SFYT Dream Ensemble (Grades 10-College)
Fantasmitas: Cinco sueños regresando al Sur
Little Souls: Five Dreams of Returning to the South
Fantasmitas follows the adventures of five first-generation Latine youth, who have been separated from their families due to immigration policies. The children embark on a perilous, but exciting journey in hopes of reuniting with their loved ones. They escape zombies and coyotes, and search for the mythical one-eyed giant monster known as 'La Bestia.' Along the way they discover their own superpowers which help them during the increasingly complex journey.
The play mirrors the real life experiences of many migrants crossing the southern border who dream of being reunited with loved ones once again. Fantasmitas is a play geared toward a multigenerational audience. It is full of comedy, suspense, triumph and hope--telling a story that the whole family can enjoy and share together.
Written by Oz Jiménez
Directed by Dyana Díaz
Live Music by Sady Morales
Performed by Stephanie Barajas, Christian Jimenez, Andrea Ramirez-Martinez, Guillermo Ornelas, Génesis Ulloa
August 2024
Dancing Home
Dancing Home tells the story of two cousins, Margie, a US-born Mexican-American, and Lupe, a newcomer from Mexico who has come to live with Margie’s family. Their lives are so different that they struggle to connect as friends. When together, they discover a love for Mexican folklórico, they share a path to the place they call home.
Based on the novel by Alma Flor Ada & Gabriel Zubizarreta
Adapted & Directed by Dyana Díaz
Choreography by Pablo Jiménez García
Performed by SFYT DREAM Ensemble
2023-2025
The Afterlife
SFYT DREAM Ensemble: Fabian Bravo, Bianca Catalan, Zoe Chien, Arlette Flores, Eric Esquivel-Gutierrez, Edwin Jacobs, Kevin Obando, Homero Rosas
The Afterlife tells the story of two teenagers--Chuy, who dies by violence, and Crystal, who dies by suicide, who meet and fall in love in the afterlife, a magical realm between the living and the dead. Together they look back on their lives, seeing the beauty of the world left behind.
Renowned author Gary Soto has created a profound theatre experience that mixes humor and pathos to open the door for healing and connection, making us each understand our true value in the world.
Written by Gary Soto
Directed by Dyana Díaz with Cliff Mayotte
Music by George Brooks
Lighting by Colin Johnson
Costumes by Susana Aragón
Sets by John Ramirez
2018-2021
The Burials
West Coast Premiere!
Another day, another school shooting--only this time the shooter is the son of a prominent politician running for office. While daughter Sophie struggles with whether to support her father or reject his pro-gun stance, her classmates turn against her as they grieve the loss of their friends and their hope for the future.
The Burials takes a long, hard look at how high school youth affected by gun violence examine their place and value in the world. The play incorporates dynamic multimedia video and sound design as it examines social media’s role in the continuing debate about mass shootings.
Written by Caitlin Parrish
Directed by Cliff Mayotte
February 2018
Hamlet
SFYT’s production of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, is set against the backdrop of present day San Francisco, with Shakespeare's Danish monarchy transformed into tech giant Elsinore.com.
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Cliff Mayotte
Music by Schuyler Karr
San Francisco 2016
In and Out of Shadows
A musical by famed Chicano writer Gary Soto, based on interviews with Bay Area DREAMers, who dream and despair as they navigate the shadows of immigration policies. Set to a vibrant musical score, In & Out of Shadows tells the story of what it feels like to be undocumented. San Francisco Youth Theatre's professional ensemble actors bring their personal experience to the stage, mixing English, Spanish, Tagalog, Spanglish and other languages as they tell their stories with passion and humor.
“I loved absolutely everything about this show. It made me happy that there's people out there just like me. That they know what I'm going through. The things I have to go through everyday. I personally think they should play it everywhere.”
-Golden Valley High School DREAMer, Bakersfield, CA
Read about In & Out of the Shadows in the Atlantic.
Written by Gary Soto
Directed by Cliff Mayotte
Music by Emily Klion & George Brooks
2014-2016