Ni une más: Not one more
Ni une más (Not one more) is a groundbreaking world premiere production that weaves together music, theatre, and dance to amplify the voices of survivors of gender-based and sexual violence. This collaborative work, created alongside survivors, transforms silence into empowerment through deeply moving artistic expression.
From the emotional ballad “Te recuerdo” (I remember you) to the gritty “Metro Asfixia,” from the sharp irony of “This Doesn’t Happen at Michigan” to the defiant anthem “It’s Not My Fault,” each piece engages the audience in a shared journey of healing through the arts. Led by GRAMMY-nominated composer and artistic director Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra, and co-created with award-winning journalists Ana Ávila and María Arce and athlete Tad DeLuca, Ni une más gives voice to lived experiences through original material. The title echoes a rallying cry heard across Latin America, confronting femicide and domestic violence head-on.
As gender-based violence continues to impact communities both locally and globally, Ni une más brings visibility to this crisis—showing how artistic storytelling and survivors' voices can ignite change and foster collective recovery.
Act One: Mexico City–
from fear to empowerment
The first act of Ni une más begins in Mexico City, where machismo culture casts a long shadow. After a powerful opening chorus, journalist Ana Ávila shares her personal story of domestic abuse, isolation, and the courage it took to seek a restraining order against the abuser.
As the act unfolds, Ana and her colleagues confront a deeply rooted issue: the sexual harassment and assault that often go unpunished in the bustling metro system.
Amid the chaos of moving train cars, they reclaim their voices, standing together against gender-based violence with strength and solidarity.
This act captures not only the harsh reality faced by many women in Latin America, but also the spark of empowerment through collective action—laying the foundation for healing and resistance through storytelling via performance arts.
Act Two: Puerto Rico–
remembering Andrea,
redefining strength
In Puerto Rico, Ni une más takes a poignant turn as Alexandra honors the memory of her sister Andrea, who was tragically killed by an ex-partner. Through poignant dance sequences, Alexandra relives the warmth and vibrancy of their bond of sisterhood, echoing Andrea’s parting words to Alexandra as they’d end a phone conversation, “Okey, okey, te quiero. Bye,” a phrase that now carries both sorrow and love.
The chorus deepens the reflection, first repeating the harmful phrase, “Boys will be boys" before shifting into a powerful question: “What Does It Take to Be a Man?” This number dismantles toxic masculinity, revealing that true strength lies in gentleness, bravery in listening, and manhood in kindness instead of violence.
In a parallel story, María, a journalist who covered natural disasters, faces a personal crisis of partner violence and jealousy. Her escape becomes a journey of renewal, as she begins to heal through music, dance, and community support.
This act blends grief, resilience, and gender transformation, using the arts to challenge norms and inspire collective healing.
Act Three: Michigan–
from institutional betrayal to survivor solidarity
Act Three of Ni une más unfolds in Michigan, where athlete survivors Jon Vaughn, Trinea Gonczar, Tad DeLuca, and Chuck Christian bravely recount stories marked by repeated institutional betrayals. Despite being failed by the systems meant to protect them, these survivors demonstrate incredible tenacity and courage as they build a powerful, close-knit support network rooted in empathy and trust.
This act reaches emotional heights through a series of moving songs: the heartfelt ballad “We Can Heal Together,” the fierce anthem “Hail to the Victims,” and the uplifting signature piece “Lookin’ for Love.” Each piece becomes a clarion call for healing, showing how solidarity and truth-telling can lead to justice through community and the transformative power of music.
In this final act, Ni une más highlights how even the deepest wounds can inspire resilience, and how survivors—united in purpose—can reclaim their voices.
