Monica Sanchez, the Artistic Director of Cazateatro Biligual Theatre Group, has been educating the greater Memphis community on Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) traditions for over twenty years. Cazateatro’s signature program is the Day of the Dead Parade & Festival, held annually in collaboration with the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and Overton Square. The festival invites families to remember and honor their deceased loved ones. This hallmark event allows people from many different cultures to participate and learn about Mexican and Mexican American culture.
Day of the Dead will be celebrated November 1-2 in 2025. One of the key elements of this holiday is the construction of the Altar de Muertos (ofrenda). Monica learned the tradition of Día de Muertos through family customs and teachings at home. Monica explains, “From an early age, my mother explained the meaning behind the different elements of the celebration and emphasized the importance of keeping this tradition alive as a way to honor and remember our ancestors.” Over the years, she has studied the tradition deeply to learn the origins, evolution, and significance in Mexican culture. She is passionate about sharing her culture and representing the tradition as accurately and respectfully as possible. She shares her knowledge of altar making at family gatherings and with her daughter and granddaughter at home each year. Monica also hosts workshops during the Day of the Dead Parade and Festival for teachers and community members and participates in a school program story time about the significance of the altar. Monica explains, “Preserving and passing down the tradition of Día de Muertos is essential because it is a vital part of my cultural identity. This tradition honors the memory of loved ones who have passed away and keeps their presence alive in our hearts and minds. I believe it is important to teach the new generations, especially those born outside of Mexico, so they can stay connected to their roots and continue to celebrate and value their heritage.”
As part of the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program this year, Monica will be teaching her daughter, Soraya Xanat Flores, the structure, symbolism, and the significance of each component of the Altar de Muertos. They will do a deep dive of all the cultural traditions of Día de Muertos, focusing on its origins, history, and evolution through time. They will also explore how the celebration has evolved to incorporate new symbols like Frida Kahlo and Alebrijes, colorful fantastical creatures that have become important artistic representations connected to the celebration today.
Xanat explains, “My mom is the main person in our circle who teaches the full meaning behind the tradition… My goal is to truly understand the roots and meanings behind Día de Muertos so I can keep this tradition alive for myself, my family, and others. I want to be able to build an altar on my own, share the stories that go with it, and help people understand that this tradition is not about sadness, but about remembering and celebrating life.” For those with born in the United Stated with Mexican ancestry, learning these traditions helps connect them with their cultural heritage and allows the tradition to evolve in new cultural contexts. Xanat relays, “I believe it’s important to preserve because younger generations, especially those of us born outside Mexico, risk losing these traditions if we don’t make an effort to learn and share them.”
