Teatro Izcalli, a Chicanx comedy troupe, has been performing throughout the United States at various conferences, theater venues and community spaces for over 25 years. Teatro Izcalli follows in the tradition of el Teatro Campesino and Culture Clash and presents the traditions, opportunities, and issues related to the Chicanx/Latinx community. Our actos (sketches) and plays address issues such as racism, identity, higher education, and immigration. Additionally, for the past five years Teatro Izcalli had a residency teaching teatro to the next generation of social justice storytellers in San Diego middle schools.

Beyond Teatro Izcalli, Izcalli provides deeper intervention services and assistance for middle and high school students through Circulo de Hombres (Circle of Men), an on-campus after school program that support Latino youth with making positive choices and becoming more engaged in school by providing them with male role models and enriching cultural programming. The organization also offers Circulo de Mujeres (Circle of Women) that connects girls to women mentors and a community of support within their schools. In addition to art making activities both programs use a “talking circle” format to engage youth in dialogue and reflection about their issues, such as sexuality, teen pregnancy, and the violence that impacts their communities.

Program Goals:
1. To establish positive communication with current high risk students based on suspensions, grades, homelessness, gangs and other issues that can lead to the pipeline to prison.
2. Recruit mentors from the community to assist as presenters and added support for students in the community.
3. Create enriching art and cultural activities which deepen students self-awareness and promote community involvement
5. Continue to build healthy rites of passage programs, retreats, and events, for young people of color.
6. Help youth to create a deeper connection to the land and with Mother Earth.