American Latino Theatre Teams Up with AIDS Healthcare Foundation

October 16, 2009 09:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fresh off the heels of its successful opening of Arthur Meiselman’s AIDS drama Hello and …Goodbye!, the American Latino Theatre (AmLT) announces its partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). This effort aims to create a stronger connection between the two organizations and targets the Latino community to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. A special benefit performance hosted by AIDS Healthcare Foundation will be held on Saturday, October 17, as a joint fundraiser which will fund further initiatives to raise AIDS awareness.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is also instrumental in the launch of the AmLT Youth Theatre Program. The first phase of this endeavor is to bus students from inner-city schools to attend special matinee performances of Hello and…Goodbye!, followed by a Q and A session with representatives from AIDS Healthcare Foundation. This initiative is meant to augment health education and raise questions about social issues faced by minorities including sexuality and gender identity.

The program includes busing students from various inner-city schools to ‘the lot’ (formerly Warner Hollywood Studios) in West Hollywood where the special performances will run Tuesday, October 20 through Thursday, October 22 at 4:00 p.m. Due to the mature nature and themes addressed in the play, audiences will be limited to high school juniors and seniors. Participating schools are: CALS High School, International High School, Soledad Enrichment Actions High School, Camino Nuevo High School, College Ready #5 High School, and College Ready #7 High School.

The AmLT Youth Theatre Program is made possible through a partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, who will sponsor the event, and the Youth Policy Initiative. Representatives from AIDS Healthcare Foundation will be on site to offer information about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, as well as stationing a mobile testing unit at ‘the lot’ offering free testing to students, employees, and tenants of ‘the lot.’ All performances will culminate with an open discussion about issues relating to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases to augment sex education which has been diminished due to budgetary cuts.

The students’ unique experience will continue as they will be treated to a tour of ‘the lot,’ the oldest functioning film lot in Hollywood. This tour will give them an opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the entertainment industry, as well as learning about one of Hollywood’s historical landmarks.