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Programs

Discover Sheakespeare Summer Program

Category: Arts, Culture & Humanities - Theater
Beneficiaries: Poor/economically disadvantaged, indigent, general; Youth/adolescents only (14-19 years)
Priority: 3
Budget: $50,000.00

Junior Players' Shakespeare program provides professional training of the highest caliber to area high school students. In the spring, auditions workshops and open auditions are held at area high schools. In 2010, 25 students from 13 area high schools participated in the program. Rehearsals begin in June and the 6 performances will run during the last week of July. This year Junior Players presented our nineteenth collaboration with Shakespeare Dallas, 6 free performances of "Romeo & Juliet" at Samuell-Grand Park, reaching audiences of 3,500.
Junior Players has also added a free Discover Shakespeare Camp for students in grades 6 to 8. The 2-week middle school Shakespeare Camp gives youth an opportunity to explore the language of the bard and demonstrate what they've learned in a culminating performance.

Definition of long-term success:

To be in a financial position that will allow us to offer the program annually.
To grow the current level of programming so that we can offer more sequential learning opportunities for middle school and high school students.

Definition of short-term success:

To maintain our current level of programming for low-income youth.
To increase language skills of children ages 10 to 14.
To increase reading comprehension skills in children ages 10 to 14.
To increase self-esteem and self-confidence.
To provide access to the work of Shakespeare and theater in general.
To teach basic Shakespearean acting techniques to middle school aged children.

Success monitored by:

A questionnaire specifically designed for the program that is completed by all participants and their parents.
Audience surveys are also conducted.

Evidence of success:

Program continues and participation from area high schools increases. Audiences continue to increase. Students graduate from high school and attend college. Junior Players continues to offer college scholarships for some participants.