"Because It's Sunny in L.A. (Especially on Skid Row), an immersive musical about homelessness and poverty.

This immersive musical is designed to culturally change the way people think and feel about homelessness.This full-length original play is about the severe nature of homelessness in Los Angeles. Follows 5 homeless characters and their stories living on Skid Row in Los Angeles. Every person has a different reason why they are homeless. U.S. News and World Report recently published that nearly 1000 people every year die from issues of homelessness in LA.  During the pandemic, this number rose to over 5 people a day.

It consists of five main characters (plus ensemble) who each have an individual and unique story as to the reasons they arrived at homelessness. The play touches on issues of family, addiction, mental and physical illness, veterans’ issues, security issues, and economic, gender, and racial inequalities. The idea for this play came from my own struggles with homelessness for nearly a decade (on and off) of my adult life and childhood. My love for theatre, music, and performance often collided with my need for food and shelter.

It also brings to light some of the obstacles and perspectives that have perpetuated their homelessness and assists an audience in becoming more attune and empathetic to issues of homelessness in Los Angeles. 

The concept started in 2018 and realized it to be a form of community involvement to raise awareness, assist in systematically changing out culture through theatre and the arts and to help FUNDRAISE for local community organizations that work on fighting issues of systemic homelessness and poverty. Part of the proceeds will go to raise money for homeless shelters and centers focused on alleviating poverty. In addition to the show,  multiple components of  community service integration, not limited to, but including:

1. 2-3 community engagements with talkbacks after the show, including special guests like political and private leaders.

2. A merchandise table to fundraise for local organizations that work to alleviate poverty and homelessness. Playbooks, shirts, hats, T-shirts, documentary of making the production, posters, books, etc.

3. Attitudinal surveys before and after some shows, that will seek to quantify data on cognitive and emotional responses/changes based on viewing and participation in the performances.

4. Immersive audience involvement during the performances.

5. Side fundraisers (pass the bucket) for local shelters and women’s centers.

6. Essential supplies drop offs to the skid row community for the unsheltered.