About

This site, Ysidora, documents Christa Forster’s 2014 transmedia performance, What’s on [My] Mind?

In this project, Forster investigates race, identity, kinship and annexation from the point of view of an intergenerational persona, one whom Forster creates through fusing an 18th century female ancestor with her contemporary self. In six monologues woven together with popular and original songs, Forster dramatizes the parallels and complexities that repeat across generations, and she explores how one’s individual lifespan generates larger, eternal questions of identity and legacy.

What’s on [My] Mind? was written and directed and performed by Christa Forster in 2013 and 2014. It premiered at 14 Pews in Houston, Texas. It features musicians Gino Guerrero, Kevin Jefferies and Todd Leger. Directing assistance from Anthony Barilla. Technical Assistance from Izabella Guerrero and Chris Bakos. 

Live Performance
March 12, 2014
8pm and 10pm CST/6pm and 8 pm PST
14 Pews, 800 Aurora Street
Houston, Texas 77008
Please visit 14 Pews website for reservations.

This evening’s performances will be simultaneously streamed using Google Hangouts to EZTV Headquarters, 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica, California, 90404

#1850charla
Twitter Chat
February 28, 2014

(1967- ) Christa Forster is a writer, performer, musician and educator in Houston, Texas. Born into a historically significant, multi-racial family which presents as white, or “passes,” she connects with her Afro-Hispanic-Californio ancestor, Ysidora Pico de Forster, to explore how one’s individual lifespan generates larger, eternal questions of identity and legacy.

Ysidora Pico de Forster (1808 — 1883)

Maria Ysidora Ygnacia Pico was born April 4, 1808. Her brothers were Andres and Pio Pico. She grew up in San Diego and Los Angeles, married John (Don Juan) Forster in 1836 and gave birth to six children,  three of whom lived to adulthood: Marcos Antonio, Francisco (Chico) and Juan (Juanon) Forster. A pious Catholic, Ysidora held the job of “la llavera,” the key keeper. Her task was to keep the young women on the family’s rancho safe, which she did by locking them in her bedroom attic in order to keep them out of the men’s reach. 

@YsidoraPico (2013- )

@YsidoraPico was born to dance. She premiered her inaugural piece, Aphrodite in her Gilded Chainmail Nightie, on December 31, 2013 in Vanessa Blaylock Company’s Dance for Camera: The Planets, in Oceania Planetary Park LEA 27. Currently, she is inspiring Forster for the March 12, 2014 live performance of What’s on [My] Mind?

This project is funded by grants from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

Link to press release