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 single 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 strong 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 single mother of two beautiful children. Delia is a nurse assistant at a senior 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 single 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 single 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 skin 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 honors include several Dean Goodman and Bay Area Theatre Critics Awards for her work in various Bay Area Theatres. Her film work includes the starring roles in upcoming feature films Angel Wishes and Every Day Black Man, and for television The Henry Lee Project with Danny Glover. This labor of love is dedicated to the Cancer warriors she has lost: her mother Carolyn (lung), brother Kenneth (throat), partner Durio (bone), father Paul (prostate), sister Helena (breast cancer survivor).


CREW BIOGRAPHIES

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.

Photos by: Nicole Franco
www.nicolefranco.com

back to top