Photos by Craig Johnson Photography
education and outreach
members of urban possibilities attend a talk back tuesday performance of by the way, meet vera stark
endless possibilities:
shining a light on our communities Being an integral part of the greater Los Angeles
community has been a priority since the Geffen Playhouse’s inception. Our founder, Gil Cates, envisioned a professional theater space where everyone was not only welcomed, but genuinely encouraged to attend regardless of their circumstances and resources. This commitment to access still serves as the primary driving force behind one of the Geffen’s most robust outreach programs: Lights Up. Lights Up, which was designed to engage populations who have the least access to the arts, currently works with more than 45 community organizations, serving constituents ranging from veterans to seniors, ESL classes to group homes and victims of abuse to Skid Row residents. Every year, this program has expanded both in breadth and depth; while we continue to welcome new organizations as community partners, we are also identifying already existing partners with whom we can develop more comprehensive relationships. All of our participating groups receive complimentary tickets to Geffen Playhouse’s world-class performances, along with study guides unique to each production. An example of a collaboration going more in depth is our work with Urban Possibilities (UP), a non-profit that uses the power of art and culture to change the lives of homeless and working poor people in Los Angeles. In addition to inviting the UP community to attend performances and providing show-specific study guides, Geffen Playhouse teaching artists are attending UP meetings and teaching improvisation classes focusing on the development of life skills like being present in the moment, speaking confidently in public, thinking on your feet and collaborating creatively with a partner. Together with UP and dozens of other Lights Up groups, the Geffen Playhouse continues to take the merits of live theater beyond the stage and into the diverse populations of our community. P22 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINe
Lights Up is far more than entertainment for the men and women of Urban Possibilities — it is a license to dream beyond the pain of living on Skid Row and the mistakes of the past. Being welcomed through those doors, makes us all stand taller and feel connected to something greater than ourselves no matter what our circumstances or zip code may be. Lights Up is helping us change lives, and we are deeply grateful to be a partner in this program. — Eyvette Jones-Johnson, Founder & Executive Director, Urban Possibilities