Cultural Arts & Diversity Resource Center

​The Cultural Arts and Diversity Resource Center enhances the cultural climate of the University of California, Santa Cruz and surrounding communities by celebrating diversity. We foster the spirit of unity between cultures by providing outlets for the creative talents of all cultural backgrounds through student productions of professionally and student-written plays. We support these endeavors with funds from Measure 49, providing cultural awareness and diversity, collaborative partnerships, community outreach, retention and recruitment of people of color, and opportunities for leadership and educational development. ​

"If you ever want to be blessed, learn to
​uplift someone higher than yourself"
– Mr. Don Williams

Featured Events/Programs

Written and performed by award-winning actress and dancer Kerisse Hutchinson, 2 The Left is a one-woman-show described as a “music-filled, multimedia experience chronicling the life and spiritual journey of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, controversial member of the 90s pop music phenomenon, TLC.” We invite you to witness the colorful spirit of Lisa Lopes, as well as her touching story, come to life in Hutchinson’s tribute show!

Diversity • Cultural Arts • Representation

​The Cultural Arts and Diversity Resource Center hosts the only multicultural theater arts troupe in the entire UC system. Every year, Rainbow Theater casts a collective of diverse actors for a multi-faceted 3 week long production of plays dealing with issues pertaining to identity and society primarily through performing arts.  Rainbow Theater is a production by the community for the community, engaging UCSC, the larger Santa Cruz community and anybody with a mind and heart willing to listen. ​

Rainbow Theater 2021

Rainbow Theater commenced its run of the Spring 2021 productions. Rainbow Theater serves to enhance the cultural climate of the UCSC Campus and its surrounding community, encouraging the celebration of diversity. We want to thank the community for supporting our program. ​

Click here to learn more about our Latinx, Multicultural, Indigenous, and Poet's Corner plays or watch
​the  Poet's Corner production on YouTube. 

Celebrating 30 Years

Thank you for joining us in honoring the AATAT for 30 years of outstanding theater performance and public service!
Watch the recorded Gala screening here or view the digital program here, or listen to the AATAT 30 Podcast on Spotify.
“The AATAT30” highlights alumni and key players of the African American Theater Arts Troupe in order to illustrate the importance of Black theater and the creative and educational space that AATAT provides for ABC-identified UCSC students. From heartwarming stories to wisdom about cultural theater, The AATAT30 podcast will cover what AATAT is all about.

Special Thanks