Her name was Luna. She was a snail girl. A glittery silver trail shined behind her. Teachers gasped.“A…snail?”“Here?”“But how?” Students whispered.“Interesting.”“Cool.”“Unique!” The garden had never had a snail before. But once it did, it SHINED! The Silver Trail is a story about belonging, inclusion and the quiet but powerful mark we leave on the people around us. Join acclaimed children's TV writer, performer and special needs mom, Venessa M. Diaz in this charming, funny and interactive reading of her debut book, The Silver Trail.
Venessa M. Diaz is a Puerto Rican writer, performer, and winner of the coveted, “Excellence in Storytelling” award, beating out all the other snot-nosed kids in her kindergarten class. A latch-key kid with a vast imagination, Venessa discovered the performing arts and before long, she was writing and performing original plays and musicals alongside some of Broadway’s best. She is a founding member of accomplished youth theater companies and has taught Poetry Slam, Playwriting, Theatre, and Musical Theatre in New York City public schools, community centers, and detention centers. For over a decade, Venessa was able to share the power of the written word with other inner-city students, inspiring them to pursue their goals, despite their circumstances.
Primarily, Ms. Diaz’s work is socially conscious. Her solo show, Organic Sofrito or Other Recipes for Disaster, is a dark comedy that addresses cultural norms and the elusive beauty of dysfunction. Named a bestseller at the renowned United Solo Theatre Festival, it has healed audiences throughout NYC and Chicago.
As a mother of three, including her twins with Down syndrome, she is most proud of her advocacy work for the acceptance and inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities. Her short films, The Road to Lilith and Worry Dolls feature individuals with disabilities in front and behind the camera. Ms. Diaz is also the conceiver and producer of the Broadway Cabaret for World Down Syndrome Day starring Hamilton’s Christopher Jackson and other Broadway stars.
Ms. Diaz is the proud founder of the 52nd GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center location in Long Island, NY and currently sits on the board of directors for GiGi’s Playhouse NYC. Venessa is an alumnus of the NHMC TV Writers Program, Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room, and finalist for the National Parks Arts Foundation and The Public Theater EWG fellowship. She has developed and written shows for Netflix, Disney Jr, and PBS.
