"City Stage Co. helped me realize that I found something that can let me be me and feel free whenever I do it and that something is acting."
Jessica
City Stage Co. offers urban children, youth and families opportunities to participate in the performing arts, so they can make discoveries about themselves and the world. We do this through performing, educating and collaborating.
"I see myself as more of an artist now, than ever before."
Luis
2005 Elliot Norton Award from the Boston Theater Critics Association
"I’ve been in City Stage since the age of eight. I’m in love with theater and I don’t think it would be possible without City Stage.
For this I am thankful."
Cesarina
“...instructive and really, really hilarious...”
The Boston Globe
"City Stage inspired me to do my art."
Michael
"From the opening of the City Stage Co.'s performance, two things are immediately clear: smiles are contagious; and City Stage Co. might need a new name. More than just another Saturday afternoon sit back and watch, the City Stage players radiate energy and transform entire rooms into their stage."
The TAB
“...so delicious you want to take them home.”
The New York Times
We Make the Whole City Our Stage
City Stage Co. sends original, participatory plays to reach family audiences in the neighborhoods where they live. We also offer daily performances on KidStage at the Boston Children's Museum.
"One guy came up to me and said," for 30 minutes you brought joy to my heart so thank you for that." That made me think, Well if I could do that then I'm satisfied."
Salem
We Put City Youth on Stage
City Stage Co. offers free, intensive performing arts education programs for urban kids during the school day and after-school, as well. Our students develop critical thinking skills, a sense of teamwork, discipline, creativity -
and they have fun!
Collaborating
We Share the Spotlight
City Stage Co. partners with other organizations to share resources, reach more kids and deepen the impact of this important work. Cultivating and maintaining collaborations is central to our success.
Our partners include Blackstone Community Center, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston Children's Museum, Boston Ballet, Boston History & Innovations Collaborative, Boston Public Schools, Children's Hospital Boston, Cloud Place, WGBH and many, many more
Celebrating
Some of City Stage Co.'s accomplishments
Founder Susan Gassett was named the 2006 Theatre Hero by StageSource.
"Shakespeare, eat your heart out. Playwrights Larry Coen and Susan Gassett know how to get kids excited about serendipity and science."
Metro West Daily News
Arts in Education Dissemination Grant from Federal Department of Education for Dramatic Developments program in Boston Middle Schools.
“...it is done with drama and poignancy, and says to children,
‘This is about you and, what you can do.”
The New York Times
MUSE Award from American Association of Museums for researching and writing an interactive video about children and racism. Getting Across to Each Other was featured at the Smithsonian Institute and at museums throughout the United States.
"Whether calling out improv-like suggestions, passing Grandfather Sun around faster and faster, or donning Pogo Pig's ensemble, the audience fills out the story and makes it personal and unique. Since every show depends on active participation, there is never a dull moment."
The TAB
M.L.K.: We Are the Dream, an original play about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, was invited to New York where it enjoyed a successful off-Broadway run at American Place Theater. The production was then telecast nationally as a syndicated television special, which won a New England Emmy Award.
"To Introduce young children to the wonder and magic of theater AND to let them participate will affect your audiences for the rest of their lives."
Elaine Garnache, Watertown Free Public Library
Produced a special tour of The History and the Adventures of Tom Thumb, targeted at families with deaf members. This innovative production used 2 American Sign Language actors and 2 speaking actors to provide full access to the audience participation opportunities during the show.
“You created a lifetime memory for a very language-delayed child. There were many misty eyes among the staff as we watched her bloom...”
Nancy Mello MacGuire, Principal
Selected to create Arthur Writes a Play, the first live-theater adaptation of Marc Brown's Arthur books. Additional Arthur plays include Arthur for President, about voting, Buster Has Asthma about asthma management, Arthur Builds a Tree House, which has since been produced throughout the United States, including New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
“All of the material here is first rate (as are the performances). They earn every cackle, chuckle and howl that erupts from the audience, but they earn its respect as well.”
The South End News
Funding for City Stage Co. has been provided by
Anonymous
John W. Alden Trust
Bank of America
The Blossom Fund
Boston Now Cultural Agenda Fund
Boston Cultural Council
Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation
John Chany Trust
The Church Home Society
Clipper Ship Foundation
Nathan Cummings Foundation
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
Frances R. Dewing Foundation
O.P. & W.E. Edwards Foundation
Jack Forte Foundation, Inc.
Orville W. Forte Charitable Foundation
The Fuller Foundation, Inc.
Green Leaf Foundation
Ann & Graham Gund
The Harmon Family Foundation
Haymarket Community Corporation
Hestia Fund
Hunt Alternatives Fund ARTWorks for Kids
Hunt Alternatives Fund of Tides Foundation
Linde Family Foundation
City of Boston- Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events
National Endowment for the Arts
Amelia Peabody Foundation
Pollard Middle School after school Comedy Theater class
Robert Perkins Fund
Rosenbaum/Steinberg Family Foundation
The Schall Family Fund
Youth in Arts Initiative of the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation
Sovereign Bank
Nathaniel & Elizabeth Stevens Foundation
Target Stores
TJX Foundation
John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation
Youth Activities Fund of the South End/Lower Roxbury Youth Workers' Alliance
The estate of Richard Clayton Young
Linda F. Zuker Memorial Youth Fund
and generous individuals
This organization is funded in part by
a state agency
Please support City Stage Co. with a tax deductible donation.
Make an easy online contribution through:
Or please make out your check to "City Stage Co., Inc." and mail it to us at 539 Tremont Street, Boston MA 02116-6306. We are grateful to all our donors for their generosity and support of our mission
City Stage Co. is a member of
City Stage Co. is a proud member of
City Stage Company's office is located in the
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