TheatreWorks Florida's acclaimed community outreach program, THEATRECARES, provides increased opportunities to those who may never have the chance to engage in the art of live performance.
The TheatreCares program was launched in 2014 when TheatreWorks Florida received an unprecedented invitation from the National Endowment for The Arts to become the Central Florida representative for their program Arts Engagement in American Communities (AEAC). The AEAC mission to ‘increase understanding by enhancing the arts experience through engagement’ aligned perfectly with TheatreWorks Florida’s community outreach vision and the inaugural TheatreCares production, Winter Wonderettes, was born. To date, TheatreCares has received EIGHT awards from the National Endowment for the Arts.
THEATRECARES OVERVIEW 2019-20: View | Download
To provide a unique outreach program that promotes accessibility and lifelong learning in the realm of the performing arts by providing full-scale theatrical experiences for audiences who are physically, emotionally, financially, socially or geographically challenged and may otherwise not have the opportunity to embrace and engage in the art of a live performance.
TheatreWorks Florida commits to enhancing their company and the communities it serves by making the very important issue of Diversity and Inclusion an integral part of their everyday operations. From unique programming for underserved communities of culture to providing resources for working, playing and learning about Diversity and Inclusion, our goal is to promote the natural development and advancement of underserved groups in the theatre arts with a harassment and bullying free environment.
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"We are fortunate to have such a wonderful institution promoting the theatrical Arts in our area. I applaud your willingness to give back to our community..."
"...continuing and supporting the Arts Access Pass program is very important for people like me to experience live performances I would otherwise not have the opportunity to be a part of."
"We are honored to have TheatreCares as part of the Davenport community and I strongly recommed support of all its programs."
WINTER WONDERETTES - WINTER 2014 - FOCUS GROUP: NURSING HOMES & ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
December 2014, TheatreCares mounted a production of Winter Wonderettes, a musical filled with 60s holiday classics, and toured the show to select nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the Central Florida region free of charge for the residents, their family members and staff of each location.
Following every performance, audiences engaged in a 20-minute interactive educational discussion with the professional cast that explored the influence of 60s music on the growth of American Musical Theatre and inspired continued participation in the performing arts. See photos below.
Supported in part by the National Endowment for The Arts.
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! - FALL 2015 - FOCUS GROUP: UNDERSERVED YOUTH
Fall of 2015, TheatreCares mounted a production of the musical Schoolhouse Rock Live!, the pop culture phenomenon that taught educational topics through song, and toured the show to select community centers in the Central Florida region free of charge for underserved youth, their family members and staff. Following every performance, audiences engaged in a 20-minute interactive educational discussion with the professional cast that explored how the music of Schoolhouse Rock Live! could educate their minds, impact their lives and inspire continued participation in the performing arts. See photos below.
Supported in part by the National Endowment for The Arts and United Arts of Central Florida.
ROCK OF AGES - FALL 2016 - FOCUS GROUP: MUSIC STUDENTS
Fall of 2016, TheatreWorks Florida mounted the Central Florida regional premiere of “Rock of Ages”, the Broadway musical phenomenon that pays tribute to the biggest rock anthems of the 1980’s. This production will play for 15 performances.
In conjunction with TheatreCares, TheatreWorks Florida’s highly successful outreach program, mini workshops were offered prior to select shows for music students in the surrounding Central Florida region. These workshops explored the basic building blocks of classical music and demonstrate the connection to all music, including rock and roll.
Following the workshops, students were able to attend the show for 50% off a normal ticket price. After the performance, students attended a special interactive educational discussion with the professional cast to explore how the music of “Rock of Ages” could educate their minds, impact their lives and inspire continued participation in the performing arts. See photos below.
Supported in part by the National Endowment for The Arts.
VET VOICES - FALL 2018-2020 - FOCUS GROUP: MILITARY VETERANS
Fall of 2018 to Spring 2020, TheatreCares began an incredible 2-year journey called Vet Voices that provided military war veterans an opportunity for positive self-awareness and self-discovery in a creative “safe space” environment. This ongoing "arts and health” program nurtured life-long healing and learning through the art of music and live theatre. The program consisted of workshops and events that allowed veterans affected by war to explore the theatre arts and ultimately find healing through creativity. The end result combined theatre professionals with veterans on stage in a fully produced, original musical play called Breakfast in Baghdad, developed by the veterans themselves. The play incorporated creative writing, music, songs and visual art generated from the workshops. It was presented to the Central Florida public in a continued effort to create an awareness of our war-time veterans and the health issues they deal with on a daily basis as well as how they adapt to normalizing their lives after war. Unfortunately, the 2nd season of Vet Voices was interrupted and canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic. The vets had created all new monolgoues and original songs but the material was never performed. We miss them all very much and hope to begin the program again someday.
A special COVID-19 video message from our vets is below.
"You don't understand how great this was. One of our residents, who hasn't spoken a word in 4 years or interacted with anyone any longer, broke out clapping and saying 'You 4 girls! You 4 girls!'. My whole staff was crying with joy and amazed how this affected our residents."
"It is not everyday that an organization takes the time to meet with our residents to improve the quality of their life on an individual level. Part of our 'Quality of Life' program is to keep our residents involved in our community through special events. We are grateful for your effort in helping us meet this challenge."
"The evening was wonderful, the music perfect and the show was entertaining. This event gave us the opportunity to make happy memories for our residents and their families, and for that we are truly thankful."
“Families in attendance raved about the experience. Whether due to access or financial limitations, most had not been to a theater production of any kind as a family. The benefits of exposure to the arts is endless. When a production is done in this quality manner and is brought to an underserved neighborhood the entire community wins!”
“It is with great enthusiasm that the Garden Theatre relay its support of TheatreWorks Florida’s TheatreCares program. The TheatreCares production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! this past September was a testament to the incredible difference this program is making on our community.”
“Schoolhouse Rock Live! was an awesome free event… The kids had a blast and were very active in participating, not only are the kids learning the message presented, but the cast made the kids feel comfortable enough to bravely stand up in front of everyone to dance and sing.”
“This program was amazing! My children were riveted from the moment they entered the studio until we got home. Not only was the music outstanding but my kids learned about the technical aspect of putting on a show and what goes into a shows production. They had no idea about the complexities of the equipment that makes everything happen and what appears to be so easy on stage, really takes a team of people working together. This program was worth its weight in gold to us!”
“My students thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on experience of operating the sound, light and video equipment as the band from ‘Rock Of Ages” performed several songs from the show. For many of the students, it was their first opportunity to encounter a professional recording studio. Several of the students have begun pursuing their new interest in theater technology based on what they experienced on this field trip. Thanks so much for making it possible!”
“The Rock of Ages Experience, offered by TheatreWorks Florida and Full Sail University, was a free, unique experience offered to the Orlando community that was not available to someone like myself when I was young. It allowed my pre-teen son to experience what goes on behind the scenes both in a live, concert environment and during a televised event first-hand. This opportunity allowed him to experience the entertainment world in a way he might never have been able to. Outstanding job!”
ADDRESS
OFFICE/BUSINESS MAIL:
8 E. Cypress St.
Davenport, FL 33837
CONTACT
Email: theatreworksfl@gmail.com
Phone: 407.340.0472
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