Theatre program

Since 2012, Audacity’s after school theater program has produced productions across Silicon Valley.  Our theatre program is closing what Juan Cruz, Superintendent at Franklin McKinley School District, calls “the performing arts opportunity gap” in our Title 1 school.

Audacity’s Elementary and Middle School after school theatre program focuses on Title 1 schools, integrating technology with traditional theatre education. These 9-10 week productions run three days weekly and include comprehensive support:

• Full artistic direction team

• Scripts and licensing fees

• Professional sound/lighting 

• Costumes

• Props

• Sets

• All required liability insurance

• Livescan background checks

Audacity productions are staged at school sites to eliminate families' financial and transportation barriers. This approach is part of Audacity’s larger mission to provide arts education opportunities to Title 1 schools by making theatre accessible to underserved communities. These programs emphasize inclusion and aim to create safe spaces for students to explore creativity and self-expression through performing arts. 

Impact

• Theatre productions boost student confidence and provide supportive environments for self-expression, particularly important for Title 1 school students.

• Students develop collaboration skills through extensive teamwork required to put on shows, strengthening their sense of community during rehearsals.

• The programs create accessible performing arts opportunities in Title 1 schools, eliminating financial and transportation barriers by staging productions at school sites.

• Students with various abilities, including those with speech concerns, gain confidence to perform on stage, demonstrating personal growth through the theatre experience.

Principal Reflections:

“I have seen the growth of the students who participate in these productions firsthand. The work of Audacity is in service of academic and social-emotional learning. For weeks, I see students walk around with scripts to practice at every free moment they get. They work together and strengthen their sense of community during rehearsals, which impacts the school day. The older students feel a strong sense of responsibility in supporting the younger students and building friendships with them. 

“Nothing can describe the pride I feel in the students and families on the day of the performances. I have watched students with speech concerns and differing abilities confidently stand on stage and perform an entire show.”

Mariana Alvarez, Principal 

Robert F. Kennedy Elementary