Your support is not just an investment in a play; it’s an investment in the future. Together, we can break down barriers, shatter stereotypes, and create a society that nurtures the mental health of its youth.

How can you support the play?

Underwrite the play

Underwriting this play makes possible theater materials, such as costume and set design.

Sponsor the Play

Join us Friday, September 8 at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre for dinner and a play.

Make A Personal Donation

Eiusm por incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua ut enim ad.

Sponsorship Levels

Our VIP performance on Friday September 8th will feature a new cast and crew, a talkback by Gomez, and a Q&A with students to share their experience of bringing the play to life with a local writer, and expand on what makes CAST Schools unique.

This year’s performance will feature a dinner theater style atmosphere and is sure to be an event to remember.

Underwriting Opportunities

  • $2,500 – Elevate the spotlight, underwrite our talented student cast, and bring our story to life
  • $3,000 – Tech Underwriting, helps offer students a more rounded technical aspect to the show, including lights, sound, and set building supplies
  • $5,000 – Creative Underwriting, helps offer students more hands-on experience in writing, directing, and acting
  • $7,500 – Front of House Underwriting, helps offer an understanding how a theatre house runs, including ticketing and ushering
  • $10,000 – Underwrite the show as the Presenting Underwriter

A Play Written and Produced by Students

Three Years of Fear is an adaptation of Gomez’s book Tafollo Toro, chronicling his traumatic middle school years in the early 90’s during heightened community violence and gang activity in San Antonio . It features stories and letters to the author’s younger self that offer new perspectives and ideas based on the wisdom of hindsight and strategies learned through therapy. The play is meant to advance conversations among students, families, and the community about mental health issues of fear, anxiety, and violence. Following the performance, Gomez will lead a question-and-answer session to share deeper insights into his experience and perspective on addressing fear and anxiety.

The Road to Publication

With your help, we have begun our publication journey, first copywriting the play and submitting it for publication with the end goal of sharing an age-appropriate work about mental health with younger audiences. This year with the help of your generous donations and support we hope to achieve:

  1. Growing our theater and arts programs across all our schools, ensuring that we include the A in STEM to make STEAM.
  2. Spreading a message about the importance of mental health and the power of claiming your story across our approximately 500 incoming 9th graders, their families, and the broader community.
  3. Publishing the play and including it as one of the Texas UIL options.
  4.  
Charline McCombs Empire Theatre

2023 - 2024 Performances

Friday, September 8, 2023

VIP Dinner and Theater for Supporters

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Private performance for middle school students in East Central ISD

Friday, September 8, 2023

Private performance for all 9th grade students across the CAST Schools Network.

Saturday, September 9, 2 PM

Pubic showing at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre. Doors open at 1 PM.

Purchase Tickets

Thank you for your support!

© CAST Schools, 2023. All rights reserved