The Need

Students who attend high quality after-school programs fare markedly better in school, relate better to peers, and have far fewer incidences of drug use, violence, and pregnancy. Nowhere is quality after-school programming needed more than in New York City, where only 60% of students graduate in four years. Of course, the city’s worst performing schools also have the greatest shortage of programming; most acutely, programs that teach the arts. In these schools, the need for programs that empower students and make learning exciting is great.

Opening Act specifically targets New York City’s highest need schools: we reach out to schools that have low reading scores (less than 30% of incoming freshmen reading at grade level), low graduation rates (less than 54% of students graduating in four years), and an evident lack of theater programming. Read more.

All of our programs are offered at no cost to our schools, guaranteeing that regardless of fluctuating school or Department of Education budgets, we are there for our students.

At this critical time of city, state, and federal budget cuts, our programs have become increasingly valuable to schools and their communities as we are one of very few arts organizations offering programs free of charge to the schools. Read more about how our programs are unique.