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Impact

Impact

Although Opening Act’s medium is the theater, our results go well beyond the stage. Our students graduate as energized leaders within their schools, who value community and commitment, and display confidence in their talents and power to accomplish whatever they set out to achieve. Through their artistic achievement, Opening Act students develop communication and problem-solving skills and strengthen their abilities in writing and self-expression.

Since its founding in 2000, Opening Act has impacted over 1425 students who participated in 108 semester long programs at 13 high schools, and created and performed in 57 afternoon showcases and 50 full scale productions.

Read success stories from Opening Act students and alums here.

Report Card

Opening Act conducts a rigorous system of evaluation in which our students, their teachers, and our teaching artists assess the students’ growth over the year, including their confidence level, self-expression, academic motivation, ability to work as a team, and development of artistic skills.

Results from our year-end evaluations show that we are succeeding in our goals:

  • 93% of students said that Opening Act improved their ability to work as a team
  • 100% reported that their participation in Opening Act increased their self-confidence
  • 79% felt more confident in their other school classes as a result of their work with Opening Act

Opening Act creates supportive communities in which students feel free to express their individuality and thrive under the support and guidance of their teaching artists:

  • 98% of students said they felt part of a supportive community in Opening Act
  • 100% said they felt free to show their individuality
  • 100% felt their teaching artists set high expectations
  • 93% of students said their teaching artists inspired them to work hard and grow as an actor or as a person

The success of Opening Act’s programs also has an impact on our partnering schools as a whole:

  • 73% of students said they wanted to go to school more because of Opening Act
  • 75% said Opening Act made them proud to go to their school