He is a Chicano writer/performer known for his work in poetry, theatre, short stories, performance, and journalism. He is the first-ever resident playwright of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the recipient of a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation fellowship, popularly known as a “Genius Grant.” He is featured in over 25 anthologies and has an award-winning spoken-word CD and PBS short film,Chicanismo. His plays and performances, including Bruja, Oedipus El Rey, Electricidad,Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Black Butterfly, and Straight as a Line have been performed around the world.