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Overshadowed by concerns about the obesity epidemic in the United States is the growing problem of hunger. The 2010 census recorded the highest number of people ever to be found food insecure or hungry in the United States. The Census found that 14.5% of the population, which accounts for over 17 million people, or 1 in 7 Americans, were deemed food insecure. In Los Angeles, the LA Foodbank has found that the number of children receiving food aid has more than doubled since 2005. Over 400,000 children are now going hungry in LA County, with over 50 percent of LAUSD school children receiving free or reduced price lunches. 1.4 million California residents received federal food stamps in 2010, which increased from 1.1 million the year before.

Using these alarming statistics as a jumping off point, Cornerstone Theater has created a project called “The Hunger Cycle” to promote an awareness of food insecurity. Cornerstone Theater has commissioned nine plays, a city-wide festival, community dialogues and panel discussions to take place between now and 2016. Playwrights involved in the project include James McManus, Shishir Kurup and Larissa Fasthorse. Award winning playwright Lisa Loomer is the author of the first play in the series called “Café Vida”. The play, being produced in collaboration with Homeboy and Homegirl Industries, focuses on the story of two rival homegirls, Chabela and Luz, who want to start a new life free from the violence of the streets at Café Vida. The play runs from April 26th to May 20th at the Los angeles Theater Center on South Spring Street.

GUESTS: Lisa Loomer, playwright of Café Vida; Raquel Gutiérrez, Manager of Community Partnerships at the Cornerstone Theater; Lynette Alfaro, an actress who plays Chabela, in Café Vida

CAFE VIDA TIMES & DATES
APRIL 26 – MAY 20, 2012
previews April 26 – May 4; opening night – Saturday, May 5
Thursdays – Saturdays @ 8 p.m., Sundays @ 2 p.m.

LOCATION:
Los Angeles Theatre Center (LATC) – Theatre 3
514 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Visit www.cornerstonetheater.org to learn more and purchase tickets.