T
he Chicago Avenue Project gives inner-city children an experience of success through the medium of theatre. Based on New York’s nationally renowned mentoring program, the 52nd Street Project, the Chicago Avenue Project brings together professional adult playwrights, actors and directors who volunteer to work one-on-one with neighborhood youth on the creation and production of an original play.
The project is not about teaching youth how to act, though they do learn acting. Nor is it about teaching them how to write plays, though they learn that as well. It is about giving every child an opportunity to prove that he or she has something of value to offer, something that comes from within, something that cannot be taken away.
Past productions of the Chicago Avenue Project have featured some of the Twin Cities’ best-known actors and playwrights, including actors Steve Hendrickson, Jodi Kellogg, Tracey Maloney, Jamila Anderson, Brian Grandison and James A. Williams; and playwrights Bill Corbett, Kim Hines,Tracey Scott Wilson, Randy Latimer, and Ann Schulman.
“…if you’re wondering how to tell if the project is working for these kids, it’s easy – just look into their eyes.” Syl Jones, Star Tribune
