“...[Breath of Fire] created a shared and safe space for us to come together to write... The benefits of this have been immeasurable. I find I am more creative and more prolific. And during these pandemic times, the Playwriting Meetup has become an invaluable outlet [and]...has been a lifesaver for me would be an understatement. Thank you to all who make it happen.” - Margo L. Rofé
(Ensemble pictured: Staged Stories Ep#3 Q&A)
Since the quarantine, Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble quickly shifted its programming to an online platform. We took a leap of faith with the hopes of staying engaged with our community. We understand that art is essential, reflective and healing in times like these.
“Breath of Fire was one of the first theatre companies to transition to Zoom for playwriting and development. In fact, according to the Dramatists Guild, we were the FIRST theatre in SoCal to start offering work and classes online. We have opened our virtual door to everyone needing an artistic home in this isolated and scary time. Through the workshops we have met and developed many strong writers and artists from across the country and have developed plays in New York, Arizona and SoCal. We’ve been actively growing as a national company and couldn’t be more excited to see what the future brings.” - Diana Burbano, Literary Director of Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire is an award winning, the only culturally specific, Latina theater company in Orange County, California. Based in downtown Santa Ana, it came into existence to support the work and enrich the lives of Latinas in the performing arts; to provide representation; opportunities and leadership roles in our arts communities.
In solidarity with supporting local Black and Brown organizations, Breath of Fire has partnered with the Black Student Union of Garden Grove High School, @gghsbsu student lead group, to listen, share and hold space and look at ways we can grow, in generating more awareness and support for the youth in our community who are involved in organizing and demanding equity and change. And, additionally a partnership with Brown Bag Theater Company at the University of Irvine, an ensemble of artists & scholars who aim to produce equally engaging & captivating artistic work that reflects & empowers the Latinx communities.
Breath of Fire continues to strive to support its mission and to serve as an incubator for underrepresented voices in theater, by providing programming that offers guidance in the art of storytelling, playwriting, producing, and acting and now online. These workshops bring seasoned writers, playwrights, and actors to facilitate high quality theater making workshops for local Orange County residents, at no cost. No one is ever turned away for lack of experience. We are a volunteer based organization and have been able to do this work through our artist residency at Cal State University of Fullerton’s Grand Central Arts Center in Downtown Santa Ana, by support from artists of our community, volunteers, and donors like you. We make every little bit count and happy and appreciative to accept your generous tax-deductible donation, when you can spare it. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization. ‘ Please stop by our website, visit us on check out our programming, and sign up for our newsletter.
Sara Guerrero,
Founding Artistic Director
OUR PROGRAMMING:
STAGED STORIES: The Live Streamed Series: An evening of fun, thought provoking, relevant new works, poetry and interviews - a result of our commitment to holding space for artists in our community. DATES: 5/30, 7/18, 8/4, 9/19, 10/17, 11/14 @ 6PM/ PDT and 12/6 @ 2PM/ PDT
PAGE TO STAGE: Online, in-house readings of new developing full length plays by new, emerging, professional writers from our workshops and ensemble. Readings are free and available by invitation. Upcoming...
VENN DIAGRAM by Margo Rofé: 9/26 @ 2PM /PDT - VIVA KENNEDY CLUBS by Yolanda Mendiveles - 10/ 27 @ 6PM /PDT
COVID19 MONOLOGUE SUBMISSION: A one page monologue, celebrating and memorializing the life of someone who passed from the due to Covid19. One submission per writer. The first wave ends 9/27. This is in collaboration with Protest Play Project. Send questions to: Bofliterary@gmail.com / Submit @ www.breathoffire.org .
PLAYWRIGHT MEET-UP: A weekly gathering for writers. Include: prompts, reading pages of writers, providing constructive feedback and discussion, to build and create work. Lead by season artists and writers. NEW DATES coming for This FALL. CHECK our WEBSITE.
SUNDAY POWER HOUR: 1st Sunday of the month. One hour, very informal, no prompts, you, your story, and zoom friends. 10/4 & 11/1 @ 10AM / PDT
WWW.BREATHOFFIRE.ORG / @BOFLTE