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Art-As-Celebration-of-Life
SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL CANCER PATIENTS
TO PERFORM ORIGINAL THEATER PIECE
"Life...is 4 Living!"
July 15, 17 & 18
www.caresfgh.org
 Performances:
Wednesday, July 15th*, 5 PM
SF General Hospital, Carr Auditorium,
1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco
Friday, and Saturday, July 17 & 18**, 7:30 PM
Mission Cultural Center
2868 Mission Street, San Francisco
*The July 15th program at SF General Hospital is free to the public.
**A $15 donation is requested at the door for Mission Cultural Center
performances
 The ARACELI Theater Project presents
"Life . . . is 4 Living!," an original script and production that gives
voice to the complex personal, political and spiritual beliefs
surrounding the cancer experience. Acclaimed theater actor/director
Donald E. Lacy, Jr. directs this theatrical production, which was
written by members of Araceli Theatre and Mr. Lacy.
The
Araceli Theater Project is patient-centered, and reaches many
individuals who face tremendous challenges related to poverty and their
arising medical needs. The Project culminates in a multilingual
performance (English/Spanish/Cantonese) addressing specific themes
related to a cancer diagnosis, including: emotional responses to the
disease, socio-political views, interpersonal dynamics, and
interactions with the health care system. The project is a component
of the nationally recognized and award-winning CARE (Cancer Awareness,
Resources, and Education) program of San Francisco General Hospital .
 Araceli: A loose acronym signifying ARt As CElebration of LIfe.
The Araceli Theater Project was also named in memory of Araceli Vargas,
a young mother and passionate Spanish CARE (Cancer Awareness, Resources
and Education) participant who lost her battle with cervical cancer in
2004.
The Araceli Theater Project is offered through the award-winning CARE
program of San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH). CARE was initiated
in 2002 to provide education, psychosocial support, and community
building opportunities to cancer patients receiving their medical care
at SFGH. Araceli Theater is an inovative multi-lingual
(English/Spanish/Cantonese) patient-centered theater project that grew
out of CARE, and is directed by experienced performing arts
professionals. During the course of the Araceli Theater Project,
participants are guided through a theater exploration that culminates
in an original theatrical production, written, conceived, and performed
in collaboration with project participants. Most of the participants in
the Araceli Theater Project have no acting experience at all, and have
chosen to venture onto a new stage at a critical juncture in their
lives. The program fosters dialogue among different patient and
provider communities and aims to encourage a deeper awareness of the
complex issues surrounding the cancer experience.
Gratitude
to the generous sponsors and supporters- the San Francisco Arts
Commission, the San Francisco Foundation, Rainbow Grocery Cooperative,
El Metate, Good Frickin' Chicken, and A Black Tie Affair catering.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
When
I was presented the opportunity to direct a s cript with people who
were living with, and or have lost loved ones to cancer, I felt a deep
sense of responsibility to tell the story correctly. After all, these
are real stories, with real people, who are not "professional actors."
To be more succinct, I wanted the story to tell me what it wanted to
say. The first day of rehearsal I turned on my digital recorder and
documented the stories of the wonderful people who make up our fine
ensemble. I was moved to tears as I heard them the first time, and
moved even deeper when I listened to their stories over and over.
I
was inspired by the remarkable courage, and optimism exhibited by
people who had faced death, and lived to tell the story. All I did was
craft the individual stories that the cast told me, into a play that
contains the experiences that they shared with me those first few
rehearsals. After several weeks of rehearsing and reliving the pain and
triumph of some of the most beautiful people I have ever known, I can
honestly say in my 25 years in theater that this is by far one
experience I will never forget. I have been truly blessed to meet and
work with such high quality individuals as the people you will see on
stage tonight. I am sure you will find that Life . . . is 4 Living! is
a s tory that has been waiting to be told. It is my deepest hope that
this play will help us all develop an appreciation for the gift that
life is . . . for all of us. Thank you for sharing this special
production with us. Peace and blessings to all . . . .
Donald E. Lacy, Jr.
Director/Writer
ARACELI PLAYERS
 Gerald Austin was
born and raised in San Francisco 's Western Addition and was a member
of the first graduating class of McAteer High School . Gerald is a
married father of four and grandfather of eight. Gerald is a talented
singer who performs with the acappella trio Divinity. In 2006, Gerald lost his is son Gerald Jr. to an aggressive form of cancer.
Mary Lou Benitez
was born in Manila in the Philippines and emigrated to San Francisco in
1999. Mary Lou is a s ingle mother of two sons and a daughter. She
has overcome homelessness and addiction to crack cocaine. Her ovarian
cancer was discovered early and she is currently in remission.
Shelia Cole
was born and raised in San Francisco and graduated from Balboa High
School . She is a gifted writer and passionate singer. Shelia
possesses a s trong faith and is active with the Olivet Church , which
promotes gospel as a way to celebrate African American heritage.
Shelia has stage four breast cancer.
James "Jimbo" Garrett
was born in Marshall , Texas and raised in San Francisco 's Haight
Ashbury, Bayview/Hunter's Point, and Visitation Valley neighborhoods.
He is the father of three and grandfather of seven. He is a talented
musician who played bass with a band that toured military bases
throughout the West Coast. Jimbo was diagnosed with lung cancer in
2004.
Delia Gonzalez moved to San Francisco from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 1989. She
is a s ingle mother of two beautiful children. Delia is a nurse
assistant at a s enior center and teaches Spanish at St. Martin College
. Delia lost her father to cancer. Her sister Maria is a breast
cancer survivor.
Maria Hernandez
was born and raised in El Salvador and moved to San Francisco for
economic reasons, where she was diagnosed with stage three breast
cancer in 2007. Maria received her B.S. in Social Studies at the
Universidad Modular Abierta in San Salvador, El Salvador. She has a 23
year old daughter living in El Salvador and a 16 year old son. Her son
recently made a perilous journey to the US to join Maria in San
Francisco.
Juanita Kindler
is from Canton , Ohio . She came to California in a hippy van at the
age of 18. Juanita is a talented artist who can draw anything. She
has an 18 year old son who lives in Monterey . Juanita was addicted
to crystal meth for 11 years and has been clean since 1997. She is a s
ingle lesbian currently looking for a woman with whom to spend the rest
of her life. Juanita was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2002
and still feels that she has a good five years left to live and to
love.
Jerry Tubis is
a poetic soul who lives in San Francisco 's Tenderloin district. An
accomplished xylophone player and singer, Jerry loves playing and
listening to all kinds of music. His experience with colon cancer and
involvement in the CARE group have given him a deep appreciation for
life and taught him to value every moment.
JoJo Wong
was born and raised in Hong Kong where she worked in the hotel
business. She moved to New York City in 1994, and then to San
Francisco in 2006. JoJo is a s ingle mother of three daughters - two
of whom live in San Francisco and one who lives in Hong Kong . JoJo
is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, and speaks a little
Japanese. She is a breast cancer survivor.
Ca'ron Yvette
was born and raised in San Francisco and graduated from Balboa High
School . She has been a computer technician and a s kin care
consultant. Ca'ron has stage three breast cancer. She has endured
chemotherapy, radiation, a bilateral mastectomy, and breast
reconstruction. Ca'ron is a proud cancer survivor whose experience has
given her new strength and awareness.
INVITED ARTISTS
Michael Cheng is
an accomplished actor who is grateful to be working with Donald Lacy
and the Araceli Theater Project. Michael has worked with several
theater companies in the Bay Area, including Campo Santo, Shotgun
Players, Aurora Theater , CentralWorks, Word for Word, and Porchlight
Theater Co.
C. Kelly Wright
CREW
Artistic Director/Writer: Donald E. Lacy, Jr.
Donald
E. Lacy is an actor, director, writer, producer, radio broadcaster, and
founder of the LoveLife Foundation - a community-based organization
that speaks out against violence. Donald has won copious honors and
awards for his dedication to the community and contributions as an
artist.
Producer/Dramaturge: Blue Walcer, MPH
As
Founder and Director of San Francisco General Hospital's CARE program,
Blue works to provide culturally and linguistically relevant health
education, psychosocial support, and community building opportunities
for the hospital's cancer survivors. Blue remains grateful to all the
amazing cancer survivors she's worked with who have taught her so much
about life and love.
Co-Producer: Angela Alvarez
Angela
Alvarez is the program coordinator for San Francisco General Hospital
's CARE program and co-producer for the Araceli Theater Project.
Angela's background includes work with women and children with
HIV/AIDS, coordinating programs for youth, people with disabilities,
and the elderly.
Stage Manager & Lighting Design: Gretchen Werner
Gretchen
has had the pleasure to work on shows at The American Conservatory
Theater, Intersection for the Arts, The Marsh, The Lab, Laney College
and has had the honor to work with groups such as Felonious, Darvag,
Golden Thread, Ross Dance Company, and Nguyen Dance Company.
Program Evaluator/Understudy: Yakira Teitel
Yakira
Teitel is a post- Bac pre- med student at Mills College in Oakland ,
and is honored to have joined the Araceli Theater Project. Yakira has
an extensive background as a muralist, theater artist, teacher and
community activist.
Filmmaker: Amal Kouttab
Amal
Kouttab is a registered drama therapist, prevention educator, and
filmmaker. She is currently Director of Community Initiatives at San
Francisco Women Against Rape, serving survivors of sexual assault. Amal
has used drama, art and writing to facilitate therapeutic groups in a
variety of settings in New York City and the Bay Area.
Araceli Theater Project Founding Director: Flavia Alejandra Maucci
Flavia
Alejandra Maucci is co-founder of Spanish CARE, and founding director
of the Araceli Theater Project. Flavia has worked with Latino families
dealing with developmental disabilities at the Golden Gate Regional
Center . She co-founded a theatrical group that addressed social
issues in Rome , Italy .
For photos and further information on the Araceli Theater Project:
Contact Kim McMillon at (510) 681-5652, or Angela Alvarez at (415) 206-5912.
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