SAN DIEGO — A new children's play at Balboa Park is drawing inspiration from both sides of the border. In this Zevely Zone, I hit the stage.
San Diego Junior Theatre operates as an independent, nonprofit organization for the benefit of children throughout San Diego County and is the oldest youth theatre program in the country.
Theater has the power to connect with the audience and in this case with our neighbors to the south, Mexico.
San Diego Junior Theatre is rehearsing for Tomas and the Library Lady which opens in Balboa Park on Friday, January 12.
"It's based on the real-life story of Tomas Rivera who was the first Chicano chancellor of a UC," said the production's director, Patrice Amon. She is a Junior Theatre alum herself.
"It was life-changing. It allowed me a very shy kid from the South Bay to get on the stage and find this new art form."
San Diego Junior Theatre is celebrating its 76th year.
"I saw a show here when I was probably ten years old and I was really surprised that kids were able to do this," said Jimmy Saba. He is the theater's executive director and also an alum of the nation's oldest continuously running children's theater.
Throughout the years, they've made an impact on many young San Diegans. "It's got to be millions of kids," said Jimmy. "I found a home here I found a way to kind of express myself and feel comfortable with myself, I found a group of people who were like me."
That inclusive feeling is both for the actors and audience. Julie Novak from the Bucks 4 Busses program brings underserved students to this theater for free. "So many children who come here are seeing live theater for the first time and that is magical for them," said Julie. San Diego Junior Theatre has formed an alliance with World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 which is a year-long celebration of our innovative cross-border region.
According to their website, the World Design Organization® (WDO), is a globally recognized non-governmental organization that promotes and advances the discipline of design through collaboration and international programming, as well as engagement with more than 180 member organizations. World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 is so much more than a series of events for designers. It is developing into a year-long, cross-border platform to spark these important community conversations. WDC 2024 aims to bring together millions of people from around the to exchange ideas.
"San Diego is a bi-national region. The region that we live within has its identity because of the two countries that come together in this very special city, we have the busiest land port crossing in the entire Western Hemisphere," said Patrice. Now they hope you'll come support a children's play that celebrates two languages, countries and cultures coming together.
"The yellow cat sleeps, the yellow cat sleeps, my tongue is tired," said Julieta Flores (10) who plays Tomas. "Good reading takes lots of practice," quipped Lina Butcher (14) who plays the Library Lady.
For more information about show times and tickets for Tomas and the Library Lady click here.