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Between Dirt & Sky


  • Brava Theater Center 2781 24th Street San Francisco, CA, 94110 United States (map)

Mission Academy of Performing Arts @ Brava presents

Between Dirt & Sky
A musical inspired by the life of César Chávez

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 7PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 21 3PM

BY CHARLES EURYDICE GRAY, playwright & librettist and LISA QUORESIMO, playwright, composer, & arranger

DIRECTED by Marcelo Pereira

PERFORMED by students of the San Francisco Youth Theatre, Cuicacalli Escuela De Danza, and Mariachi Juvenil La Misión, with production design provided by San Francisco Running Crew, Brava’s longstanding technical theater program for youth.

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Inspired by the life of American civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, Between Dirt & Sky fuses the early events of the American farm labor movement with the personal struggles of those who lived it. Set on the cusp of great change and social upheaval, it is a highly theatrical piece that invites contemplation and discussion.

Though inspired by historical events, Between Dirt & Sky is a topically relevant story that offers insight into present day issues such as immigration, labor practices, equality and national identity. Neither history recitation nor eulogy, Between Dirt & Sky explores the psyche of a uniquely American leader whose story is inspirational to both those steeped in the lore of La Causa (the cause) and to those new to its discovery. Between Dirt & Sky is the non-idealized telling of one man's journey from victim to activist. It is the story of a man who - like any other - struggles with his own limitations and desires.

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MISSION ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS @BRAVA is a consortium of youth arts programs that train students ages 13–18 in theatrical production and performance. The consortium includes San Francisco Running Crew, Brava’s hands-on training program in theater production, design, and management, run by Melvign Badiola; Cuicacalli Escuela de Danza, which explores the traditions of Mexican Baile Folklorico, hip hop, and modern dance styles, founded by Jesus Cortes; Mariachi Juvenil La Misión, where students learn mariachi-style music through individual coaching and classes, led by Ariana Cortes; and San Francisco Youth Theatre, offering students high quality performing instruction integrating drama, movement, and music, founded by Bay Area youth theater veteran Emily Klion.

MAPA is funded in part by California Arts Council, Department of Children Youth & Their Families, Grants for the Arts, Walter and Elise Haas Fund, Miranda Lux Foundation, and the San Francisco Arts Commission. The youth actor version of Between Dirt & Sky was first produced by the San Francisco Arts Education Project.

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Earlier Event: April 19
Black Benatar’s Black Magic Cabaret
Later Event: April 21
Landscape of Desire