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On April 17, The Children’s Trust Board of Directors approved funding recommendations for its Youth Development initiative, its largest investment area. More than 140 programs, including Area Stage Company, were selected during a competitive request for proposals and review process. These funds will help directly support children and families through after-school and summer programming in Miami-Dade County.
This particular investment into Area Stage Company will help fund the organization’s Conservatory program which aims to share the art of live theatre with students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, including a new after school enrichment program. Students enrolled in the enrichment program will have access to a full suite of classes as well as free academic support and theatre immersion giving them a well-rounded education from the classroom to the stage.
As part of the new after-school enrichment program, students in middle school or above first receive theatre immersion experiences, such as movie musical screenings and educational videos from Khan Academy, weekdays from 3:30pm to 4pm. This is then followed by the academic support program offered from 4pm to 8pm that provides students tutoring and additional support to work on any academic discipline the child needs.
Area Stage’s Conservatory program nurtures the next generation of theatre artists in three main pillars – acting, singing and dancing – by offering group classes, private lessons and Broadway-style Conservatory productions where young artists lean and perform with working professionals. Ultimately, children benefit from social, communication and emotional intelligence skills while honing their artistic craft.
“It is because of the generosity of The Children’s Trust funding and their Youth Development initiative that we are able to expand our unique offerings through our Conservatory program,” said Area Stage executive director Maria Banda-Rodaz. “Ultimately our goal is to nurture the young artists of Miami-Dade County to become positive leaders in the diverse communities they represent through their love of theatre, but also by providing a foundation of academic excellence.”
Youth Development programs throughout Miami-Dade that are funded by The Children’s Trust offer high-quality programming for children and youth in kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as young adults involved in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems and/or living with disabilities. The Trust is investing over $76 million to allow for the increased cost of programming as well as expanding programming to existing and new providers. As well as providing nutritional meals and safe spaces for children and youth, Trust-funded after-school and summer camp programs focus on homework and learning, while also requiring physical activity and encouraging health and social and emotional wellness.
“The Children’s Trust is proud to invest in an extensive network of youth development providers that offer an array of dynamic afterschool and summer programming to keep our youth learning, active, and engaged in the world around them,” said President & CEO of The Children’s Trust James R. Haj. “We look forward to partnering with these organizations to ensure our children have every chance to succeed and their parents know their kids are cared for while at work.”
To learn more about Area Stage Company’s Youth Development programming and more by visiting Area Stage Company | Theatre and Conservatory | Miami, FL 33143 (areastageconservatory.org)
About Area Stage Company
Area Stage Company, established in 1989, is an award-winning professional theatre company that stages provocative, world-class theatre productions. Founded by John and Maria Rodaz in Miami Beach, the company began as one of the pioneers of the Miami Beach arts community that surged in the 1980s on Lincoln Road. Since its inception, Area Stage has presented a mix of contemporary and classic plays, world premieres, and immersive theatre experiences quickly “changing the perception of standards of what South Florida theatres can and should be,” according to the Sun Sentinel, which described the organization as “one of the most influential theatres in the region.”
