Closing Out 2025 Strong — and Looking Ahead to 2026
- Bocón Blog Team
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
As we step into a new year, we’re taking a moment to reflect with gratitude, pride, and optimism. In 2025, Bocón continued doing what we believe in most: bringing culturally rooted, youth-centered theatre and arts education directly to young people—right where they learn, grow, and imagine their futures.
One of the most meaningful ways we closed out the year was through our partnership with Balboa Elementary School, made possible by the generous support of the California Arts Council’s Arts Exposure grant. Together, we created a multi-disciplinary arts experience that centered storytelling, cultural pride, and creative expression for students.
Theatre That Meets Students Where They Are
This fall, Balboa students experienced ¡Sà Se Puede!, a new theatrical work by Kayla Adorno, produced by Tara Ricasa. The play follows a young girl navigating self-doubt as she grows as an artist within her multigenerational Latina family. At the moment she feels like giving up, her loved ones step in—reminding her that she comes from a long line of mujeres poderosas who dreamed boldly before her.
Fotos by Kirsten Faucher Photography
Through the story, students are introduced to real-life icons like Dr. Ellen Ochoa and Dolores Huerta, learning that creativity, leadership, and courage have always been part of our collective history. Most importantly, the play shows students that they, too, can dream boldly, trust their voices, and shape their futures.
Beyond the Stage: Learning, Identity, and Community
At Bocón, we believe theatre is a starting point—not the finish line. Alongside the performance, each classroom participated in pre- and post-show workshops designed to deepen understanding, support social-emotional learning, and explore identity, culture, and community through creative practice.
These workshops invited students to reflect, imagine, and design symbols that represent who they are and what matters to them. Those ideas will live on through a student-driven, permanent mural on Balboa’s campus, created in collaboration with XoQUE: Art in Motion, a Chicano and Indigenous-rooted collective led by Berenice Badillo.
Berenice is not only a celebrated muralist connected to Chicano Park, but also the inspiration for one of the characters in ¡Sà Se Puede!, making this collaboration a powerful full-circle moment—where story, visual art, and lived experience meet.
A Full Year of Arts & Culture at Balboa
¡Sà Se Puede! marked the final chapter of a larger, year-long arts partnership with Balboa Elementary. Earlier in the year, students experienced a full-school performance by DanzArts, celebrating Chicano roots through Ballet Folklórico, Spanish dance traditions, and Indigenous dances that reflect the blending and evolution of Mexican culture.
By the end of 2025, Balboa students will have experienced:
3 dynamic dance performances
2 theatre performances
1 permanent, student-driven mural
Together, these experiences nurtured cultural pride, creativity, and confidence—key ingredients for young people discovering their voices.
With Gratitude, and Looking Ahead
We’re deeply grateful to the California Arts Council, our partners at Balboa Elementary, Tara Ricasa, Kayla Adorno, XoQUE, and—most of all—the young artists who continue to remind us why this work matters.
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to keep showing up for youth with stories that reflect them, challenge them, and celebrate who they are becoming. Stay tuned, come see a show, and follow along as we continue building spaces where young voices are seen, heard, and valued.
Because then, now, and always—¡Sà se puede!