Teatro Milagro launches its 2016 national tour in Portland with Broken Promises by Olga Sanchez. This original work, created in collaboration with Planned Parenthood, is based on the true life stories of teen girls who are lured into prostitution.  The play will provide an opportunity to discuss sexual health in underserved communities and will be paired with “Healthy Relationships” workshops that are currently being taught in such schools as Native American Youth & Family Center (NAYA) and Donald E. Long Youth Detention Center.  Direction is by Francisco Garcia, who toured with Milagro is the mid 90’s, prior to his successful venture in Los Angles as a playwright, director, and equity actor.  Returning to Portland for this production is choreographer Gabriela Portuguez, whose work at Milagro in the past included direction and choreography of the popular production, FRIDA, un retablo.  Olga Sanchez is the Artistic Director Emerita, currently working on her PhD at the University of Oregon.  The cast includes Monica Domena, hailing from Washington, Shenekah Telles from New Mexico, Giovanni Alva from California, and long-time Milagro touring artist Ajai Terrazas Tripathi from Corvallis, Oregon.

 
Since 1989, Milagro’s bilingual, arts education touring ensemble, Teatro Milagro, has provided culturally appropriate arts education & enrichment programs that build cultural appreciation and further Latino participation in the arts.  In 1995, Milagro produced En Este Valle de Lágrimas, a Spanish language AIDS education play for Washington County Health Department.  Since that time Milagro has produced over a dozen public health plays related to breast cancer, smoking and LGBTQQIA health and wellness, in partnership with various health and social service agencies.  In 2009, Teatro Milagro formed OYE, opciónes y educación, a Latino sexual health coalition with Cascade AIDS Project and Multnomah County Health Department.  Teatro Milagro teaching artists have worked collaboratively with Multnomah County Health Department since that time to receive training in popular education methodology and health promotion.
 
Amidst the backdrop of urban Latin hip hop music, rhyme, and choreography, Broken Promises reveals the shocking truth of how quickly and easily teens are ensnared in the world of sex trafficking.  Desperate for money, four teens living on the edge gamble their lives on internet porn and prostitution.  Before she knows it, Adriana is trapped in a life from which she cannot escape, or can she?  

Admission: $5-$30. Tickets available at www.milagro.org or 503-236-7253.
Discounts for students, seniors, veterans, groups 15+, and with Oregon Trail card through the Arts for All program.