Roccio “Chio” Cabrera

Bio:

Rocio “Chio” Cabrera, is a self-taught multi-disciplinary artist, marketer,  and entrepreneur from the West Side of Chicago.  As a puppeteer artist, she tells stories related to her Hispanic heritage and family. She explores the cultural influences and relationships between Spain, Mexico, Pre-Hispanic Indigenous Peoples, and the United States. This research sheds light on the dynamic identity and history of Mexican-Americans.

Combining her interest in miniatures and storytelling, Rocio has embraced puppetry. With a scholarship, Rocio produced two plays through the Chicago International Puppet Fest Toy Theater 1 & 2 Workshops under the mentorship of Roberto Rossi.  In these two plays she translated historical Spanish texts.  She handmade all the puppets and sets used in the production. 

Rocio is the founder of Marca Chicago, a marketing company where she creates digital and print marketing designs, social media content and copy, and branded photography shoots for Hispanic small-businesses across the city of Chicago.

“I grew up in Humboldt Park and have lived there most of my life. I briefly lived in Cicero, IL as a child. Humboldt Park is still my home years later but the area has changed dramatically. As a Mexican-American born to immigrant parents, I’ve spent time trying to find myself and my community in this city. I’ve learned that my community isn’t just the group of Mexican-Americans that look like me with similar stories. My community is made up of a diverse group of people of color, immigrants, queer, and working-class folks that are working towards making this city a home to all. It’s still important to have a strong support group of people who do look and relate to my experience as a first generation immigrant - but it’s very important to use that experience to extend empathy to other groups. I work at a nonprofit in Woodlawn, Sunshine Enterprises, and our mission is focused on helping underserved entrepreneurs in low-resourced areas. That mission extends to neighborhoods across the city, including Humboldt Park. I recognize that the effects of poverty and racism harm people of color in significant and lasting ways. Because of this, I feel unity and empathy with black communities in the South Side. I hope my performance of The Mayan Codices can bridge cross-cultural gaps between the marginalized Mexicans and other people of color.”