Organized by Downstage Arts Corp
Downstage Arts Teen Cohort 2021-2022
ABOUT DOWNSTAGE ARTS
Founded in January of 2020, Downstage Arts is a new nonprofit, dedicated to creating bridges over barriers for young people to pursue full time futures in the arts. From classes to year-long programs, our teaching artists work to give youth in Chicago the tools and mentorship they need to have the performing arts career of their dreams. We do this by hiring professional, working artists to work with our students, who receive everything free of charge.
WHAT WE ARE FUNDRAISING FOR
One of the first programs we launched at Downstage Arts was our Teen Cohort: a free ten-month program for high school juniors and seniors who wish to pursue higher education in the performing arts. This program walks students through the college audition and application process, from research to decision day. In addition to mentorship in the college application process, every cohort member receives monologue and song coaching, weekly acting or singing lessons, guidance on choosing programs that fit their needs, workshops with professional actors, and conversations with college programs throughout the country. Our program has placed one hundred percent of its graduates in their top-five schools, and we need your help to keep going this next semester.
WHAT YOUR DONATION GOES TO
Donations to this campaign support our fight for economic equality in the arts. Each donation goes towards:
-Supporting our teaching artists, each paid a minimum of $25/hour to mentor & teach our students
-Paying for audition or application fees for students who need support
-Scripts, sheet music and other materials the students need.
-Travel support for youth to get to lessons or meetings.
We know there are countless organizations and campaigns to donate to right now. As a new nonprofit, any donation helps, and we appreciate your belief in us and the future artists of our world.
WHAT PAST COHORT MEMBERS SAY
“[When you’re applying to colleges] I would doubt myself, ‘Am I good enough to do this,’ But [Downstage Arts] is a space where you are able to make mistakes, ask questions, and in the process become more confident.” - Maddie, class of ‘21
“I needed help navigating through the [college application and audition] process: the process is so stressful, every school has different requirements, and Downstage Arts helped me navigate that. The Teen Cohort gave me the skills for how to prepare for auditions, how to research and select material for monologues.” - Gigi, Class of 21
“It was always so clear how much the instructors cared. When I interviewed for the program, I remember them asking what schools I was interested in, what I needed help with, etc. and throughout the whole program they would always reference what I said. I knew I wasn’t getting generalized help, but instead, really specific mentorship to guide me through the process. They were listening to get me exactly what I needed.”- Abbie, class of ‘21
Founded in January of 2020, Downstage Arts is a new nonprofit, dedicated to creating bridges over barriers for young people to pursue full time futures in the arts. From classes to year-long programs, our teaching artists work to give youth in Chicago the tools and mentorship they need to have the performing arts career of their dreams. We do this by hiring professional, working artists to work with our students, who receive everything free of charge.
WHAT WE ARE FUNDRAISING FOR
One of the first programs we launched at Downstage Arts was our Teen Cohort: a free ten-month program for high school juniors and seniors who wish to pursue higher education in the performing arts. This program walks students through the college audition and application process, from research to decision day. In addition to mentorship in the college application process, every cohort member receives monologue and song coaching, weekly acting or singing lessons, guidance on choosing programs that fit their needs, workshops with professional actors, and conversations with college programs throughout the country. Our program has placed one hundred percent of its graduates in their top-five schools, and we need your help to keep going this next semester.
WHAT YOUR DONATION GOES TO
Donations to this campaign support our fight for economic equality in the arts. Each donation goes towards:
-Supporting our teaching artists, each paid a minimum of $25/hour to mentor & teach our students
-Paying for audition or application fees for students who need support
-Scripts, sheet music and other materials the students need.
-Travel support for youth to get to lessons or meetings.
We know there are countless organizations and campaigns to donate to right now. As a new nonprofit, any donation helps, and we appreciate your belief in us and the future artists of our world.
WHAT PAST COHORT MEMBERS SAY
“[When you’re applying to colleges] I would doubt myself, ‘Am I good enough to do this,’ But [Downstage Arts] is a space where you are able to make mistakes, ask questions, and in the process become more confident.” - Maddie, class of ‘21
“I needed help navigating through the [college application and audition] process: the process is so stressful, every school has different requirements, and Downstage Arts helped me navigate that. The Teen Cohort gave me the skills for how to prepare for auditions, how to research and select material for monologues.” - Gigi, Class of 21
“It was always so clear how much the instructors cared. When I interviewed for the program, I remember them asking what schools I was interested in, what I needed help with, etc. and throughout the whole program they would always reference what I said. I knew I wasn’t getting generalized help, but instead, really specific mentorship to guide me through the process. They were listening to get me exactly what I needed.”- Abbie, class of ‘21
Cohort Class 2021-2022
Read about us here: https://www.downstagearts.org/
Contact us: [email redacted]
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