A year ago today, we were in Guatemala documenting the implosion of Becoming Fools.
We were three days away from a big theatrical event called “Voz de las Calles”, which was the culmination of five months of rehearsals with street youth and professional entertainers. The road had not been entirely smooth. In fact, there were some major hurdles along the way. But, with the help of gracious volunteers, it looked like they were going to pull it off.
And then … three days before the show, the bottom dropped out …
One of the street youth with a leading role in the play had been in drug rehabilitation for a year. Three days before the show, he left his rehab and went back to the streets to consume drugs. My heart was broken. This guy wasn’t a “street youth” to me – he was a friend. I was rooting for him and his peers as they wrestled towards their goal of performing on a Guatemalan Broadway Stage.
A year ago today, we didn’t know if they would be able to pull it off. It seemed impossible:
- Most of the cast were youth who still lived in the streets
- The original director wrecked his motorcycle and couldn’t continue with the project
- Funds had not been raised to pay for the theater rental
- The cast had never finished the entire play in rehearsal
- One of the lead characters left the show 3 days before the event
The cast rehearses a symbolic scene where the hero is attacked by shadows.
This is probably how Roberto, the theatrical director felt, as he tried to pull the show together in three days.
Scott Moore documents the implosion of Becoming Fools, on his knees.
A tired cast receives notes after rehearsal.
The night ended with conflict as one of the cast members quit the show.
We didn’t know what would happen a year ago, but we all walked forward in faith .. Becoming Fools.
We captured a beautiful story that walks a tightrope between tragedy and comedy.
Fast forward to today …
We feel much like we did a year ago. It seems impossible.
We never raised the money needed to finish the film. But we believed in the project, so we subsidized it with our blood, sweat, tears, and personal savings.
The good news is that the film is finished.
The bad news is that so is our funding.
We need your help to share the story.
Will you join us in Becoming Fools and give a tax-deductible donation to help us release the film?
