Anthony Ramos, Phylicia Rashad, Jesse Eisenberg and More Take Part in #WhatTheaterMeansToMe

 

From May 5th to June 8th, Drama Club -a nonprofit that provides theater programming and mentorship to youth who are incarcerated-will host the #WhatTheaterMeansToMe social media campaign featuring support from Hollywood actors such as Tony Award winner and Emmy Award nominated, Phylicia Rashad, (The Cosby Show, A Raisin In The Sun), Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner and Oscar nominee, Paul Giamatti (Billions, John Adams, Barney's Version), Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story), Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Zombieland), Golden Globe Winner, Corey Stoll (House of Cards, AntMan), Anthony Ramos (In The Heights, Hamilton, A Star Is Born), André Holland (Moonlight, Selma) Susan Kelechi Watson (This Is Us, A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood), Maggie Siff (Billions, Sons of Anarchy, MadMen), Pauletta Washington (She's Gotta Have It), Asia Kate Dillon (Billions, Orange Is The New Black), and Michele Selena Ang (13 Reasons Why). More names to be announced soon.

To drive awareness about the impact theater can make in young lives, notable stars of stage and screen will share their stories via Drama Club's social media platforms from May 5th to June 8th. The campaign strives to drive donations in support of the hundreds of young people Drama Club mentors while providing arts programming within incarcerated spaces such as Crossroads Juvenile Facility, Horizon Juvenile Facility, and Rikers Island as well as in communities disproportionately impacted by mass incarceration.

Participants are encouraged to share their own story and engage with the campaign's content via the hashtag #WhatTheaterMeansToMe on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to help New York City's most vulnerable youth continue to have access to transformative arts programming.

The campaign’s launch is in coordination with the national #GivingTuesdayNOW effort to encourage gifts to nonprofits impacted by the current crisis. COVID-19 puts incarcerated populations and staff at higher risk. This digital initiative is replacing Drama Club’s annual benefit -- which has since been canceled due to the crisis.

“Even when not in the midst of a pandemic, our young people are extremely vulnerable. This crisis has compounded the many insecurities our students must cope with on a daily basis,” said Josie Whittlesey, Drama Club’s Founder and Executive Director. “For our students who are incarcerated, they are facing infection rates 7 times higher than typical New Yorkers, while their daily programs are reduced.” 

Alarmingly, COVID-19 has been growing within the criminal justice system in places such as Rikers Island, Crossroads, and Horizon Correction Facility and across the state. Josie continued, “For our young people in the community, their safety net has become more frayed, as various resources they rely on have been forced to scale back staffing, and the shifts in the economy put them in a state of deepened financial insecurity.”

Susan Kelechi Watson, a member of Drama Club’s Board of Directors and a star of This Is Us and A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood, shares, “It’s so essential for young people to find something that helps develop a sense of belonging, friendships, as well as life skills. I know for me that was theater.” Performing arts connected Ms. Watson to valuable mentors which she attributes to impacting the trajectory of her life. She continues, “The talents and relationships I developed through drama empowered me, encouraged me, and nurtured my identity.”

Maggie Siff, a member of Drama Club’s Board of Directors and star of Billions, shares, “Theater not only helps young people express their emotions in a healthy way, but it also sparks transformative relationships that help them thrive. That’s at the core of what we do. As an organization we believe that no matter anyone’s circumstance, everyone should have the right to play; everyone deserves a drama club.”

Consider contributing to ensure that Drama Club’s youth can continue to connect to consistent mentorship, access to a hot meal, and an artistic support network. Donations can be made online at www.dramaclubnyc.org/donate.