Opening Act
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Mission Statement
Opening Act's theater programs provide students attending New York City's most under-served schools the opportunity to gain confidence, pride, and the knowledge that they can succeed at anything in life. Currently serving 55 New York City high schools, our vision is to be able to offer a high quality theater program to any New York City school that needs one. Although our medium is the theater, our results go well beyond the stage. Opening Act students emerge as energized leaders within their schools. They value community and commitment and display confidence in themselves and their ability to accomplish anything they set out to achieve.
About This Cause
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS Opening Act’s free, year-long, After School Theater Program is based on a highly-structured, goal-oriented curriculum that teaches improvisation, acting technique, and writing exercises to help students unleash their creativity, foster collaboration, and develop leadership and problem-solving skills. We engage our students in complicated discussions using theater and writing exercises specifically designed to help them amplify their voices so they can express their perspectives and create original theater pieces that directly address the contemporary social issues they face on a daily basis. The program culminates in an original production created, written, and performed by the students in a professional theater. Currently offered at 55 schools in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx, our After School Program provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment so that our students feel empowered to share their stories. DISTRICT 79 As part of Opening Act’s renewed commitment to serving the most vulnerable populations of students, we are further developing our partnership with District 79, New York City’s Alternative High School program. District 79 sites engage the City’s most disconnected youth, many of whom have been out of traditional high school settings due to court involvement and/or incarceration. Students attending District 79 sites are almost exclusively preparing for their High School Equivalency Exam and have no access to arts education. Opening Act programming is even more critical for these students. EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS Broadway / Off-Broadway Show Each year we provide students who would otherwise likely not have the means or opportunity to attend a live performance with the chance to see a play. Connecting participants with the excitement of seeing some of the best professional theatrical performances is a critical tool in Opening Act’s mission. Workshops with Professional Artists Throughout the year, creative professionals – including cast members from Broadway shows, playwrights, hip-hop and spoken word artists, and designers – teach a workshop or talk with our students about their personal journeys. ACT 2 Act 2: Opening Act’s College and Career Readiness Program As a result of our recent strategic planning process, Opening Act is developing an innovative College and Career Readiness Program, leveraging our young actors’ onstage success to help them navigate what lies beyond high school graduation. The program invites students to ideate the kind of future they’ve envisioned for themselves and helps them develop the tools, relationships, and connections they’ll need to make it a reality. Act 2 communicates clearly to our young actors that they can and will achieve their postsecondary dreams, utilizing weekly cohort meetings, a digital peer-mentoring model, monthly networking events, and robust alumni programming to support their journey to success. Alumni Network Opening Act hosts a robust Alumni Engagement Program, designed to provide support, services, and community for our Opening Act students who have graduated from the program. SUPPORT PROGRAMMING Student Leadership Company Opening Act’s Student Leadership Company is comprised of students from each of our program sites who have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to Opening Act. Students meet monthly throughout the year to deepen their leadership training and to devise original theatrical pieces they perform in the community. This year, SLC students had the opportunity to perform in front of more than 500 guests at our 11th Annual Benefit Play Reading at New World Stages. The SLC also performed at the executive headquarters of HBO. As part of our new corporate partnership engagement strategy, SLC students participated in mentoring and career skills development workshops with IHS Markit Financial Services and Goldman Sachs. Summer Arts and Leadership Conservatory This two-week intensive program allows students to take their leadership and artistic skills to the next level through immersion in a wide-ranging curriculum that includes courses in Shakespeare, Voice, Scene Study, Musical Theater, and Leadership. The Conservatory culminates with a performance showcasing students’ artistic and leadership skills. Opening Act Scholarship Program The Opening Act Scholarship Program provides financial support for students to use for college tuition or for professional artistic classes.