Brava!
for Women in the Arts 
2781 24th Street
San FranciscoCA94110
415-641-7657415-641-7657
Program: Drama Divas Year Started : 1991 Focus: Theater Youth Served: 20 Ages: 15-21 Budget: N/A For 3-6 hours every week, a group of 15-20 gay and lesbian youth, most of whom are Latino, meet at Brava!, a nonprofit arts organization, to talk, write and act. Once a year, the participants put on a performance at Brava!'s theater. But, on any given day of the week, these young "Divas"may perform one of their pieces at a local conference, an awards dinner, a banquet, youth shelter or festival. The performances, which are all scripted, are based on real-life experiences and deal with such issues as relationships, gender, class, family and race. The youth learn not only about acting, but also about lighting, stage design and theater direction and production. Most of the youth are paid through the Mayor's Office on Children, Youth and Families to participate in the program, assist with Brava!'s adult performances and attend career training workshops. "through the Drama Divas program, the participants have gained work experience, have been able to travel, have had access to many talented professional artists and have received positive recognition. This program provides some constancy in the crazy lives of these youth," sums up Cathy Arellano, general manager. |