ELIZABETH YOUTH THEATER ENSEMBLE

Creative Courage

Elizabeth, NJ | https://elizabethyouththeater.org/

Mission

Established in 2016, The Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble’s mission is centered upon strengthening the voices of young artists. Utilizing theater-arts based curricula, EYTE provides creative learning opportunities for youth of city and global majorities where they gain experiences that empower self and community.

Ruling year info

2015

Executive and Artistic Director

Theodore Perkins

Main address

PO Box 1325

Elizabeth, NJ 07207 USA

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EIN

80-0948665

NTEE code info

Arts Education/Schools (A25)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

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Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Walking the Beat- Cops/Kids Program

In partnership with Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble, Hollywood PAL and Los Angeles City College, The Fountain Theatre proudly introduces Walking the Beat Hollywood 2020, a summer theater arts based program for inner city high school youth and police officers in the Hollywood area.

The Fountain Theatre launched this pioneering arts education program in Hollywood in 2019 with support from HBO Inspires,
Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and other community partners. The program was transformative for LAPD officers and underserved youth from Hollywood communities. Utilizing performing arts as a vehicle for youth empowerment and community building, Walking the Beat provides a results based
arts education methodology and curriculum. This 9 week program builds confidence, character, communication skills and community.

Walking the Beat inspires — in students and officers alike — an appreciation for their common humanity, and a commitment to community and social justice. To quote
Commanding Officer Cory Palka of LAPD Hollywood: “LAPD Hollywood was excited to partner with the Fountain to make Walking the Beat Hollywood 2019 a reality.

This program was another giant step in building trust in our community. It’s an investment we must continue to make. We look forward to the summer 2020 journey.”

Walking the Beat

The Walking the Beat project works to reinforce positive interactions between police and young people through facilitated dialogue and improvisation. The residency brings local police officers together with high school students to devise a piece of theater focused on community policing.

The first phase in the residency is trust building. Working to create a safe space for unsafe ideas. This is accomplished by communicating with each other in real and honest ways. They get to tell their own stories, listen to each other share their concerns, and discover similarities between them that they never knew existed.

They are then challenged, in phase two, to craft all of their ideas into a piece of theater that is presented as a free community event. The process is cathartic for both the police officers and the students. They are cultivating relationships with each other that will continue to grow beyond this program. So that when they see each other in their neighborhood, they feel comfortable and safe.

Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Theater Project

Through devised theater practices, exercises and writing techniques, high school students and seniors together generates material to present to the community. The entire process is documented along the way as a historical record. What will be rendered is an urgent and honest piece of work reflective of a diverse citizenry sharing space together.