EL ZÓCALO
El Zòcalo (EZ) – Spanish for “town square,” is the Alley Theatre’s cornerstone community engagement program.
El Zócalo was created to fill a void by creating Hispanic programming inspired by Houston’s rich Hispanic legacies. The Theatre is creating and maintaining collaborative opportunities for Hispanic artists and community members to share their stories, explore their heritage, and form meaningful connections that bridge the class and cultural divide that often exists between separate “neighborhoods.”
In its fifth year, El Zócalo has already seen immense growth and impact. The Alley is committed to the following long-range action steps:
• Continue to deepen long-term relationships with Houston’s Hispanic community members.
• Facilitate more programming in primarily Hispanic neighborhoods and schools, as well as on our stages.
• Promote Spanish Language Justice efforts throughout the organization and artistic endeavors.
• Increase the number of Hispanic stakeholders that guide the Theatre’s program planning, including guidance for an informed artistic product.
• Create entry points inside and outside our Theatre that strengthen our whole community through best collaborative community practices.
Black at It
Black AT It will work to establish and build collaborative relationships, and to expand access for artistic engagement with all of Houston’s diverse organizations, agencies, and schools, to support, develop, and implement strategies to ensure Alley’s programs are delivered with cultural sensitivity and a commitment to inclusion. With a focus on creating enduring reciprocal relationships, concentrating on the local community’s needs to establish permeable give-and-take relationships with community leaders and members, as well as non-profits and community-based organizations serving those communities.
“Black at It,” will begin with the establishment of a steering committee that will serve the Black community of Houston. The committee will advise, steer, and help produce pieces of art that will impact community members. The committee will be activists for the community advocating to provide a safe space for artists to be heard and make change. Through the resources of Alley Theatre and beyond, the committee will serve the community in ways that ensure inclusivity and progress is being made for Black actors, designers, visual artists, audience members and organizations.
