Picture this: 7AM in Chavez Ravine. Green rolling hills, palm trees dotting the horizon, and the sun just starting to brighten LA's sky above Dodger Stadium. 

Now, what if you couldn't see this because you were blind? 

For the 5th year in a row, CRE Outreach is a charity partner of the LA Marathon to raise funds for their signature program, "Theatre by the Blind."  Our program helps visually impaired youth, teen, and adult participants become empowered actors that push the limits of their disability through the dynamic medium of theatre. Our adult performing group is the only entirely blind adult theatre troupe in the country that creates and performs original theatrical works. Theatre by the Blind provides participants with a constructive and creative forum to confront their challenges while informing the public, raising awareness, and challenging popular misconceptions about the capabilities of the blind. 

We provide opportunities for participants to use creative expression to re-imagine the narratives of their own lives, while using performance techniques to promote social skills, independence, mobility, and confidence--skills that can help them put on a public performance or run a marathon!  

Last year, thanks to generous support raised during the LA Marathon, we were able to pilot a spinoff program: Film by the Blind. The program brings in film professionals from around Los Angeles to work with our actors on all aspects of film production, while also producing a documentary about our work with blind actors. 

We hope that we will be able to continue to grow and refine the program this year with another round of funding through this exciting, team-building event!