theatre Ensemble. Ms. Cornejo was featured onstage in "S-E-X-OH!," "MACHOS," "LUNATIC(A)S." Within this ensemble she has assisted in conducting, facilitating, and refining, workshops and ensemble built productions within the artistic avenues of writing, directing, solo performance, movement, music, and vocals.
As an ensemble member of Teatro Luna (2005-10) she became an active touring cast member of "S-E-X-OH!" and "MACHOS" (2007-2008). Chicago Non-Equity acclaim was awarded to the Teatro Luna ensemble with two Jeff Awards: Best New Work ("LUNATIC(A)S," Choreographer and Original Cast Member) and Best Ensemble ("MACHOS," Choreographer and Original Cast Member).
Other theatrical credits include, but not limited to: "PICNIC" (Assistant Director, American Players Theatre), "Romeo and Juliet" (Rehearsal Assistant, American Players Theatre), "The House On Mango Street" (Steppenwolf Theatre, World Premiere, Nenny Cordero), "A XMAS Cuento Remix" (Milagro Theatre, Rolling World Premiere, Ixchel, Ensemble, Ms. Jefferson/Choreographer), "Cabaret" (Metropolis PAC, Texas/Fraulein Schneider US/Dance Captain), "I Thought You Could See Me" (Teatro Luna West, writer/performer/collaborator), Voice Over/Print artist for clients USAA and KFC.
Detailing a snapshot of her pilgrimage along the sacred Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James), "When She Passes," is her original creation featured within Teatro Luna's Audible Original, "Talking While Female and Other Dangerous Acts." Find the link above for the Dirty Spoon Radio Hour for her retelling of another moment along the Camino in her original story, "4AM."
Cultivating honest, raw expression and healing through writing and performance, her original piece "Atmosphere," was featured in "Still: Life" a performance of tremendous diligence and tender Covid-safe collaborations with Stewart/Owen Dance. Performances were held virtually and within various locations throughout the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, in downtown Asheville, 2020. "Atmosphere" was also featured in the Cat Fly Film Festival and was chosen as a film installation for public viewing at the Zan Zan Gallery in December, 2022. In collaboration with GENSIX, @genisx.mke, this film will debut in Cornejo's hometown of Milwaukee, on October 5, 2023 at MARN (Milwaukee Artist Resourse Network).
As an Artist-in-Residence at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts in January 2022 with her collaborators, Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen, of Stewart Owen Dance. January allowed this trio to produce a 35 minute film of the original script, "DIRTY LAUNDRY," written by Cornejo. The worldwide pivot away from live performances at the end of January, (Omicron) this never-before-seen production transitioned into a new iteration in film form featuring three of Cornejo's ten autobiographical stories. (Virtual premiere February 12-26, 2022.)
In July 2022, Cornejo was accepted as the first Artist-in-Residence at Story Parlor for the initial launch of their Story/Arts Residency, a program that champions BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and individuals from other historically marginalized groups by providing a platform for their work. A first iteration of "DIRTY LAUNDRY" was created and presented to three evenings of sold out audiences.
Gina Cornejo is consistent in her autobiographical writing and anticipates a book publication of "DIRTY LAUNDRY" or "it hurts now like it did then" or her collection of poetry or any-damn-thing one day and to have her solo shows in a variety of venues nationwide. Cornejo anticipates more opportunities to widely share their adoration of immersive and cringeworthy autobiographical storytelling in Milwaukee and beyond.
Photo credit: Michael-Jamar Jean Francois, 2022, Asheville, NC
Photo credit: Michael-Jamar Jean Francois
DIRTY LAUNDRY still. Photo credit: Josh Finck and Stewart Owen Dance
Atmosphere still. Photo credit: Michael-Jamar Jean Francois
Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE) January 2023 - present. Completed workshops:
Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE) January 2023 - present. Completed workshops:
Best Practices
Best Practices
Trauma-Informed Practices
Trauma-Informed Practices
Creating a Culture of Consent: Community Agreements
Creating a Culture of Consent: Community Agreements
Theatrical Studio Techniques, Casting, and Policy
Theatrical Studio Techniques, Casting, and Policy
Staging Intimacy Beyond the Binary
Staging Intimacy Beyond the Binary
Staging Sex: Non-Consensual Intimacy
Staging Sex: Non-Consensual Intimacy
Intimacy Choreography for Live Performance
Intimacy Choreography for Live Performance
Foundations of Race, Intimacy, and Consent for BIPOC
Foundations of Race, Intimacy, and Consent for BIPOC
Mental Health First Aid (Certified 6/2023) and Staging Sex: Kissing
Mental Health First Aid (Certified 6/2023) and Staging Sex: Kissing
+ more
*Available for conversations about assisting Theatrical Intimacy Coordinators, Choreographers, Directors, and more. Contact me!
*Available for conversations about assisting Theatrical Intimacy Coordinators, Choreographers, Directors, and more. Contact me!
the last 5 years-ish
the last 5 years-ish
DIRTY LAUNDRY
DIRTY LAUNDRY
FIRST FRINGE FESTIVAL for "DIRTY LAUNDRY"
Asheville Fringe Festival, 2023!
"As a proud Queer Americana Peruana, I chose to venture far beyond polite storytelling. . . DIRTY LAUNDRY is a genre-bending performance aiming to unearth gritty topics that are often left buried." Marriage, divorce, dating, and Queer reclamation are unapolegetically disclosed in this irreverent unraveling performance. Fresh iterations continue to be imagined and will be revealed EXCLUSIVELY at
Asheville Fringe Festival!
March 24 + March 26 at The Bebe Theatre
SHOUTOUT TO THE COLLABORATORS and CHAMPIONS OF "DIRTY LAUNDRY" || Stewart Owen Dance, Gavin Stewart, Vanessa Owen, Josh Finck, Michael Lowery, Megan Jones Medford, Janice Lancaster, Wortham Arts. @dirtylaundry_avl
MARNmentorship 2023 - 2024 Mentee || Milwaukee Artist Resource Network, Milwaukee, Wisconsin @marn_arts
The Martin, Chicago, November 12th, 2023
The Martin, Chicago, November 12th, 2023
DIRTY LAUNDRY the film is an intimate virtual performance from Stewart Owen Dance and Gina Cornejo, that premiered on February 12, 2022. Featuring choreography from Stewart Owen Dance and original autobiographical writing from Gina Cornejo, this cringeworthy-yet-charming film brings together seven artists to enchant viewers. As an invitation to open dialogue and passionately unearth gritty topics that are often buried, The Martin will host an evening featuring live immersive storytelling by Gina Cornejo, DIRTY LAUNDRY the film and a post show Q&A. Witness Cornejo as she unapologetically discloses the irreverent unraveling of her marriage and divorce on her path to her Queer reclamation. Time to air the dirty laundry, Chicago!
Sunday, November 12th. Doors at 7pm, show begins at 7:30pm.
Mental Health & The Modern World
Mental Health & The Modern World
Join us for "Mental Health & the Modern World" on Thursday, October 5th, at 6 pm, hosted at the MARN ART + CULTURE HUB. Explore the crucial topic of mental health in today's world, with a focus on its impact in the wake of the 2020 pandemic.
Our event features prominent local Milwaukee artists and influencers who advocate for mental health through their respective fields and share their "Call to Action" for the community. Cornejo will be screening her 9 minute film "Atmosphere," which features her autobiographical writing and performance. She is featured in the film with collaborators Stewart Owen Dance (husband and wife dancers and choreographers, Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen) and Michael-Jamar Jean Francois (Asheville-based film filmmaker).
@GENISX.MKE @marn_arts @ginawilltravel
The Overlook with Matt Peiken
The Overlook with Matt Peiken
In our continuing audio residency with Story Parlor, this week's episode spotlights the West Asheville venue's Story/Arts Residency program. Past artists-in-residence Gina Cornejo and Meta Commerse share a bit about their experiences, along with what they created for their residencies.
April 13, 2023. Story Parlor Residency, Gina Cornejo and Meta Commerse. Episode 34.
Instagram: AVLoverlook | Facebook: AVLoverlook | Twitter: AVLoverlook
Creative Mornings | Asheville, NC
Creative Mornings | Asheville, NC
Through prose and lyric poetry, Gina Cornejo, xavia-margrith miles, and de’Angelo DIA explore the manifestation of corruption and embodied existence. THEME: Corruption.
March 31, 2023 Citizen Vinyl | 8:30AM
#creativemornings #creativemorningsasheville
Additional information: @asheville_cm
Community Sponsors: @unc_asheville @counterculturecoffee @horseandhero @thebigcrafty @jenbenmedia @blueridgepublicradio @avltoday
NO SIMPLE DISRUPTION
NO SIMPLE DISRUPTION
AN EVENING OF POWERFUL POETRY & MUSIC
AN EVENING OF POWERFUL POETRY & MUSIC
FEBRUARY 15 || Salvage Station || 6pm DOORS, 7pm SHOW
FEBRUARY 15 || Salvage Station || 6pm DOORS, 7pm SHOW
WITH JOHN MEDESKI & FRIENDS, OTEIL BURBRIDGE, VERNON REID, BRIAN JACKSON, DJ LOGIC, JEFF SIPE, & MAGGIE ROSE. Featuring three original spoken word + poetry pieces from GINA CORNEJO immersed within an atmospheric musical accompaniment.
WITH JOHN MEDESKI & FRIENDS, OTEIL BURBRIDGE, VERNON REID, BRIAN JACKSON, DJ LOGIC, JEFF SIPE, & MAGGIE ROSE. Featuring three original spoken word + poetry pieces from GINA CORNEJO immersed within an atmospheric musical accompaniment.
DIRTY LAUNDRY || project + progression || 2020-2022
GINA CORNEJO AIRS ‘DIRTY LAUNDRY’ FOR ALL TO SEE AND FEEL
GINA CORNEJO AIRS ‘DIRTY LAUNDRY’ FOR ALL TO SEE AND FEEL
The Mezzanine Podcast, with Cass Herrington (Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, North Carolina, 2/28/22)
"On today’s show, we’re going to meet a writer and performer who’s not afraid to touch topics that most of us would find too embarrassing or uncomfortable.
In fact, she says, it’s those themes that allow us to discover deep truths about ourselves.
Her name is Gina Cornejo, and her latest work is called “Dirty Laundry.” Because, that’s what it is – personal stories that she wants to air out publicly. She shares intimate details about relationships, marriage, and her personal journey with divorce.
The show was supposed to premiere in January at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, but the Omicron variant forced them to cancel. Instead, Gina and her collaborators with Stewart Owen Dance decided to film the piece and stream it online through the month of February. We’re going to talk to Gina about the stories that make up “Dirty Laundry” – then we’ll go further back to meet someone from her past who still joins her on stage."
Story Parlor Story/Arts Residency feat. Artist-in-Residence: Gina Cornejo
July 2022, Story/Arts Residency COMPLETED
Thursday, July 14 / Thursday, July 21 / Thursday, July 28 (SOLD OUT)
Gina Cornejo presents: “Dirty Laundry”
Cornejo is the first artist to recieve the Story/Arts Residency, selected by Erin Hallagan Clare, that will now be a staple of the curriculum and growth of Story Parlor, located in Asheville, North Carolina, inviting in creatives of all artistic and collaborative mediums. Story/Arts residency program champions BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and individuals from other historically marginalized groups by providing a platform for their work, an artist stipend, coaching opportunities, community support, and more.
DIRTY LAUNDRY is an intimate, autobiographical, and immersive performance written by Gina Cornejo and in collaboration with Stewart/Owen Dance. The creation of fresh iterations of DIRTY LAUNDRY continue to be imagined and will be revealed exclusively at Story Parlor. Guests will be immersed within projected multimedia of DIRTY LAUNDRY the film and live cringeworthy-yet-charming spoken word from Gina, as she unapologetically discloses the irreverent unraveling of her marriage and divorce. This genre-bending performance aims to unearth gritty topics that are often left buried, and is both an invitation to open dialogue and an offering of solidarity.
Note: This performance uses explicit language describing adult situations.
Recommended for ages 16+.
Stewart/Owen Dance and Gina Cornejo’s film performance of DIRTY LAUNDRY is made possible by the generous support
of private donors and Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
@dirtylaundry_avl
@ginawilltravel + @stewartowendance + @half_state + @storyparloravl
MIXED MEDIA
MIXED MEDIA
WORTHAM CENTER PRESENTS:
WORTHAM CENTER PRESENTS:
A SWANNANOA SOLSTICE
A SWANNANOA SOLSTICE
December 18, 2022 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
For the last 20 years, this beloved local holiday tradition has ushered in the winter season with a world-class display of folk, drawing in more fans each year. This season, Solstice welcomes a charismatic mix of new and returning artists to perform a seasonal variety show of Celtic, American-roots and world-influenced music — a multifaceted reflection of Appalachian heritage to spread wholesome holiday cheer. The 2022 line-up welcomes back Robin Bullock, Josh Goforth, Natalya Weinstein & John Miller as Zoe & Cloyd, Phil Jamison, E.J. Jones, and host Doug Orr. New to the celebration this season are storyteller Becky Stone and writer and singer Gina Cornejo and music collaborator MAR.
First Draft Resident Artist
First Draft Resident Artist
Gina Cornejo
Gina Cornejo
REVOLVE - Asheville, NC
"we are a contemporary art space that revolves around our community for our community"
September & October 2021
revolve.org @revolveavl
seetherbooks@gmail.com @seether_bookstore
when sugar was sugar was sugar
when sugar was sugar was sugar
Written & Performed by Gina Cornejo
Written & Performed by Gina Cornejo
First Draft Residence Artist
Sugar-rimmed and deviously detailed, Gina Cornejo, has crafted an intimate evening of 9 autobiographical tales of her examinations within the matrix of modern misogyny.
“when sugar was sugar was sugar” navigates the theme of eroded innocence of a once pure sweet tooth for love, freedom, trust, and respect. Elements of power play dynamics, heart-focused hierarchy, manipulation, and prismatic misogyny are sprinkled throughout the stories you will hear.
Candy is dandy but best consumed in moderation. There are intentionally more stories than time allotted for proper digestion. Therefore, each evening the audience will be given permission to collectively select the order in which to witness the show.
During her First Draft Residency, Cornejo became meticulous in formulating her vividly honest and flawed identity surrounding her nearly 40 years of male dominated relationships. “when sugar was sugar was sugar” serves as an over arching theme of the collective patriarchal relationships we are actively seeking relationships within in hopes to sever ourselves from old narratives and cultivate newness in being our unbound selves.
Within this tender sweetness of self-reclamation Cornejo has - finally, proudly - given herself permission to identify as Queer and she/her + they/them.
*with the sweet comes the sour: this event contains adult content as well as complimentary candy
"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" Wortham's Community Engagement Director, Jared McEntire, recorded a series of personalized songs to celebrate those who collectively pledged a challenge gift to support the end-of-year campaign. This rendition of "Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered," is performed by Asheville-based performing artist, writer, singer Gina Cornejo, with accompaniment by Jared McEntire.
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Music and lyrics by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers
(from the musical, Pal Joey).
Recorded in the Diana Wortham Theatre, 2020.
"I Say A Little Prayer/Breathe" Mash-up rendition for the Season Preview 2021-22 at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Spanish and English vocals are performed by Asheville-based performing artist, writer, singer Gina Cornejo, with acoustic guitar accompaniment by Jared McEntire.
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Original song "Breathe" by Lin-Manuel Miranda
(from the musical, In The Heights).
"I Say A Little Prayer" song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David,
sung by Dionne Warwick, 1966.
Recorded in the Diana Wortham Theatre, 2021.
Stewart/Owen Dance presents a timely, brand new performance experience.
Six local dance artists and four local writers team up to share moments of isolation and inter-connectedness that take viewers everywhere from the stage to the courtyard.
Still: Life is a beautiful and poignant journey of dance and spoken word vignettes set in five out-of-the-ordinary performance locations within the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts facility. Audiences travel with a guide in small, physically distanced groups to experience each point of the performance exhibit.
Still: Life, presented at the Diana Wortham Center, 2020.
Original writing and performance by Gina Cornejo, titled "Atmosphere," featured in Still: Life.
Performance collaboration with Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen.
Stewart/Owen Dance 2020 Season
. . .y más
. . .y más
Credentialed peregrina along the Camino de Santiago, The Way of Saint James, in Spain and Portugal.
Camino Frances, 2014
Camino Portugues, 2015
Camino Finisterre, 2017
Camino San Salvador, 2018
...as well as varied days hiking along the Camino Primitivo and Camino Norte.
"El Camino de Santiago, in English “The Way of Saint James,” is the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where legend has it that the remains of Jesus’s apostle Saint James the Elder lie. The Camino has existed as a Christian pilgrimage for well over 1,000 years, and there is evidence of a pre-Christian route as well. Throughout the medieval period it was one of the three most important Christian pilgrimages undertaken. Indeed, it was only these pilgrimages—to Jerusalem, to Rome, and to Santiago de Compostela—which could result in a plenary indulgence, which frees a person from the penance due for sins." American Pilgrims on the Camino website
Previous travels include: Peru, France, Spain, Germany, Japan, Morocco, Thailand, Costa Rica, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Portugal and 25+ US States.
FOR HIRE! HAVE SHOWS! WILL TRAVEL!
FOR HIRE! HAVE SHOWS! WILL TRAVEL!
Currently seeking a trusted agent/agency, publication for my writing, and creatives who desire collaboration.
Currently seeking a trusted agent/agency, publication for my writing, and creatives who desire collaboration.
Contact me for further conversation.
Contact me for further conversation.
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