photo by Marc Kelly

Opening Act was founded in 2000 out of a clear need for more empowering experiences in New York City’s under-served public schools.

Its founders were actors and educators who believed they could offer students opportunities to build self-esteem, develop leadership skills, and take pride in their accomplishments through the medium they loved the most: the theater. Opening Act designed its program based on professionalism, high expectations, constant growth, and fun. Our pilot program at Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn in 2000-2001 was a great success and Opening Act quickly expanded its capacity to deliver programs to more schools in need, growing to meet the needs of ten high schools for the 2011-2012 school year.