up geffen january report 2013

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Urban Possibilities & The Geffen PLayhouse Changing Lives Together ~ January 2013

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UP Geffen January Report

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Page 1: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Urban Possibilities &

Th The Geffen PLayhouse

Changing Lives

Together

~

January 2013

Page 2: UP Geffen January Report 2013

“I never dreamed

someone like me could

perform on stage.

Mrs. Eyvette, Mr. Craig, Ms. Dorothy, Ms. Alexis,

Mr. Connor and the Geffen

Playhouse changed my life. For the fi rst time my daughters saw me stand strong. They saw the fi nished product of Urban Possibili-ties in me. Oh how my enthusiastic hope for life has begun to consume my whole soul. I have a new family. I have blossomed. My

life has meaning now. It was like

being born again. I’m alive! Thank

you.” – Mamie Black

Page 3: UP Geffen January Report 2013

For 25 years Mamie was abused and addicted to drugs. She’s suffered the worst life has to offer and her daughters were witnesses. She joined our writing & empowerment program at the Los Angeles Mission where she is now living clean and sober and rebuilding her life. Lucky for Mamie that class included a special Geffen Playhouse component: at-tending plays, a Skid Row theatre discussion group, an Improv class and expert theatre coaching to prepare her to pres-ent her work at our end of class performance. We were all inspired when this mother of two and grand mom of one, took the stage and showed her girls that the past does not have to dictate the future. They saw their mom publicly face her darkness and take a courageous step into the light. An audience of 350, packed with homeless men and women, were inspired by that too.

Page 4: UP Geffen January Report 2013
Page 5: UP Geffen January Report 2013

“The event was powerfully moving and inspirational. Your students are beacons of light shining beyond the area of the mission auditorium. They are truth telling torch bearers showing that the fl ame of possibilities lay smol-

dering within all humankind and once stoked blazes brilliantly. It was amazing.”

“Your students inspired me to start thinking creatively again … and I am. Inspiration comes from everyone and everywhere and last night my inspiration came from skid row. “

Althea E. Garvey/Regional Vice President Chartis Insurance

“Thank you so much for inviting us to Friday’s performance! Words cannot truly express how powerful, inspiring and life-changing the experience was. It was such an honor to be in the audience. Thank you for being such an

incredible partner. Congratulations to you and your amazing students on an absolutely beautiful event!”

Jessica Brusilow Rollins/Associate Director of Donor Relations and Strategic PartnershipsGeffen Playhouse

“With grateful thanks the Los Angeles Mission is overjoyed and honored to again host this inspirational experi-ence. This program unleashes the mental ropes that hold students to self-imposed limitations and releases them with a creative process and momentum to become more, to do more and to share in community. This is one of

the most exciting and important collaborations we have.”

Herb Smith/President & CEOLos Angeles Mission

Page 6: UP Geffen January Report 2013
Page 7: UP Geffen January Report 2013

THANK YOU!

Mamie is just one of the lives on Skid Row we have impacted together. We are incredibly grateful to have such a passionate partner that believes with us that theatre can be a pow-erful lightening rod for change, particularly in communities like Skid Row that have the least

amount of access. And in this city that we both love and share, that’s vital because Los Angeles is the homeless capital of America.

I believe our collaboration is groundbreaking work. I know it is life changing. Together we are proving that beyond its entertainment value, theatre is a way to access the untapped potential of the poor. A doorway to help see beyond current circumstances into a broader world. A bridge that offers practical life skills that fuel progress, create

stronger more creative employees and lead to a successful life.

Thank you for investing resources to change lives with us.

Thank you for an extraordinary partnership.

Eyvette Jones Johnson & Craig JohnsonFounders – Urban Possibilities

Page 8: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Los Angeles

The Homeless Capitol of

America

It’s estimated that more than 50,000 are homeless each night in Los Angeles County making it the Homeless capital of America. The largest concentration - about 15-20,000 home-less men and women live on “Skid Row” where we work.

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, the home-less problem here is growing faster than the national

average and is trending upward in every demographic. Just outside our classroom doors, women are sleeping on the street, ex-offenders are languishing and veterans are eating out of trash cans. There are thousands clustered in missions, shel-ters, & low-income housing left behind by mainstream culture. Many who thought they’d never be unemployed or homeless have hit Skid Row with a tremendous thud. To recover they urgently need food, shelter, jobs – but we believe they urgent-ly need something more –laser focus on rebuilding self-worth and life skills to catapult them forward. Why? Because the high cost of poverty is not only the loss of a house or a job – it’s the

loss of self-esteem –it’s the inability to believe in yourself.

The need is huge. That’s why we team up with agencies and work together.

Page 9: UP Geffen January Report 2013

“PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE MARGINS DO

NOT HAVE MARGINAL MINDS”

- ANIL GUPTA

We BelieveThere is a sea of untapped potential in underserved communities waiting to be set free in service to our communities.

Within these marginalized groups , are those who have lived through life’s toughest circumstances yet refused to give up. That survival has built muscles in tenacity, courage, and resilience that can be channeled to move their lives forward,

address neighborhood problems and serve as a competitive advantage in our cities.

Poverty restricts growth and drains city resources. When you don’t invest in the potential of the poor, it doesn’t just hurt them, it hurts us all.

Thriving people build thriving communities.

MissionTo teach practical tools that help marginalized adults unlock their potential through art, innovation and empowered thinking and put it to work in our communities; to move the community to action by experiencing what’s possible when

we invest in their potential.

ClientsHomeless, working poor and at-risk adults 18 + who are pursuing training, education or employment programs.

Serving Skid Row AgenciesWe are one of the few organizations on Skid Row that is not proprietary and welcomes clients from all agencies. Some of the groups that have joined us for shows at the Geffen are Los Angeles Mission, Volunteers of Americas Homeless Veter-

ans, SRO Housing, and the Weingart.

Page 10: UP Geffen January Report 2013
Page 11: UP Geffen January Report 2013

ProgramsUrban Possibilities teams-up with Skid Row agencies and delivers our programs on-site within their facilities. Our “Urban Possibilities Tool Kit” is the empowerment curriculum that is the foundation for our work. We pair that tool kit with art and

performance to make the impact even stronger.

Our formula is simple: tool kit + art + public performance=student & community impact

The Writing & Empowerment Program Our introductory 10-week empowerment course that uses the power of story and performance to alchemize the pain of living in poverty into powerful tools for the future. It culminates in a published volume of work, a public reading and

book signing event.

Theatre Program A 5 month program that teaches students to turn their journal entries into monologues and music that they perform in

a full-scale production.

Clothing DrivesWhat we wear tells a story too. That’s why we recycle “gently used” business clothing to help clients land jobs. We partner with businesses, trade associations and individuals to host clothing drives. Some of those that support the program with

annual drives include: Aon Corp, Chartis Insurance, Gumbiner Savett Accountants, Public Counsel, The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, The City Club at Bunker Hill/ and others.

Digital Storytelling Last year, in just 6 days our student team wrote, shot, edited and starred in their fi rst fi lm which captured fi rst prize in Christopher Coppola’s Hollywood fi lm festival. This year we will use video to help students learn new skills, further devel-

op their presentation abilities and create exciting content.

Page 12: UP Geffen January Report 2013
Page 13: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Our Impact Together

“This play reminded me never to relinquish my soul.” Alexandra

“Sometimes it takes a play to remind us that hope is still alive. It taught me that no one or thing can stop you if you do not give up or give in. . . Thank you for allowing me to experience so much joy and knowledge at the same time.”

Pamela

“Wow! I can’t image being more inspired by anything. I have never seen a play before. I left the theatre feeling like I was walking on air.”

Ron

Since our partnership began in 2009 more than 300 students, donors and volunteers have joined us for “UP Nights At the Geffen Playhouse.” Our Skid Row pre-show discussion groups examine the empowerment lessons in each play. Ruined helped us take an introspective look at gang culture; Thurgood on achieving excellence even when the

world views you as inferior and Chad Deity on the perils of compromising yourself and your dream.

Geffen Educators then help us delve deeper into context, themes and historical references using our Geffen Playhouse Study Guides. Their instruction makes our theatre experience richer and less intimidating which is vital since many of our adult students have never seen a play. Our post show discussions allow us to compare notes, share insights and bond as we celebrate our theatre adventure together. This program is where some on

Skid Row have found us and in turn discovered new possibilities in themselves.

Students like Tony Tate

Page 14: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Update: Tony has moved from Skid Row to low-income housing in Hollywood. He continues to be excited about his classes at Los Angeles City College, is now an Urban Possibilities Ambassador and recently retrieved his son from Michi-gan where he was getting heavily involved in gangs. They will both take our next class and have already begun to write pieces they can perform on stage together.

Page 15: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Seeing what’s possible

can be the fi rst step to

getting there.

After piloting our fi rst Skid Row Theatre Program, we became a Geffen Playhouse outreach group. Our students fell in love with theatre and it mod-eled for them what great theatre looks like and inspired them to reach higher before they made

their stage debuts.

An Aha Moment!

Our second theatre class was twice the size and students start using what they were learning in class to help them land jobs. Improved confi dence, speaking ability, goal setting, thinking on their feet, presentations skills, and telling their stories succinctly. And we saw fi rst-hand that empower-ment lessons teamed with the discipline and skill learned in theatre had value long after the fi nal applause. More confi dent and creative employees

were being born.

Page 16: UP Geffen January Report 2013

“It’s believed that speaking in public is one of the greatest fears people have. Performing my piece on stage in front of a packed auditorium, I more than faced that fear. I spoke with a confi dence I never knew I had that I will now carry with me for the rest of my life in all I do.”

Page 17: UP Geffen January Report 2013

In 2012 Our Partnership Expanded

Our Impact Grew Stronger!

This year Geffen Playhouse staffers taught an Improv class as part of our tool kit and spent two weeks giving students expert prep to take the stage. In those rehearsals we watched them grow from knee-knocking body

shaking fear to comfort and then confi dence on stage. On show night they commanded the audience.

Building More Effective Employees

That synergy is a perfect fi t as we strategically focus on ways to leverage the skills the arts provide to help students become more creative and effective in life and as future employees. Teaching improv works in MBA programs at Harvard, Duke and MIT. We’ve seen how it’s also powerful for the homeless men and women in

our program.

Soft skills Improv Provides:Increased focus

Present in the moment Thinking on your feet

Active ListeningTeamwork

Better communicationLeadershipCreativity

Innovative thinking

Page 18: UP Geffen January Report 2013

As We Grow so Does Our Joint ImpactAs we grow, we are actively seeking partnerships with organizations that heavily invest in helping at-risk men and women land jobs. Our collaboration helps us deliver greater impact as students move towards sustain-

ability. We are the sole organization providing this service on Skid Row.

Page 19: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Moving Forward

Increased ImpactEstablishing the Improv class and stage preparation as a permanent part of our curriculum with continued focus

on soft skills development.

Expanding our ReachCreating Partnerships with organizations that support students on the road to sustainability

Additional ShowsHosting performances for donors and diverse audiences including a performance at the Geffen’s Skirball theatre

and larger events on the mainstage.

Digital Storytelling Training our students to document the program, collect testimonials, and create social media content using video

cameras

UP As Your Skid Row PartnerMaintain UP as the source group for skid row agencies to experience the Lights Up program.

Page 20: UP Geffen January Report 2013
Page 21: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Joint Opportunities

• Fundraising

• Attracting More Individual Donors

• Academic Research

• Publicity

• Social Media Marketing

Page 22: UP Geffen January Report 2013

New Program Idea

Story Possibilities for Urban Adults

As students experience theatre, take the stage and tell their stories they become hungry for more. Training them as a traveling troupe that writes and delivers skits on real world subjects can further help change lives. Young audiences can

learn from their mistakes and older ones can be inspired by their courage.

Potential audiences include: Inner-city middle schools and high schools, Community Colleges, Job Prep and Placement, Programs, Job Fairs, Other Non-Profi ts, Libraries And more!

Page 23: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Next Steps

• Feedback

• Joint Goals and objectives

• Plan for the 2013/2014 season

• MOU

• Budget

And More Outcomes Like these. . .

Page 24: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Qiana Williams“When I fi rst came to the class, so many traumat-ic things that happened in my past had crippled me. I couldn’t live. I couldn’t function. I used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain I held with-in my soul. There was no way to express myself to get rid of the garbage I held so tightly. This class helped me express myself once again, it has helped me grow as a woman, to empty the gar-bage bin in my head and get rid of the baggage that weighed down my spirit. I feel lighter – free! It has opened doors in me I thought were closed forever. I am so grateful for this class and I can’t wait to take it again. Thank you so much. I love

you guys!”

Qiana was a real estate broker, homeowner, wife and mother of four who lost everything in a year due to an addiction to crystal meth. Yet from the heart of Skid Row she is staging a comeback and being on stage is part of it. She is now living clean and sober, has worked to regain custody of her children, is a regular at our UP Nights at the Geffen Playhouse, and was our lead performer in our latest show. Next class she’ll share what’s she’s learned by teaching a lesson or two and we’ll start har-nessing her natural talent to be in front of the

camera too.

Page 25: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Michael Shain“Through this class, I have built a magic mirror of words. It does not tell me that I am the fair-est in the land, but it does not tell me that I am not the fairest, either. It has enabled me to see myself past, present, and future all in one image. I have illuminated the dark corners of my past through the bright light of my future to see my present. I am not what I was. And I am not yet what I will be, but thanks to Ur-ban Possibilities I am becoming more amaz-ing than I ever throught possible. Thank you for a life changing experience that I will always

cherish.” Michael Shain had the American dream. A CPA, married with a home in an affl uent suburb, a couple of cars in the garage, income property, a regular contributor to charities. He describes his downward spiral as the perfect storm: fi rst down-sized, then divorced, then he lost his remaining assets and his confi dence. When he landed on Skid Row he became angry feeling that he didnt deserve a fate like this. When we met him he

described himself as dead meat walking.

At the beginning, he was so shut down he would write just a few words and stop. We celebrated when he worked up to a sentence or two. Then the fl oodgates opened and the beauty of his voice came pouring through in volumes. Today, he is working again as a CPA, saving his money to leave Skid Row and publicly speaks on behalf of our organization. At our last book signing, he

was the fi rst in line to purchase books.

Page 26: UP Geffen January Report 2013

Michael Williams

“I used to sleep in graveyards. I always believed I was nothing, came from nothing and would always be nothing. My journey of self destruction by way of addiction, prison, and near death led me to Skid Row where I felt even more at home because there were others who felt just like me: hopeless, desti-tute, and dead. But Urban Possibilities armed me with valuable tools to learn more, do more and be more. With every word I wrote, every performance, every class, every experience, I learned that I was someone valuable and my belief system changed. I am now living on a clear path to my dreams, us-ing my gifts and my story to help others and there

are no limits to what’s possible.”

Michael is our Geffen Playhouse Student Liai-son. He expressed what coming to the theater means to him in the Geffen’s 2011-2012 Educa-

tion Report To The Community - (page 49)This June he earned his certifi cation to become a drug and alcohol counselor, graduating top of his class. His teachers selected him as a gradua-tion speaker. This former heroin user now works at a drug rehab facility on Skid Row during the day, although he no longer lives in the area, and attends college at night. His goal is to receive his Ph.D. in six years. When he does, the world will call him Dr. Williams. We’ve started calling

him that now.