Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit Annual Report 2022-2023

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit

Together with you we celebrated three decades of building youth capacity, nurturing creativity and and enriching our community through the arts.

At Mosaic, we believe passionately in the power and unlimted potential of young people and in challenging the status quo. For 30 years, we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with our Mosaic family – young artists, alumni, staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and host of champions for education and the arts.

Our story began with one goal: to bridge gaps in arts access in Detroit. Our aim was to ensure that young people with a passion for theater, irrespective of their background, could have quality and affordable training. Over the last 30 years we’ve evolved into an organization that not only provides access to the arts but also paves pathways to equity and opportunity through them. Mosaic has transformed from being a sanctuary for artistic expression into a catalyst for change, a champion of justice, and a national model for creative youth development.

Over the years, thousands of young people have invited us to join their journey, some with soaring dreams, others with aspirations just beginning to take shape. Regardless of where they start, we’re there to nurture, connect, prepare and amplify their voices. We continue to witness them transform into confident, capable, and compassionate individuals who carry the Mosaic motto, Only the Best, Nothing Less, with them wherever they go.

They’ve graced stages worldwide, their voices have resonated in powerful performances, and they’ve become influential leaders in their communities.

The past 30 years stand as a testament to the incredible individuals who’ve been part of this journey. To the young artists and alumni creating change across the country, thank you for carrying Mosaic’s legacy. To our devoted staff, volunteers, and donors, your unwavering support and belief in our mission create ripples that reach across generations.

As we look forward, optimism and excitement fill our hearts. We see boundless possibilities for youth, Mosaic and the world sparked by what we are accomplishing in Detroit. We are committed to persisting in our work, creating immediate and lasting change.

Our 30th Anniversary is not just a celebration of the past; it’s a pledge for the future. It reaffirms our belief in the arts’ power to transform lives, break down barriers, and foster understanding. It reminds us that together, we are stronger, and we all shine brighter when every piece is valued and celebrated.

Thank you for locking arms with us for 30 incredible years and for your unwavering support, dedication, and faith in the potential of young people.

Together, we’ve created something remarkable, and I am so excited to see what we will do next.

DeLashea Strawder Executive and Artistic Director

Maddox Board Chair

Beverly

MISSION

Creating pathways to equity and opportunity through arts experiences that engage, transform and inspire youth and communities.

STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

Only the best, nothing less. We are committed to pursuing excellence in our programs, business operations and partnerships and we are dedicated to investing the time and resources necessary to achieve excellence in all that we do.

DREAM BOLDLY

We hold ourselves accountable to courageously pursuing creativity, resourcefulness, and imagination in and out of the office. We embrace innovative, audacious ideas that work towards accomplishing our mission.

BUILD COMMUNITY

We believe that the uniqueness of each individual contributes to the strength and beauty of the whole. We are committed to enhancing the communities we serve and those we are a part of creating.

EMBRACE JOY

We choose to embrace joy as we pursue our mission and work to spread joy to others as we connect, collaborate, create, and incite positive change in our community. to investing the time and resources necessary to achieve excellence in all that we do.

CREATE

CREATE confident, creative thinkers through comprehensive pre-professional arts training and leadership development.

With arts as the motivating catalyst, Mosaic’s Youth Ensembles develops and inspires the behaviors and critical life and learning skills youth need to have successful, empowered lives through adulthood. Young artists (Grades 7-12) transform as they engage in intensive training, workshopping tried and true, as well as, experimental works and cultivating their artistic voice through the creation of original work.

. Number of Young Artists: 99

. % of Youth of Color: 98%

. % of Detroit Residents: 44%

. Hours of Programming: 593

. Average Attendance: 70%

. Program Contact Hours: 41,095

. Number of Audience Members Reached: 6,739

. % of Returning Young Artists

(Ensemble Actors): 7%

. % of Returning Young Artists

(Ensemble Singers): 11%

. Number of New Works Created by Detroit-area Teens: 28

. Number of New Works Created, Commissioned, or Produced/Written by Artist of Color: 41

Mosaic’s in-school residency program provides students in grades 3 through 12 with an introduction to our brand of high-energy creative youth development and performing arts training. Our goals for our residencies include engaging in ensemble/team building, focusing on positive working relationships that rely on respect, acceptance and accountability and to promote safe space.

. Number of Total Programs: 11

. Number of School Partners: 9

. Number of Title 1 Schoolwide Schools: 9

. Number of Young Artists: 248

. % of Youth of Color: 100%

. Hours of Programming: 202

. Number of Contact Hours: 24,393

. Average Attendance: 73%

“Creating Change: How Mosaic Activates, Connect, Prepare and Amplify” invites us to see behind the curtain of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. Hear from talented young artists, passionate alumni, and dedicated staff as they share how Mosaic is creating equity through the arts for Detroit-area youth.

CLICK TO WATCH

CONNECT

CONNECT youth to professional artists, mentors, and development opportunities, equipping them with the skills and resources they need to thrive through adulthood.

. Alice and The New Wonderful Tour l 5 Performances

. Summer Camp l 2 Neighborhoods

. School Residencies l 12 Schools, Over 300 Young Artists

. Community Performances l 12 Performances

. Mosaic Mobile l 15 Locations

MAP OF IMPACT

MOSAIC MOBILE SITES

. Sojourner Truth Homes

. EnVision Center

. Heilmann Recreation Center

. Patton Recreation Center

. Smith Homes

. Brewster Homes

. St. Stephens

. Greater Christ Baptist Church

. Africa-America Institute

SUMMER CAMP

. Indian Village

. Brightmoor

SCHOOL RESIDENCY PARTNERS

. Detroit Community Schools Elementary

. Detroit Community Schools High School

. Detroit Edison Public School Academy

. University Yes Academy

. Chandler Park Elementary

. Chandler Park Middle School

. American International Academy

. Pontiac Public Schools (in partnership with AAI)

. University Prep High School Science and Math (in partnership with AAI)

. Pontiac Public Schools (Middle School Summer School)

. Detroit Community Schools (Middle School Summer School)

. University Prep Schools (High School Summer School)

We’d like to extend a special thank you to all of the schools that joined us for our Friday matinee of Alice & The New Wonderful at the Detroit Institute of Arts!

THANK YOU TO:

. Detroit Community Schools Elementary & High School

. Uprep Math & Science Elementary

. Detroit International Academy for Young Women

. Oak Park Preparatory Academy

. Davis Aerospace Technical High School at Golightly

. Nichols Elementary-Middle School

. Eastpointe Middle School

. Estabrook Elementary

. Munger Elementary

. Carstens Elementary

. Mann Elementary

. Foreign Language Immersion & Cultural Studies (F.L.I.C.S.)

. Stevenson Middle School

. Vandenberg World Culture Academy

. Gompers

. Levey Middle School

During the talkback, the audience was asked how they saw Alice grow and change throughout the play. One young person offered that she saw Alice’s friendships change as she learned more and more about the world and herself. She said something like, “sometimes you just have to let some people go as you get older, change, and learn more, and that’s okay.

– Chandler Park Elementary

Thank you to all who joined us for Alice & the New Wonderful, a show-stopping performance by Idris Goodwin featuring music by Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit!

After the unforgettable adventures in Wonderland, Alice (a 12-year-old Black girl) struggles to reintegrate into the real world. As she grapples with feelings of alienation from her family and friends, she sets off to find a NEW wonderland in her city.

With a stellar cast and jaw-dropping performances, this memorable production was one for the books!

CLICK TO WATCH

The young children were very excited and enjoyed the play tremendously, and asked questions of how they could join Mosaic.

– Munger Elementary

PREPARE

PREPARE young artists for college and career pathways within the creative industry and other industries requiring soft skills and a professional presence.

This past April, Mosaic’s Ensemble members embarked on two college tours. The young artists had an opportunity to tour campuses, and meet students and staff at: Temple University, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee College of Music & Berklee Africana, Harvard College, Emerson College, New England Conservatory, Miami University, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

While on tour, Mosaic carved out a few moments for the Ensemble to share their love of performing theatre with students at a Boston Public School. A visit with Mosaic’s The Lewis Prize for Music accelerator cohort, Beyond the Bars, resulted in an amazing jam session.

Mosaic is grateful to The Lewis Prize for Music, The Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation, The Jeffery Seller Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts and their continued partnerships that made this year’s college tours possible. Take a look at this year’s College Decision Day Reel to see where some of the class of 2023 is enrolled.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE l Class of 2023

. 100% of all class of 2023 graduated on time.

. 100% of all class of 2023 were accepted to 2-year and post-secondary institution.s

. 87.5% of all class of 2023 have enrolled and are on track to attend 2-year and 4-year post secondary institutions for the Fall of 2023.

COLLEGE PERSISTENCE

100% 100% 87.5% 71% 99% 93%

. 99% on time High School Graduation rate of classes 2019-2023.

. 93% of first year alumni attended a 4-year or 2-year institution after graduation,

. 71% persistence rate for all alumni classes 2019, 2020, and 2021, 2022.

AMPLIFY

AMPLIFY the voices of young people to empower them as the next generation of leaders, artists, ambassadors, and advocates for a thriving Detroit and a greater world.

With this year’s theme of “Lost in Time”, the festival showcased original plays and compositions written by Detroit-area teens, directed by professional theater artists, and performed by young professionals at the Detroit Public Theatre. Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate this new generation of artists, ambassadors, and advocates for a thriving Detroit enriched by arts and culture.

CLICK TO WATCH

SUMMER AMBASSADOR ENSEMBLE

In partnership with The Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program (GDYT), ensemble Artists worked together to produce, perform, and tour a production of Mosaic’s Alice and the New Wonderful to Detroit-area neighborhoods and camps. Ensemble artists also workshopped and performed new works written by Detroit-area youth for Mosaic’s New Voices: Detroit Youth Playwright and Composer Festival. This was a paid summer experience for the young artists.

ALICE TOUR STOPS

. Brilliant Detroit (2 locations)

. Heilmann Recreation Center

. Patton Recreation Center

. Butzel Family Recreation Center

The skills and knowledge

I have gained at Mosaic have helped me to know what type of college works for me, what I’m looking for in a college, how important it is to have a resume and what opportunities lie beyond me. Being at Mosaic has changed my life!

- Carley Brooks Mosaic Young Artist

Mosaic took so many young brilliant artists and brought out the greatness within us. It revealed pathways and possibilities that changed lives. Mosaic is joy in action.

- H. Adam Harris Mosaic Alum

Mosaic has given Detroit an artistic footprint and a reputation for training incredible young performers. Mosaic is where dreams become goals.

- Sophina Saggau

Mosaic

Alum

Mosaic taught me to commit both onstage and off. To go hard every time I hit the stage and hold nothing back. But also do commit to my craft when off the stage. Why do the thing if you’re not gonna put your whole self into it?

Only the best, nothing less!

- Harron Atkins

Mosaic

Alum

THANK YOU TO OUR PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS

City of Detroit Block Grant, Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

Emerging World

Jeffrey Seller Family Foundation

Marshall Mathers Foundation

Michigan First Foundation

Michigan Humanities Council

Oliver Dewey Marcks Foundation

Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation

Village Club Foundation

Zipser Foundation

MOSAIC FINANCIALS

EXPENSES REVENUE

69% FOUNDATION PARTNERS

8% INDIVIDUAL PARTNERS

8% CORPORATE PARTNERS

4% GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

12% PROGRAM INCOME

79% PROGRAM

11% MANAGEMENT & GENERAL

10% FUNDRAISING

LOOKING AHEAD STRATEGIC PLAN

Deepen Impact and Effectiveness

Foster Partnerships and Collaborations

Ensure Organizational Sustainability and Growth

MOSAIC YOUTH THEATRE OF DETROIT STAFF

*DELASHEA STRAWDER l Executive & Artistic Director

ALFREDA LILES l School & Community Partnerships Coordinator

AMELIA HEFFERON l Teaching Artist

ANNICK BUSCH l Development Manager

*ANDAIYE SPENCER l Programs Manager

CHARLENE MCNARY l Finance & Operations Manager

*EDMUND JONES l Teaching Artist

JOE BAILEY l Executive Assistant / HR Generalist

JULIA CALLIS l Accounting & Grants Associate

KEIR WARD l Teaching Artist

LAKEYSHA LOCKE l College & Career Pathways Coordinator

NICK YOCUM l Program Specialist, Tech Theater

*NIKOLAS HUEY l Teaching Artist

* Denotes Mosaic alum

MOSAIC YOUTH THEATRE OF DETROIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BEVERLY MADDOX | Board Chair

TERRY W. BONNETTE | Vice Chair

WISAM FAKHOURY | Treasurer

DIANE BORGUS GREEN, M.A., N.C.C. | Secretary

SJONNE BADGEROW

CORNELL BATIE

ROXANNE BROWN

MARIETTA CLEVELAND

MELISSA MCCLARY DAVIS

MARK DENIS

ANTWAN PRICE

ROY SEXTON

KELLI VAN BUREN

TERREL WHITE

BRITTANY WILLIAMS