Theater Arts/Community Service/West Coast

[Jan Demorest]

I'm looking for information about any theater arts programs that work with at-risk kids, youth and/or adults in substance abuse treatment programs, or anything related. I know a 25-yr-old acting graduate who is about to enter a treatment center to get clean of alcohol and drugs; I'd like to investigate alternatives for him when he comes back out to begin rebuilding his life. He will need to earn money....the West would be best.

[debbie hicks]

Hi Jan,

It's good that you feel supportive of your friend as he takes those 'baby steps' into recovery. From my experience with recovering friends, he'll probably be advised to make no major changes, unless unavoidable, the first year.

I'm not suggesting these as employment options, but as interesting models to check. You might look up the Ogitcheedag Players on the Indigenous People's Task Force site, a Twin Cities Native HIV/AIDs service with a youth theater that is dynamite.

Spider Woman Theater from New York City have mentored this ensemble...and their Native theater produces works that play in part on themes around substance abuse and recovery. So have works by Leanne Howe and the Wagon Burner Theater Troupe.

These works might interest him...you...ya'll, if as models for creating your own stage when other venues lurk very far back in too distant 'wings'.

Good luck,

Debbie

[elisabetha77]

Jan-

Cornerstone Theater has just recently started offering itself as a place for folks to do community service. In addition, we had a ten-year history of working with communities in Los Angeles where the youth are termed "at risk". Currently, we are casting out Black AIDS/Black Faith project which will include in its cast people affected by or living with HIV/AIDS. So far we do have some folks who have recently graduated from drug treatment programs involved in the play development process, including the recovery ministires from African-American churches in South Central Los Angeles.

Please offer some more information about your friend - I'm not sure if by in the West you mean Los Angeles. Perhaps I can do some more research into possible involvement with Cornerstone.

I will have to be honest in saying that pay may be an issue. We do offer community participants a small stipend for participating in our productions, but it isn't a lot of money.

Also, one of our Community Partners is the Watts Labor Community Action Committee - perhaps they can serve as a resource? www.wlac.org

Best,

Elizabeth Gonzalez
Director of Community Partnerships
Cornerstone Theater Company