Consider an original AIDS educational theatre piece that ART presented to Los Angeles high school students. The 40-minute “musical-ette” combined theatre, hip-hop music, bilingual spoken word, multi-media, and slides. ART was also funded by the United Way to go out to the community and perform interactive “agitprop” theatre in gay bars that educated patrons about safe sex.

“An artist doesn’t complete his art without including a service aspect,” Lucas said. “A lot of people in this business think about the paycheck, the applause, and the adulation. All of that is great. But unless service to the community is provided somewhere in that circle, the process hasn’t been completed.”

Following the Los Angeles riots, ART put together a weekend arts festival in Highland Park called “Re-wing the City of Angels.” The successful event allowed local children to perform their own specific type of art, including theatre, music, and indigenous dance. “It is important that people take pride in their culture and neighborhood,” Lucas said.

ART continued to serve the community from their previous location at the St. James United Methodist Church, thanks to Anita Valles who saw the value in promoting a theatre company dedicated to community service.

"Now operating from the campus of La Salle High School, we hope to continue to serve this community."