History
In 2000, Julia Kamin, along with an intrepid collection of artists, activists, and educators came together for a simple purpose: use theater to give young people living in NYC something to look forward to after school.
Energized by the urgent need for equitable arts programming in New York City public schools, Opening Act teaching artist and first full-time staff person, Suzy Myers Jackson, became Executive Director in 2008 and facilitated over a decade of tremendous growth under her transformative leadership.
Growing from one after school partnership in 2000 to 57 in 2020, Opening Act has produced hundreds of original student performances; trained thousands of young people in improv, acting technique, and playmaking; and has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships for students matriculating to college and professional performance-based classes in NYC.
In 2016, Opening Act recommitted to working with NYC’s most vulnerable population of youth through its partnership with District 79, NYC’s alternative school system that engages young people disconnected from their education due to incarceration, homelessness, and other challenges. Along with its Act 2 Postsecondary Success program, Middle School programming, robust Alumni Network, and enriching Summer Arts and Leadership Conservatory and Student Leadership Company, Opening Act has demonstrated that accessible, high-quality theater education, in collaboration with a supportive community, is a spark that transforms lives.
In February, 2020, Opening Act welcomed Zareta Ricks as Executive Director. The organization quickly adjusted to virtual programming during the COVID-19 crisis, ensuring students and alumni across NYC and beyond have brave, bold, and creative spaces to connect to community, hope and joy. The Opening Act for All channel on YouTube featured synchronous and asynchronous content designed to bring the magic of their unique after school workshops to any home, any space, any participant.
In the fall of 2021, Opening Act programs were able to return safely in person, gathering our ensembles together for much-needed, healing-centered programming. Through the challenges of the pandemic, Opening Act managed to remain at all its program sites, maintaining its long-term school partnerships and continuing to show up for its students when they needed these programs most.
In 2023, the search began for a new Executive Director who could usher Opening Act into its next chapter, while Deborah Steinglass assumed the interim role. In 2024, Opening Act welcomed Alexander Santiago-Jirau as its new Executive Director and is looking forward to an even brighter future as they continue changing lives through theatre education.