Our Impact
CASA 0101 was founded by Josefina Lopez, author of Real Women Have Curves, in 2000 to fulfill her vision of bringing art and live theater programs to the community she grew up in, Boyle Heights.
CASA 0101 operated for 11 years at its original location – a converted former bridal shop – and in September of 2011, moved to its new home: a fully-equipped 99-seat theater featuring an art gallery and dedicated classroom/studio. Mainstage productions and art exhibits featuring Angelino artists are presented year-round at CASA 0101 Theater.
From its humble beginnings operating out of a converted store front, CASA 0101 has established itself as a leading arts venue for Los Angeles’ East Side, presenting theatrical productions, film festivals, and other special events year round. CASA 0101 also offers year-round, free arts education classes for youth, and low-cost classes for adults.
Creating a pathway for aspiring artists. Since reopening for in-person activities in August of 2021:
528
youth participated in free classes in acting, dance and writing.
273
adults participated in low-cost acting, writing and singing classes.
281
actors, writers, directors, producers, creative designers and crew worked on a main stage production.
12,328+
audience members attended a performance at Casa 0101.
Recurring Donors are the heart of our organization, and our most direct pathway to sustainability. Please consider joining to help ensure that CASA 0101 can continue to nurture Los Angeles's future storytellers for years to come.
Real Impact in Los Angeles
Youth Students Present Their Fall Showcase
Youth Students Shine On-Stage December 6th, 2023. Casa 0101 Theater recently wrapped up its fall youth program, a nine-week program of acting and singing classes for students ages 7-18. The program, facilitated by seasoned instructors and performers Chrissi Erickson, Melodee Fernandez, Jocelyn Sanchez, and Raquel Salinas, not only provided invaluable artistic training but also championed […]
Summer Youth On-Camera Production Class Premieres “The Giant Wave”
Casa 0101’s On-Camera Production returned with The Giant Wave. Tuesday, November 25th, 2022. After a successful short film in 2021, this year’s On-Camera Production class returned with The Giant Wave. This 10-week class focused on teaching students what it takes to become a working actor in the entertainment industry, from learning how to prepare for […]
Youth Perform “Kids These Days” at Mariachi Plaza
CASA 0101’s youth shines on stage at Mariachi Plaza with original performance. On Saturday, May 7th, the Social+Community+Engagement Youth Acting Workshop culminated with a public performance at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights. The Youth Acting Workshop returned this spring to CASA 0101 theater, led by instructors Corky Dominguez and Kimiko Warner-Turner. This 12-week class of […]
Summer Youth On-Camera Production Class premieres Film at the Chinese Theater
Casa 0101’s summer youth program premiered their film, The Train, on the big screen. On Saturday November 20th, The Train, a short film developed from stories written by Casa 0101 youth in partnership with Casa 0101 volunteers and entertainment professionals, was presented at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood as part of the official selection of […]
L.A. Times – After months of COVID-closed doors, Boyle Heights’ Casa 0101 gingerly steps forward
On a recent Saturday morning in Boyle Heights, some two dozen youths line up just off the corner of St. Louis and 1st streets, outside Casa 0101, the 99-seat theater founded by “Real Women Have Curves” playwright Josefina López.
Summer Youth On-Camera Production Class Wraps Up Filming
Casa 0101’s summer youth program returned in-person with an On-Camera Production class. Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Filming has concluded for our summer Youth On-Camera Production class, which transformed Casa 0101 Theater into a futuristic film set. This ten-week class gave students, ages 7 to 18 years old, the experience of what it’s like to work […]
EMMYS – John Simmons captures the essence of the stories he tells in images
John Simmons, ASC, began his professional career as a cinematographer in the early 1980s — a time that was especially difficult for people of color to make their way in show business.
Uncovering The Hidden History of Mexican and Black Solidarity
Casa 0101 welcomed Prof. Ron Wilkins for his talk and presentation “Uncovering the Hidden History of Mexican and Black Solidarity.” Saturday, February 8, 2020. Organized by gallery Curator, Jimmy Centeno, this talk was a free event chronicling the often overlooked, and sometimes hidden, history of solidarity between the Mexican and Black community. From a historical lens, […]
Always Running presented at Pasadena City College
Casa 0101 brought Always Running to the 2000-seat Sexson Auditorium at Pasadena City College. Tuesday, December 3, 2019. It was the final performance in what turned out to be a nearly 3-month sold-out run that had just concluded at Casa 0101 on November 24, 2019. The show was presented in partnership with the Pathways Program at […]
L.A. Times – A splendid ‘Beauty and the Beast’ proves why Casa 0101 deserves a fairy-tale ending
Casa 0101 in Boyle Heights is waging a fundraising battle to keep its doors open. Judging by its splendid “Beauty and the Beast” running through June, it would be a tragedy for the neighborhood — and for the larger theater community — if this valiant institution were to be shuttered.
NBC News – In Her L.A. Neighborhood, Playwright Josefina Lopez Creates a ‘Casa’ for the Performing Arts
Josefina Lopez has an amazing story: she grew up in a modest neighborhood in the heart of the city’s east side and went on to co-write a hit movie that made America Ferrera a star. Since then, she has harnessed her success to give Latino youth a space to explore – and succeed…
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Donors like you are vital to what we can accomplish...
"At Casa 0101, we create belonging...
we create community. "
we create community. "
Josefina López
Founder & Artistic Director
