Fresh Ink. Fresh Minds!
Congratulations to Doug Paniagua & Austin Le for having their stories transformed into short plays at Lodi’s 2nd Annual Fresh Ink Fest. This event, a collaborative effort between Changing Faces Theater Company & FUSE Theatre, brings together creative talent each March, as their team performs 10-minute plays written by young playwrights. Among this year’s selections, two come from participants of Futures Explored Film & Media Studios in Stockton, CA. Reflecting on his achievement, Doug shared, “I feel honored that they would choose my plays for their events. Even though I never had experience with theatrical plays.” Austin was also excited to be selected, stating, “It’s pretty interesting. I never thought I would get accepted into something like (Fresh Ink Fest). It’s showing that my work as a writer is paying off.”
Building on this collaboration, Futures Explored Film & Media Studios participant Blake Goias is acting in the fest. His ultimate goal is to work as a professional actor in Hollywood, and he has an ongoing relationship with Fresh Ink, having performed at the first Fresh Ink Fest in 2025. He shares, “I love being part of it! I get a chance to meet new people and act with them. The people this year are really nice. It’s also helping me practice when I get into film projects because that’s the same nature.”
Stacey Ardelean, owner of FUSE Theatre, has been an outstanding advocate in bringing in all sorts of young talent into the theater world, especially those in our disability community, whose creativity and voice are just as important. Stacey began teaching with Futures Explored a few years ago and has brought students along for many FUSE projects as actors and paid interns.
Futures Explored Film & Media Studios in Stockton provides daily instruction to over 25 students in a variety of media and arts areas. The studio is filled with creativity, socialization, and acts as an expressive outlet for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The instructors, composed of professional filmmakers and artists, guide their students through writing, acting, claymation, and many other film and media-related endeavors.
Beyond Arts & Media, Futures Explored serves over 500 individuals across Northern California each year, through programs in Personal Wellness, Community Connections, and Employment & Education. Whether it’s a sensory room for someone with high physical needs, a volunteer shift at a food bank, or support towards a college degree, each service is rooted in the same ethos: supporting independence, inclusion, and personal growth.
Futures Explored
Donate now!www.futures-explored.org
(925) 332-7183
Executive Director: Erica Horn
Mission
Led by the choices of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Futures Explored creates equitable access to relevant programs, supports, and advocacy.
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We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s Director of Development and/or Executive Director.
We’re so excited to be partnering with Futures Explored, Inc and their incredible Film + Media Studios, a vocational program empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through real-world experience in film production and so much more! Their mission: Creating Inclusive Futures for All, where individuals are included, empowered, and given equal opportunity to thrive. We’re honored to support that vision by hiring talented individuals with disabilities to help bring our latest project to life.
Creativity Knows No Limits
Futures Explored has built more than a studio – it has built a stage for possibility. Your support ensures that creativity remains within reach for artists with disabilities. A gift today helps finish the Concord hub with real walls and soundproofing, puts professional-grade cameras and software in students’ hands, and funds new classes in digital art, animation, and beyond.
Most importantly, your donation reduces waitlists and keeps programs free, welcoming more aspiring filmmakers, writers, and artists into the fold. Join us in saying “Action!” on the next story – because with your help, every voice can take its place in the spotlight.