Opening Act
Comeback Kids Take on Life-Changing Roles
Students who attend high quality after-school programs fare markedly better in school and have far lower incidences of drug use, violence and pregnancy. Nowhere is quality after-school programming needed more than in New York City, where only half of high school students graduate in four years and nearly a third drop out altogether. Of course, the city's worst performing schools also have the greatest programming shortages, most acutely, programs that teach the arts.
Founded by actors and educators, Opening Act is a unique theater program that helps inner-city kids build self-esteem and develop leadership skills. It uses a curriculum that incorporates improvisation, acting games and exercises to unleash students' creativity, foster collaboration and develop professional acting technique. All productions are entirely created, written and performed by the students, who through artistic achievement develop leadership and problem-solving skills and strengthen their abilities in self-expression. In 2010, 92% of students reported that their participation in Opening Act increased their overall self-confidence and 98% said Opening Act improved their ability to work as a team.
Bringing Arts Education to Schools Where the Need is Greatest
Opening Act specifically targets the city's highest need schools—those with substandard reading scores, low graduation rates and a lack of arts programming. The success of Opening Act’s programs also has an impact on students’ success in school which means improvements for Opening Act’s partner schools: 76% of students reported they felt more confident in their school classes as a result of their work with Opening Act, 91% said they wanted to go to school more because of Opening Act, and 85% said Opening Act increased their pride in their school.
Opening Act currently provides year-long theater programs to nine New York City public high schools, serving 250 children annually. All of its programs are offered at no cost to schools. These programs include weekly voluntary after school programs and out of class programs that include trips to theater productions and opportunities to showcase their own improvisations skills, share their experiences and feel part of a larger acting community. Past productions have included theme-based ensembles, series of one-acts, full length plays created through group improvisation and a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello. The plays have been performed at The Public Theater, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the Gene Frankel Theater, among others. Opening Act also provides Scholarship and adopt-a -school programs, as well as a newly piloted Saturday masters program which will give students the opportunity to explore career opportunities in the arts in greater depth. With these expansive array of options, students of Opening Act become part of a diverse community of students, teachers, and actors that provide support and inspiration. In fact, 98% of students said they felt part of a supportive community in Opening Act, 100% felt free to show their individuality, and 100% felt their teaching artists set high expectations. In addition, 100% of students said their teaching artists inspired them to work hard and grow as an actor and as a person.
The Catalog is delighted to help Opening Act grow and prosper, so that more kids can take on the roles of their lives.
"Opening Act has changed my life - I know I will always make it in whatever I want to be, no matter what."
- DARREN, 16
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Recent Press:
Opening Act’s Saturday Master Class Series A Success
New Opening Act workshop focuses on advanced improvisation
