10 Minute Youth Theater Festival

Youth economic advancement

Central LA County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

There’s a need for youth arts programming in the Latinx community. There’s hardly any arts education in public schools. Mainstream arts programming such as theater is unaffordable to these working class families. Also, literacy rates for Latinx youth are significantly lower than those in more affluent neighborhoods. Through this program, we’ll give students a chance to explore the power of the written and spoken word. Under the mentorship of theater professionals, they’ll learn how to express themselves, address issues relevant to their age and cultural group, and create characters. We believe that the opportunity to tell their own stories will inspire them to read the words of others, and in turn begin the adventure of writing. Arts education has been known to improve students’ learning scores, literacy, and life skills such as communication, responsibility, time management, teamwork, and accomplishment.

We're seeking partial funding to cover student honorariums and administrative costs. Other funds, for mentors and production expenses are pending.
Our program will take place across 7 weekends. Three coaches will mentor 30 teenagers (15 to 18) in 10 three-hour long workshops in directing, acting, and writing. The youth will learn to create and perform 10 original 10-minute plays. Youth will consist of 10 directors,10 writers, and 10 actors who’ll perform in 2 plays each. SINERGIA will host 8 performances, giving 800 people a chance to see the plays for free.
Youth will be admitted based on commitment. They’ll be given an honorarium of $300, and a copy of the filmed performance. Our project will give youth summer employment, more critical now since the closure of the Job Corps program.
There are few arts programs in public schools. Literacy and writing skills are low for this population. Latinx youth are not encouraged to pursue opportunities like this one. Our program is a positive outlet for creativity, and youth will be allowed a voice to express themselves.
Our program will address these issues by providing a workshop that'll inspire an interest in the written word and better communication skills. They’ll also learn life skills such as time management, and make new friends along the way. Youth will have the experience of completing a challenge, which they will carry back into their schools. Hopefully, some of these young people will become artists and future patrons.

If our program succeeds, we’ll incorporate the 10 Minute Youth Festival as a permanent part of our season, giving many more students a chance to participate.
The city will benefit by the ripple effect this program will have on schools and communities. Hopefully, these students will be inspired to conduct similar programs at their schools, libraries, neighborhood parks, and summer programs.

Those who complete our program will leave with a sense of confidence and pride in their accomplishments. This will carry over into the school year, and hopefully spur them onto more engagement in the classroom. Students will also expand their social horizons through friendships they make while working on a shared goal.

Learning and achieving in a group setting is a positive alternative to the apathy and isolation experienced by so many young people in these difficult times. Motivating even a small number of students will result in positive repercussions among their peers, families, and communities.