Superbloom: Community Bonds Flourish with Local Theatre Project

As part of its efforts to support rural communities in the Cuyama Valley of California, Blue Sky Sustainable Living Center launched “Superbloom,” a community theatre production about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the importance of neighborly connections in divisive times. Starting in January 2022, 35 Cuyama residents of all ages participated in the project as paid co-creators through workshops in script writing, set building and general story-telling. The months-long project culminated with live performances of the play in May 2022. Because of the play’s theme around COVID-19, project activities often sparked healthy discussion among the co-creators about vaccine hesitancy, grieving, and disagreements within families. “These interactions never resulted in any loud arguments despite differing views,” said Superbloom co-director Alex Barreto. “Rather, people listened, shared their own experiences and leaned in when they heard something new. I saw people open up and reach out to one another.”

Funding for this effort is made possible through a subaward from the CDC Foundation and is part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) financial assistance award totaling $2,500,000.00 with 100 percent funding from CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government.