Play On!
Play On! is a playwriting and acting course that transforms participants into members of a theater company and teaches them the elements of drama, while cultivating personal development and effective communication skills. Play On! can be of benefit to a wide variety of people groups, so we have adapted the program to serve a number of populations.
Over the course of the program, Play On! Theater Company members prepare and rehearse monologues and write their own short plays. At the beginning of each class, our Guest Artists perform a monologue, scene, song or dance, which the group then analyzes to reinforce the curriculum. Play On! culminates with these budding actors and playwrights performing their monologues and short plays!
We have brought Play On! to the following places:
- BronxConnect, a youth alternative-to-incarceration program
- P.S. 206, East Harlem
- Polo Grounds Community Center, Harlem (in partnership with Arts for All)
- Mercy Center, the Bronx (in partnership with Revolucion Latina)
- Covenant House, a shelter for teens (in partnership with Arts For All)
To see Play On! in action, check out this 5-minute mini-documentary about our time at P.S. 206:
If you're a professional theater artist and you’re interested in volunteering as a Guest Artist for our Play On! program, kick us an email at info@jaradoatheater.org or check our calendar for details on upcoming Play On! sessions.
P.S. 206 student feedback:
“I have learned how to write a short play. And how to read the monologues you gave us. How to use dialogue for the short play we make. How actors use blocking on stage when they are acting. Also how to memorize lines. I like this experience so much that I have had with all of you. Thank you!”
- Sandra
“My favorite part was when we did the warm ups because we were exercising at the same time. Also, my favorite part was when the man came in and rapped and when the other man was tapping.”
- Brittany
“Each one of you have a different talent that is wonderful. Thank you for performing scenes from plays and singing from plays.”
- Kelly
“My favorite part of Jaradoa is when we read our monologues cause it felt so real. Like when you guys act! Jaradoa Company 4 Life.”
- Monet
“I have learned that I was able to be a good company member and never, ever, ever laugh at anyone’s idea.”
- Devon
“I got to do what I didn’t know I could do. I had the best time it was amazing.”
- Nicole
“My favorite part was acting out the plays. And writing the plays. And everything we did was fun and my favorite.”
- Kevin