All the world’s a stage for a...

All the world’s a stage for a Latino theatrical group that aims to spread the word about AIDS and how to prevent it.

On Wednesday, Teatro VIVA! brings its educational message to the South Bay in a performance combining medical facts, cultural sensitivity and humor.

Teatro VIVA! is an AIDS outreach project of VIVA!, the first organization formed to discover and promote gay and lesbian Latino art and artists, said Guillermo Hernandez, a project assistant.

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the project features a series of theatrical vignettes that address the concerns of gay and bisexual Latinos.

“The media has presented AIDS as a mainly gay white man’s disease,” Hernandez said. “The information presented by Teatro VIVA! is about Latinos and their issues and concerns. It fills in a gap that has existed.”

The program begins with a performance of Mexican-style song and dance followed by two vignettes, “Collage” and “Beaver.” The first is about the dynamics and procedures of getting tested for the virus that causes AIDS. In the second, a takeoff on the old TV show “Leave It to Beaver,” the audience is invited to participate in discussions about safe sex.

The vignettes, performed by actors Frank Ceastrorena and Refugio Guevara and written by Albert Araiza, have been performed in bars, schools, clubs and universities, Hernandez said.

Wednesday’s performance by Teatro VIVA! will take place at the South Bay Lesbian/Gay Community Organization’s South Bay Center in Redondo Beach.

The organization, formed in 1989, hosts a number of events at its center.

“Our community is diverse and we’re in the process of gaining self-esteem and being comfortable with ourselves,” said Dottie Wine, president of the organization.

Wednesday’s show begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a question and answer session about AIDS prevention and education.

The South Bay Center is at 2009-A Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach and is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For information about the center and the South Bay Lesbian/Gay Community Organization, call (310) 379-2850. For information about Teatro VIVA!, call (213) 953-1970.