The Michael’s Daughter Project: Aspire to Inspire
Actress Ciera Payton has been awarded the 2014 Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Grant. Every year the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs grants tourism tax money to arts based programs serving the greater Los Angeles area. The purpose is to bring arts programs to undeserved areas in Los Angeles in order to enrich the community and surrounding neighborhoods. This year 250 Los Angeles applicants were awarded the Artists in Residence Grant. Each grantee is required to partner with a host organization located in an assigned city council district.
Ciera Payton will partner with Casa Esperanza located in city council district 6 in Panorama City. Casa Esperanza is located in a neighborhood of severe poverty and heavy gang influence. Some of the youth that attend Casa Esperanza are at risk of dropping out of school and joining gangs. Ciera will use her talents and years of experience working with at-risk youth arts programs to teach the students acting and creative writing skills.
Over the course of 5 weeks, the students will be challenged to create original content which will be compiled into a theatrical stage production presented at Casa Esperanzing commencing on Friday August 8, 2014. For information about The Michael’s Daughter Project or Casa Esperaza, contact info@michaelsdaughter.org.
