I am humbled to have been able to participate in the Sounding of the Conch Shell summer camp for indigenous youth in Belize. I am eternally grateful to have helped facilitate in any way that I could as indigenous youth developed action plans based on their joys, pains, and dreams for the future. I met so many wonderful people from all around the world, including indigenous youth/allies from Manitoba, Canada, and could not be more fortunate. Big thank you to Cristina and Pablo Mis for letting me stay in their home while I was here, and for informing me about this amazing opportunity. Big thank you to all of the chaperones, teachers, youth, musicians, and everyone who helped to make this what it was. You and this experience will forever be with me in my heart <3
CAT Youth Theatre Production of Walls
At the beginning of this year, I joined an organization called the CAT Youth Theatre. Up until that point, I have had very little luck in fitting in such a new environment, after moving to New York City from south Florida. CAT gave me friends that I will know for the rest of my life, and I will always appreciate that.
The value of what CAT does cannot be overstated. Even if you aren’t typically involved in theatre, the playbuilding activities used by CAT to write/act in it helps people from all walks of life to come out of their shells, get to truly connect with one another. It’s been a very formative experience for me, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
This all culminated in Walls, an original show devised by the company. It has been a long couple of months filled with rehearsals, but it all paid off in the end. Thank you to all the directors, especially Helen. You do incredible work for young people, and that is not lost on me.