At Opening Act, we believe every student deserves a place to shine. Opening Act's free, year-long, after school 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. Founded in 2000 out of a clear need for more after-school and arts programs in New York City's schools OA designed its program based on professionalism, high expectations, constant growth and fun. To date OA has impacted over 700 students who participated in programs at 13 high schools. http://www.openingactnewyork.org/

MISSION

At Opening Act, we believe every student deserves a place to shine. We provide the stage. Theater is the medium through which our students gain confidence, pride and the knowledge that they can succeed at anything in life. Opening Act aims to provide every NYC public school student an artistic space where they can develop commitment, community, and leadership through their artistic achievement.

HOW VARIETY HELPS

Variety the Children's Charity of New York's grant to Opening Act will be used toward funding an Adopt School program for a year at the Franklin K. Lane Campus in Brooklyn. With the support of Variety, Opening Act will be able to provide 30 weekly, 2-hour after-school sessions, an Opening Act teaching artist, an Opening Act teaching artist assistant, program oversight by OA's Executive Director and two ensemble performances—one of which will be performed in a professional theater space—for the students of The Franklin K. Lane Campus.