ONGOINGThe place where it happens
The ensemble mixes traditional rhythms with devised scenes, turning courtyards into pop-up stages that draw in neighbors and passersby.
Cultural exchange
What we learn
We learn how rhythm carries history—and how movement can be both celebration and protest.
What we share
We share ensemble-making practices that amplify youth voice while honoring local music and dance vocabularies.
Community & context
Esmeraldas faces economic precarity and systemic racism. The ensemble is a joyful counter-space where youth can speak on their own terms.
Shared community needs
- Safe rehearsal spaces amid shifting neighborhood dynamics
- Sound equipment that can travel between outdoor sites
- Opportunities to tour work to nearby cities
Support this Drama Club
Stand with Esmeraldas Youth Ensemble.
Your support helps young artists access mentorship, arts education, and a creative home where they can process real-world challenges and imagine new futures rooted in their own culture and community.
501(c)(3) • Donations are tax-deductible
Artist pathways & projects
Artists learn how to build theatre with music as engine—where story is danced as much as spoken.
Lead team
Current projects
- Courtyard concerts + scenes
- Movement-and-drum storytelling
Visiting artists
A living lineage of artists who’ve made work with this club.
