SECONDARY THEATRE ARTS INITIATIVE

Helped are those who create anything at all, for they shall relive the thrill of their own conception and realize a partnership in the creation of the Universe that keeps them responsible and cheerful.
– Alice Walker (author of The Color Purple)

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In September 2009, Ramón C. Cortines School for the Visual and Performing Arts, a state of the art public school focusing on visual and performing arts, opened its doors to its first class of students.  Center Theatre Group, in collaboration with other local arts organizations, supports our new neighbor by strengthening the arts education offered at middle schools feeding into the new arts high school.  CTG works with three of our long-term partner schools – Berendo Middle School, Virgil Middle School, and Liechty Middle School – in an effort to build each school’s capacity to provide students with theatre instruction, provide support for theatre teachers, and prepare students for the opportunity to enroll in Cortines School.  This initiative is one component CTG is contributing as part of a larger inter-organizational effort to strengthen arts education in Downtown Los Angeles.  The planning team for this effort is called the Grand Avenue Partners (GAP).

Grand Avenue Partners

GAP is a coalition of institutions who share interest in engaging the community in arts, cultural, and educational opportunities along Grand Avenue, between Cesar Chavez and Sixth Street.  GAP organizations, each according to its own mission, serve the diverse Los Angeles area public at large through programming at their Grand Avenue venues, in schools, and at other sites.  GAP goals include to collectively collaborate with educational institutions, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, to provide resources for school programs.

GAP Participants:
Music Center
Center Theatre Group
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Los Angeles Opera
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Museum of Contemporary Art
Colburn School
California Institute for Arts/Community Arts Partnership/REDCAT Theatre
Grand Performances
Los Angeles Central Library
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels 

Ramón C. Cortines School for the Visual and Performing Arts College/Career Day

On Thursday, April 22nd, Center Theatre Group took part in Cortines School's very first College/Career Day.  Six members of CTG's staff from various departments including Education, Marketing, Development, Information Systems, Production and Finance joined over 100 other presenters, and approximately 1,100 students, in providing insight on their career field including benefits and drawbacks, skills required and pathways into their occupation.  During the lunch hour, presenters were treated to live musical acts performed by the students. 

Photo Credits:

Main Image: Ramón C. Cortines School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Photo by Center Theatre Group.

Lower Images: Ramón C. Cortines School for the Visual and Performing Arts.  Photos by Center Theatre Group.