Monday, March 25th was a unique moment for Lao American art in San Diego. Ten mostly-Lao American participants in The Old  Globe Community Voices project debuted ten memorable ten-minute plays that were the result of an 8-week class with experienced theater artists. Made possible in part this year with support from the Lao American Coalition of San Diego and a grant from the James Irvine Foundation, The Old Globe Community Voices is a new initiative that offers free workshops dedicated to the creation and presentation of short plays by adult residents of San Diego County. This time around, participants took part in playwriting classes taught by community teaching artist Katherine Harroff and attend shows at The Old Globe and interact with the staff members. It was a packed room as professional San Diego actors presented the emerging playwrights’ work. The themes ranged from comedic skits to scenes of family life in Lao American households and memories of the old country. Some of the plays challenged Lao American ideals of beauty, others took note of health care issues …