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OUR IMPACT

South Los Angeles' high School graduation rate is 30% lower and the total crime rate is 73% higher than the U.S. average.

The Young Shakespeareans:

  • Range from 9 to 22 years of age;

  • Are 97% Latinx, or Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color (BIPOC);

  • Predominantly speak English as a second language with only Spanish spoken at home.

Our Partner Schools report increased student attendance, improved classroom participation and behavior, and elevated test scores. And since our schools select which students are invited to join our Programs, other students strive to be chosen.

Many Young Shakespeareans participate year after year. Once in High School, they enjoy opportunities for early employment, networking, and exposure to workplace demands. In  our Career Pathways Program, they exercise their creativity and leadership skills as they mentor and model exciting paths for our younger students.

  2016 to Date (including during COVID 2020-2022 School Closures)

  • Workshops = 359

  • Performances = 30

  • Performing Arts Students = 358

  • Production Design Students = 104

  • Technical Arts Students = 49

  • Jobs Created  

  Career Pathways Students = 75

  Teaching Artists = 47

  Industry Artists & Techs = 37

  • Volunteers = 57

  • Audience Members = 8476 (inc. Live & Online)

  Total People Served = 10,000 and counting...

I used to be a very shy, soft spoken person, who really didn't participate. Theatre was a major confidence boost that has made me a more comfortable public speaker.

This whole experience has helped me recognize my potential for success and as we say, "If I can do Shakespeare, I can do anything

 

Emily, 7th Grade

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" Acaban de llegar los resultados del SBAC (examen estatal de California) de los estudiantes.

Todos los jóvenes de Shakespeare de mi clase muestran mejoras significativas en sus pruebas. Por ejemplo, Jade obtuvo una puntuación perfecta en Matemáticas, Emily está alrededor del percentil 95 tanto en Matemáticas como en ELA, y Elden saltó 2 niveles a "excede" en Matemáticas.

Al principio, me preocupaba que mis habitantes de Shakespeare no pudieran concentrarse en su aprendizaje en ese momento. Por el contrario, participar en The Young Shakespeareans definitivamente les ayudó a mejorar su confianza en sí mismos. Más importante aún, es una gran disciplina para estos niños establecer y perseguir un estándar más alto para sí mismos. Los resultados de sus pruebas son la prueba.

Muchas gracias por brindar una oportunidad tan maravillosa a nuestros estudiantes ".

So Sungwan, maestra de quinto grado

Escuela Primaria West Vernon

In all my years in education I have seen many after school programs but The Young Shakespeareans is the most effective in changing and improving student’s lives.

All the students are changed and improved: the shy students Like Juan D become confident and learn to trust themselves to speak publicly and project their voices; the overconfident students like Emily M learn to control their reactions and be aware and respectful of the rest of the group; everybody becomes a team player,  and a happier more excited person about life and learning. And after the final performance they all walk differently like people who accomplished something very important in their lives.

Mr. Barbu, John Adams Middle School Magnet Coordinator

"Muchas gracias por su apoyo para ayudar a mis estudiantes a mejorar sus habilidades de desarrollo del lenguaje.

Están muy felices de tener los libros y llevárselos a casa para leerles a sus familias. Algunos de los estudiantes dijeron que al leer el libro en casa, sus padres también aprenderán más inglés y vocabulario.

Esta nueva experiencia ayudará a los estudiantes a desarrollar más autoestima, a poder participar en las relaciones sociales con estudiantes y adultos, y también a respetar las ideas y creencias de los demás.

Una vez más, gracias por su amabilidad y la oportunidad de aprendizaje que les brindó a mis estudiantes bilingües y de bajo nivel socioeconómico ".

Karen Lara. Maestro de enlace

Escuela Primaria Nevin Avenue

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The Young Shakespeareans is proud to be a

fiscally-sponsored project of Community Initiatives. 

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