WHO IS BOCÓN ARTS?
​MISSION AND VALUES
Bocón is dedicated to empowering artists of all ages to create collaborative works of art that voice social perspectives on community stages.
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We value the voice of our community. We value the diverse heritages we come from as assets that create a richer life experience, and the voices and stories that stem from that. We believe that our audiences deserve professional artists that reflect our community’s cultural backgrounds. We believe that everyone deserves an arts education.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
A message from our Artistic Director:
Bocón was founded on the idea that marginalized voices deserve a platform to be elevated and heard.
I want to recognize the systemic oppression of Black people is not new to our country. I want to acknowledge the pain and trauma that we are experiencing as a country. I want to declare Black Lives Matter.
Bocón and every person who is a part of this organization stands with our Black students, artists, board, and community members to dismantle white supremacy.
It is not enough to just make a statement and move on with business as usual. We need to constantly ask ourselves: whose voice is represented on our stage, in our classrooms, in our leadership and are we listening to those voices that are often ignored?
We are committed to producing work that reflects disenfranchised voices.
We are committed to supporting and hiring BIPOC artists.
We are committed to having a leadership team that reflects our pluralistic community.
And we are committed to continuing to ask ourselves the difficult questions, so that we may constantly be working to dismantle white supremacy and the oppression of all Black people.
“I don’t know what it’s going to take to make the world right. I do know that you should not be sitting waiting for it to happen.” JoAnne Bland was 11 years old when she marched in Selma, Alabama on Bloody Sunday, and she’s still fighting to end systemic racism to this day. Let us follow her example.
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OUR BOARD
CRYSTAL MERCADO
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
I believe every child should have access to creative self expression in their community and education. I want to do my part to bring stories to young people that reflect who they are and the real struggles and joys of young people in our community of south San Diego.
CARLENNE LACOSTA
SECRETARY
I am passionate about giving voice to underrepresented communities and deeply value diversity, equality, and social justice. I grew up in the Southbay and constantly seek ways to give back to this community that raised me.
LUCY ORTIZ
TREASURER
I am a 2nd grade teacher at Palmer Way Elementary. I’ve been teaching for over 10 years and throughout that time, I realized how valuable the arts are for my students to develop a sense of self and build communication skills. Bocón’s productions and programs speak to the community I serve and I want to see this organization grow.
MARISOL BEST
Left to Right: Carlenne Lacosta, Crystal Mercado, Dawn Redo, Tony Uribe & Lucy Ortiz
I consider myself an educator, theatre lover, and passionate mother. As a true theatre lover and ex-performer, I consider myself a storyteller. I'm driven by the want and desire to make a change in people's lives and truly believe the arts are a conduit for that. I am a loud mouth, Latinx Bocona.
DAWN REDO
It was my position as Development Director for Young Audiences combined with my children's arts experiences that ignited a love for arts education and admiration of teaching artists. I have chosen to be part of Bocón because I believe the arts are not only "literacy for the heart" but also teach children that problems have more than one solution and questions can have many answers.
Monica Ahumada
Pamela Sevilla
Rich Soublet
Alejandra Enciso Dardashti
Advisory Board
Artistic Apprentices
Left to Right: Nadia Mehretab, Reanne Lacosta, Alejandra Villanueva
Hector Bravo
Ben Cassel
Karen Ann Daniels
Wendy Maples
Tony Uribe
Reanne Lacosta
Alejandra Villanueva