Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Summer is here and Opening Act is ready to Yes, And … with a weekly roundup of notable events, helpful resources, and delightful distractions to keep you connected, inspired, and activated through the summer months. Delivered to your inbox every Monday morning, the OA Summer Series will keep you up to date on what’s worth knowing so you can relax and enjoy your summer!
If you have friends or relatives who would like this weekly resource guide, you can tell them to sign up here.
BE WELL
Join Hi Noon Improv (Thursdays @ noon, 30 minutes) Did you know that just 20 minutes of improv practice promotes overall wellbeing? Join Opening Act’s Jeremiah Thompson and Cathleen Carr for this weekly free, 30 minute improv boost to keep you connected and resilient! No experience necessary and all are welcome! Registration is required!
Feel better by doing Yoga with Halima! (Monday @ noon, Friday @ noon, Saturday @ 11:30am, Sunday @ 10am) Teaching since 2014, Halima’s Vinyasa yoga classes focus on proper alignment and straightforward yet challenging sequences in a light-hearted, welcoming environment. Halima believes a mindful practice can decompress and strengthen the body, mind, and spirit! Off the mat Halima is a NYC based actor and Opening Act teaching artist who’s a proud U of Michigan alum. Classes are Pay What You Can.
WATCHING
Ahem. Have you watched Hamilton on Disney Plus yet?
Anthony Ramos made a surprise entrance for our alumni-led discussion, Hamilton Four Years On: Opening Act Alumni Discuss Hamilton, Black Lives Matter, and the Future. If you missed this poignant and powerful reflection from former OA students on the impact that Hamilton had on their lives, no fear! You can watch it here.
READING
Opening Act Artistic Advisory Board member, Kenny Leon co-authored, along with Indira Watraoo, A New World Awaits Us for American Theatre. This is a must-read for the theater lovers among us.
LISTENING
Need to freshen your Spotify for the summer? Check out Opening Act’s first ever playlist, Got Your Back. Sourced just for you from alumni, teaching artists, and the staff of Opening Act!
LEARNING
Wow. Abolitionist Teaching and the Future of Our Schools, a webinar featuring Dena Simmons, Bettina Love, Gholdy Muhammad, and Brian Jones, has really inspired us. Produced by Haymarket Books and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, this is a must-watch for those interested in learning more about antiracist and abolitionist education.
FAMILY FUN
Nothing beats an 8 count shake out! Follow along with OA Teaching Artist Jesus Pellot as he leads this signature improv warm-up that has been energizing young people and teachers alike for years!
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan presents The Magic of Meditation on Wednesday, July 8th from 11:00 am – 11:30 am (ages 6 and older). You can register for this free, online workshop here.
COMMUNITY
Read this moving valedictorian speech by Rafaelina Fabian Ciprian, a graduating senior from one of our 2019-2020 partner schools – Academy for Excellence in Leadership at the Bushwick Campus in Brooklyn – published in the New York Daily News.
WHAT OA STUDENTS ARE UP TO
Opening Act graduating seniors were welcomed into the Act 2 Alumni Network Thursday, July 2nd through our annual Open Mic Alumni Kick-Off event.
Students and alumni performed original pieces, played improv games, and shared knowledge and wisdom during this special event. Organized and facilitated by Act 2 Fellows, this annual event bridges graduating seniors into our strong and supportive network of alumni, mentors, and community partners.
Thanks for reading and please reach out with suggestions and submission ideas to hello@openingact.org. Follow our Act 2 Fellows on Instagram and look out for for the latest on Opening Act’s Summer Arts and Leadership Conservatory. See you next Monday!
Got your back!