The Young Shakespeareans (TYS)

San Fernando Valley

South LA

Partner Schools:

Nevin Avenue Elementary School, 1569 E. 32nd St, Los Angeles CA 90011

https://nevines-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/

West Vernon Avenue Elementary School, 4312 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles CA 90037

http://westvernon-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/

John Adams Middle School, 151 W. 30th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007

https://adamsms-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/

We work closely with our schools, which begin with each school’s Principal, who dedicates the necessary funds and workspace(s), selects a Liaison Teacher, Classroom Teacher, and Support Staff to work in concert with TYS.

(P=Principal, C=Classroom Teacher, L=Liaison Teacher, S=Staff, F=Family)

OCT-MAY

* Select Participating Students (P,C,L)

* Order “No Fear Shakespeare” books (L)

* Use TYS Guide to teach basic Play elements (Plot, Characters, Themes) (C)

* Impart Rules of Commitment (C&L)

* Obtain Parental Consents (L)

* Support “No Fear Shakespeare” reading (C,L,F)

JAN-MAY

* Encourage Program Attendance/Participation (C,L,F)

* Coordinate/Attend all Workshops (L)

* Distribute program materials (L)

* Prep Workshop Spaces (S)

* Volunteer where Needed (eg. Hair/Makeup) (S,F)

“The streets are waiting for our kids.”

We hear this way too often from too many parents in our service community. We select schools in Los Angeles neighborhoods that are disproportionately impacted by poverty, homelessness, and gang violence.

TYS begins in 4th grade providing early and formative intervention; we seize the opportunity to raise our students’ awareness of their innate talents, challenge their academic and social skills, and provide a positive peer community. They discover innumerable ways to apply their skills and energy and expand their self-expectation and sense of possibility.

TYS successfully instills critical life skills – resiliency, discipline, teamwork, respect for self, and others. Our partner school communities repeatedly confirm that TYS makes a vast difference by teaching our students about themselves and the world around them, and how to navigate their way within it powerfully.

We achieve our goals. We built a curriculum that really works; builds strong, trusted partnerships with our schools; has trained passionate teaching artists; and continually expands our reach and program offerings.

We empower our students. At the request of “alumni” from different schools, we supported their approach to their school principal, enlisted the help of their magnet coordinator, and added John Adams Middle School downtown to our roster. We are creating paths to grow with our students through high school and beyond.

We pursue support. We enjoy funding by committed donors, foundations and public agencies (including California Community Foundation, California Arts Council, Neighborhood Councils). We have pro-bono relationships with critical vendors. We are creating strategic relationships with LA’s leading arts organizations, pursue the support of local politicians, and continue to develop dedicated volunteers. We honor our donors and make every dollar count.

Direct Impact: 344

Indirect Impact: 6,273

TYS demands a commitment to step way beyond one’s comfort zone, thus cultivating a sense of empowerment and agency rarely delivered by after-school arts programs.

“School” becomes a vibrant center for its students, parents, and surrounding residents; in fact, TYS is cited as a factor in improved attendance, and designations of California “Blue Ribbon School” Awards.

To continue engagement upon LAUSD’s COVID-19 closure, we rapidly launched a Virtual Program which is enjoying 99% attendance. We’ll record/edit all final performances, turning difficult circumstances into a wonderful opportunity where, together with our students, we can rightfully proclaim “IF I CAN DO SHAKESPEARE, I CAN DO ANYTHING!!!”

TYS is a proven success in using the broad platform of the theatrical arts to attract and hold attention, develop and utilize academic and life skills, cultivate and apply critical thinking independently and collaboratively, and provide a truly transformative experience for all involved. Our goal is to expand our reach – more schools, more students, more programming.

We measure our success via both anecdotal and data-driven methods. We track and enjoy high attendance, re-enrollment from year to year, and subsequent enrollment of siblings, cousins, and friends. We conduct written surveys (Student self-assessment; Classroom/Liaison Teacher assessment of each student) at the beginning and end of each program, as well as our Principals’ assessments of overall school impact and written surveys of our Teaching Artists at the end of each program. Our executive team reviews all information to remain current regarding the effectiveness of our curriculum and delivery, and we implement adjustments if/as needed.

The comments we regularly hear are equally important indicators of our success:

* 2nd and 3rd graders press to know when they can become Young Shakespeareans;

* Our Alumni regularly return to share their latest achievements;

* Teachers report that their TYS students’ classroom participation and confidence notably increase;

* Principals report that parents push for months for the program to begin;

* Parents report that their previously shy children become more outgoing and willing to try new things;

* Local residents tearfully thank us for bringing pride to their neighborhood;

* Affluent audience members are surprised, impressed, and inspired by our students’ poise, and reconsider the possibilities that exist in the neighborhoods we serve.

Arts education

Enrollment in afterschool programs

Student proficiency in English & Language Arts

Access to the LA2050 community

Communications support

Office space for meetings, events, or for staff

Capacity, including staff

Strategy assistance and implementation