The play, "The Guest," was an Iranian folk tale about a woman who falls in love with a man who leaves her. She's befriended by animals who visit her.

Wood -- always mining talent -- was moved by the student: "I told him he was articulate. I wanted him in my poetry class." Opera Piccola is on a mission to increase access to the arts. Performers of all ages trek to malls, schools, libraries, parks, churches and homes.

At 2 p.m. today at First Congregational Church, 27th and Harrison streets, and at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Dimond Recreation Center, 3860 Hanly Road, performers will present "Ghost In the Basement" and "Was It A Joke?" -- plays written by Oakland students between 12 and 19 years old.

Middle school and high school students who have been truants or disinterested in class have embraced Woods' acting workshops.

When a student wouldn't stop her tantrum, Woods crafted an impromptu play about a baby who wouldn't stop crying, and students quickly assumed roles.

Founded in 1989, a year after Wood staged a successful play at the Calvin Simmons Theatre, the nonprofit group has been invited to schools where the arts have been overlooked.

This month, the nearly bankrupt California Arts Council managed to scrape up funds for only a few groups statewide. Opera Piccola made the list. The grant was for only $3,500, but that's a windfall for Wood.

Her participants are engaged in performing or visual arts, including folk tales. Under ArtGate, young people develop skills in visual arts, poetry, African dance, theater and script-writing related to their experiences.

"Kids gain confidence, a voice, and their expressions are seen and valued," Wood said. "We are well-received by audiences that normally don't see plays or have access to the arts, so they look at it with fresh eyes. (Americans) are hooked on entertainment. But the arts aren't appreciated in the United States like in other countries."

Despite it's appeal, Opera Piccola is struggling. It needs board members, volunteers, more venues and larger office space.

Wood conducts rehearsals in a church basement when a library across the street isn't available. She even has used her home for rehearsals.

She hauls lighting equipment and props in a van to create the sets for plays. Unable to find adequate office space, the nonprofit works from a tiny second-floor office at Rockridge Methodist Church, 303 Hudson St.

"We're nomadic," said Wood, a native of New York who holds a Greek and Latin classics degree from Harvard.