Before being elected and making history as San Francisco’s first African-American female mayor, London Breed made a surprise appearance at a recent Handful Players production: Roy Conboy’s play, “When the Clouds Got Stuck.” After watching the May 2018 performance at the African-American Art & Culture Complex, Mayor Breed said “those young people just put the biggest smile on my face, one that I haven’t had for a very long time.”

The mayor recalled performing on the same stage as a child and spoke passionately about the importance of the arts in youth development and creative cultural expression. “It was my first opportunity to step out on stage and be encouraged by people [like Handful Players teachers], who support young people and support making sure that they have opportunities to express themselves in such an amazing way…The arts [are] so important in transforming lives.”

To show her appreciation, the Mayor presented all of the Handful Players with certificates on behalf of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Watch Mayor London Breed’s Speech:

And that’s just the beginning! We’re also providing after-school musical theater programs at the Buchanan YMCA to elementary students from John Muir, Rosa Parks and New Traditions schools. Middle schoolers at KIPP SF Bay Academy with a passion for dance are attending our after-school classes. And at Booker T., middle school students will immerse themselves in the art of spoken word and dance and we’re even offering a little clowning (around) for the 1^st & 2^nd graders.

New & Familiar Faces

Fall marks the return of some familiar faces as well as some bright new artists to Handful Players.  We’re happy to welcome back Embodiment Project dancer Amber Julian, in a dynamic new capacity. Amber teaches our middle school dance program at Booker T., helping them break in their new facility! Joining Amber at Booker T. is the incredibly talented and eloquent Tassiana Willis. Tassiana is launching a new spoken word program. Wonderful additions to our broad handful of talent!

Our New Resident Playwright

Handful Players is proud to announce this season’s resident playwright: Roy Conboy, a gifted writer, director and teacher of Latino/Mixed Blood descent. Roy will write an original play addressing themes that are academically, culturally and socially relevant to the students of the Western Addition. The play, starring the kids, will have its world premiere next year at the African American Art & Complex. As the head of San Francisco State University’s Playwriting Program for more than 20 years, Roy has brought the program to national prominence, with several graduates achieving internationally acclaimed, award-winning careers. In addition to his vast experience as an educator, Roy is committed to working with young people.  Two children’s plays he wrote, “Hot Tamale/Tamale Caliente” and “El Canto del Roble/The Song of the Oak”, recently toured Central California schools through PCPA Theaterfest of Santa Maria. Roy joins an illustrious group of playwrights who have generously contributed their talents to Handful Players over the past decade, resulting in 95 original plays:  Marcus Gardley, Nick Olivero, Andrew Saito, Eugenie Chan, Jeff Raz, Lauren Gunderson and Chinaka Hodge.

We are thrilled to offer such a full and enriching new season to students of the Western Addition, and we’re overjoyed at the chance to work with a handful of amazing artists who bring the learning to life.

With new programs, new faces and new talent, this year promises to be one full of fun, growth and creative expression.

We can’t wait for the curtains to rise!

There are two things we all want for our kids over the summer break from school: 1) Keep them learning and 2) Keep them active. That’s where the Mo’MAGIC Summer Showcase comes in. Kids get free, beautifully illustrated books from a diverse reading list, including titles about Cesar Chavez, Wilma Rudolph, Rosie the Riveter and Ramadan. Then they act, sing and dance to bring these stories to life, in performing arts workshops with Handful Players and working on plays by playwright Chinaka Hodge. Now all that creativity and hard work is about to pay off! Join us 1pm on Wednesday, July 26 at the Jewish Community Center for live performances starring the bright, talented kids from our community. Students from the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, the Boys & Girls Club Don Fisher Clubhouse, Buchanan YMCA, Margaret Hayward Rec-Connect, Magic Zone and Up on Top programs will be putting on an amazing show you don’t want to miss. The Jewish Community Center is 3200 California Street (@ Presidio Ave), San Francisco.