From February 14-27, 2005 Jose Torres Tama was the artist-in-residence at Duke University to develop a “Youth Performance Project” with local teens. In partnership with the Lakewood YMCA in Durham, this after-school program culminated in a performance of the teens’ original ensemble piece called “Searching for the American Dream/Buscando el Sueño Norte Americano” at the Lyon Park Community Life Center.

The dozen “at risk” teens from ages 11-16 embraced the challenging nature of this project and demonstrated tremendous talents in creating an original ensemble performance art piece that spoke of their personal search for the American Dream. They created a moving bilingual piece that inventively combined gospel songs, movement, and personal stories to explore the secret places of their lives.

Some of the Latino boys in the class spoke to concerning the growing Mexican immigrant community and the risks many take to cross a dangerous border for a better future “aqui en el otro lado/here on the other side”--where their dream often becomes a nightmare. The African American teen girls commented on the images of young black women in rap videos that often depict them as easy girls for the taking. In response, they proclaimed their power as young goddesses who deserve respect as they forge their female identities.

This residency was sponsored by Duke Performances and Duke’s Office of Community Affairs in partnership with the Lakewood YMCA, Lyon Park Community Life Center, Hayti Heritage Center, Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, the Center for Race Relations, Duke Center for Multi-cultural Affairs and Duke’s Latino Studies Program.