MISSION & VALUES

Committed to advancing arts equity in NYC and beyond, for more than twenty years, Opening Act has actively centered the voices of students of color through free, high-quality theater programming.

Opening Act’s theater programs provide students attending New York City’s most under-served public schools the opportunity to gain confidence, pride, and the knowledge that they can succeed at anything in life.

Since inception, we have grown to reach over 7,000 young people. Today, our free, year-long, after school theater program serves 55 schools throughout New York City, including our partnership with District 79, the city’s alternative school district, where we work with young people who are pursuing a high school equivalency diploma in a formal educational environment because their education was disrupted by a life event.

Opening Act students proudly take their bows after performing their culminating original plays at a professional NYC theater. Photo by JG.

At Opening Act, these values guide our work, our community, and our creativity:

RESPECTING
“Respecting is reassurance of yourself. Recognizing and acknowledging others with consideration for generations to come.” –Caleb Grandoit, Alum

SHOWING UP
“Showing up is being yourself and knowing that being yourself is enough and knowing that you make all of us better.” –Jacob Matthews, Alum

LISTENING
“Listening is the only way to really make us connect with each other and it’s the only way that we can really access our true, authentic selves.” –Jeremiah Thompson, Alum

YES, AND-ING
“YES, and-ing is affirmation that, in this moment, you are enough. That whatever you are working on is enough. Whatever you bring to the table is enough. Whatever project you are working on and whoever you may be collaborating with and whatever you are creating together is enough.” –Brittany Adebumola, Alum

EMPOWERING
“Empowering is the act of inspiring others. Each generation is supposed to inspire each other to want to do better and create something new.” –Nathasha Bell, Alum

INCLUDING
“Alone we are strong but together we are stronger.” –Joshua Sanchez, Alum

Read about our programs and our impact.