Naked Angels Ltd

NAKED ANGELS CONTINUES TO BE ANYTHING BUT CONVENTIONAL. FOR 37 YEARS, THE COMPANY HAS OPERATED AT MANY LEVELS, BIG AND SMALL. WE HAVE PROUDLY HELPED DEVELOP WORK THAT HAS GONE EVERYWHERE FROM NYC DOWNTOWN DIVES TO REGIONAL THEATERS, MAJOR OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTIONS AND EVEN BROADWAY ITSELF. YET, AT THE CORE OF IT ALL, OUR MISSION HAS BEEN AN UNYIELDING SUPPORT OF DYNAMIC STORYTELLING; WE SERVE THE WRITER AND BUILD COMMUNITY THROUGH THEATER. SINCE 2017, OUR MAIN PROGRAMMING HAS CONSISTED OF: TUESDAYS@9, A WEEKLY READING SERIES OPERATING IN FOUR CITIES NATIONWIDE-LOS ANGELES, SOUTH FLORIDA, CHICAGO, AND NYC (NOW IN ITS 32ND YEAR); 1ST MONDAYS, A READING SERIES FOR ARTISTS WITH FULL LENGTH SCRIPTS DEVELOPED AT TUESDAYS@9; AND 3T WRITING WORKSHOPS, WHICH PROVIDE CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE, AND YOUNG ADULTS FACING INCARCERATION, ALLOWING THEM TO SEE THEIR WRITTEN WORK BROUGHT TO LIFE BY PROFESSIONAL ACTORS. WE PROVIDE THESE WORKSHOPS COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE TO THE STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOLS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO AMPLIFYING NEW AND UNDERSERVED VOICES. WE PRIORITIZE REACHING MORE RACIALLY, CULTURALLY, DIFFERENTLY ABLED, AND SOCIO-ECONOMICALLY DIVERSE STUDENTS AND ARTISTS. WE ALSO WANT OUR STAFF AND BOARD TO BETTER REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY. AS OF 2019, ALL OUR CITIES NOW HAVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR TEAMS (2 TO 4 MEMBERS) WITH AT LEAST ONE BIPOC MEMBER. ZENNIE TRIEU IS OUR FIRST DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS WHO IS A WOMAN OF COLOR. ZENNIE BRINGS HER EXPERIENCE AS AN ACTOR, WRITER, AND TEACHING ARTIST. SHE ALSO BRINGS THE VERY IMPORTANT AND WELCOME PERSPECTIVE OF A GEN Z'ER. IN FEBRUARY 2020, WE WELCOMED OUR FIRST BLACK BOARD MEMBER PAUL ECKSTEIN, WHO SADLY PASSED AWAY IN JUNE 2023. WE ARE DEVASTATED BUT HOPE TO FULFILL PAUL'S MISSION TO BRING THE ARTS TO ALL, ESPECIALLY, YOUNG PEOPLE IN UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES. IN 2017, IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR TRANSITION, WE BEGAN PARTNERING WITH CULTURE FOR ONE, AN ORGANIZATION WHICH BRINGS THE ARTS TO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, TO REACH EVEN MORE UNDERSERVED STUDENTS IN NYC. CULTURE FOR ONE HAS HELPED US BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH INSTITUTIONAL FOSTER CARE SYSTEMS AND REACH OVER 1,000 CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS IN THE PAST 5 YEARS. THE MAJORITY OF THESE CHILDREN ARE FROM BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES. THE NEED FOR OUR PROGRAMS GROWS ANNUALLY. IN THE 2021|22 SCHOOL YEAR, WE BROUGHT 69 IN-PERSON 3T WORKSHOPS TO A TOTAL OF 420 YOUTHS. IN THE 2022|23 SCHOOL YEAR, THIS GREW TO 124 IN-PERSON 3T WORKSHOPS FOR 657 YOUNG PEOPLE. THE COMMUNITY NEED IS EVIDENT. WE ARE TRYING TO RECRUIT, MATCH AND TRAIN TEACHING ARTISTS AT A SUSTAINABLE SPEED. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SECURE MORE FUNDING THROUGH GRANTS, YET OUR BUDGET CONTINUES TO INCREASE TO ACCOMMODATE THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR TEACHING ARTISTS. THE GAP BETWEEN DEFINING A LIVABLE WAGE FOR TEACHING ARTISTS AND OUR CURRENT ASSETS CONTINUES TO GROW. OUR PARTNERS AT CULTURE OF ONE UNDERWRITE 75% OF THE DIRECT COSTS OF TEACHING ARTIST FEES IN THE FOSTER CARE RESIDENCES. THE BALANCE AND ALL OVERHEAD IS PAID FROM NAKED ANGELS' CONTRIBUTED INCOME SOURCES. IMPORTANTLY, WE OFFER ALL OF OUR 3T WORKSHOPS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THIS MEANS THAT NAKED ANGELS IS FULLY SUPPORTING THESE VALUABLE PROGRAMS THROUGH OUR POOL OF DONORS. THE PARTNER LOCATIONS FOR 3T CREATIVE ARTS WORKSHOPS INCLUDE: CHELSEA FOYER IS LOCATED IN MANHATTAN AND HOUSES YOUTH, AGES 18-26, WHO HAVE AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE BUT ARE NOT YET ABLE TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN. THEY ARE A THRILLING GROUP TO WORK WITH; THEIR EAGERNESS TO ENGAGE WITH THE ARTS AND ARTISTS IS MOVING AND INSPIRING. THIS PAST SUMMER WE BROUGHT A GROUP OF STUDENTS TO CLASSICAL THEATER OF HARLEM FOR DINNER AND THE PRODUCTION OF, MALVOLIO. ONE OF OUR TA'S ARRANGED FOR THE YOUTH TO MEET THE ACTORS AT THE END. AT FIRST, THE STUDENTS WERE A LITTLE STARSTRUCK, BUT THEY SOON FORGOT THEIR NERVES, ASKING QUESTIONS AND PRAISING THE ACTORS FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE. WE HOPE TO DO MORE OF THESE EXCURSIONS AS THE YOUTH LOVED THE TRIP AND IT ALSO OFFERS THEM ASSISTANCE WITH LEARNING TO NAVIGATE THE CITY. WE HAVE A WEEKLY SESSION WITH RESTART ACADEMY'S EUPHRASIAN RESIDENCE AT 337 EAST 17TH STREET. THIS IS A GROUP HOME AND DISTRICT 79 SCHOOL. THE GIRLS ARE BETWEEN 11 AND 17 YEARS OLD AND LIVE HERE FOR 3-12 MONTHS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY. THEY ARE AMONG THE MOST TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN WE WORK WITH. THEY ARE AMAZING. THERE WAS ONE GIRL WHO HAD SELECTIVE MUTISM. SHE WOULD ATTEND THE WORKSHOPS EACH WEEK BUT DID NOT PARTICIPATE. SHE FLINCHED IF WE CAME NEAR HER. DURING HER 3RD WORKSHOP, ONE TA GENTLY SAT WITH HER AND HELPED HER WRITE A SHORT SCENE. THE GIRL SPOKE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO THIS TA. HER FACE, WHEN HER PIECE WAS PERFORMED BY THE 3T TEAM OF ACTORS, WAS THE FIRST TIME THE STAFF HAD EVER SEEN HER SMILE. BY HER 4TH WORKSHOP, SHE SPOKE DURING THE ICEBREAKERS AND TOLD US HER NAME. THE STAFF AND HER PEERS WERE ASTONISHED AND THRILLED. IT WAS A PRETTY AWESOME MOMENT. IN AUGUST OF 2023, WE WERE TOLD THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSING. THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR, IRIS GRUBER, HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO EAGLE ACADEMY, A WWW.NAKEDANGELS.COM DISTRICT 79 SCHOOL AT 6 EDGECOMBE AVE IN HARLEM AND HAS ALREADY REACHED OUT TO US. ON OCT 13, 2023, WE WILL BRING 3T WORKSHOPS TO THESE NEW STUDENTS. IN MAY 2023, THE CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES ORGANIZATION SHELTERING ARMS CLOSED DUE TO SEVERE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES RESULTING FROM THE PANDEMIC. WE HAD BEEN BRINGING 3T WRITING WORKSHOPS TO ONE OF THEIR RESIDENTIAL HOMES, MCMURRAY HOUSE, FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, WHICH SERVES YOUNG MEN BETWEEN 18 AND 26 YEARS OLD. WE HOPED TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE WONDERFUL STAFF AND THEIR STUDENTS AS THEY LEFT FOR VARIOUS RESIDENCES AND AGENCIES. IN SEPTEMBER 2023, KALIEF PURRIER, THE RECREATION SPECIALIST AT SHELTERING ARMS, REACHED OUT TO TELL US THAT HE AND SEVERAL MCMURRAY HOUSE STAFF ARE NOW WORKING AT THE JEWISH BOARD. THEY ARE EAGER TO BRING OUR WORKSHOPS TO THEIR RESIDENCES. WE ARE WORKING OUT THE FINAL DETAILS AND HOPE TO BE WORKING AT THE KAPLAN HOUSE ON ST. MARKS PLACE, A HOME FOR YOUNG MEN BETWEEN 17-21 YEARS OLD. AS WE BEGAN WORKING WITH MORE YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE, THIS OLDER COHORT OF STUDENTS ENCOURAGED US TO DEVELOP EVEN MORE WORKSHOPS. THE YOUNG MEN AT THE MCMURRAY HOUSE INSPIRED US TO START AN "ART OF STORYTELLING" CLASS WITH MASTER STORYTELLER, TIM LOPEZ. WHILE THE STUDENTS AT CHELSEA FOYER ASKED FOR VOICE OVER LESSONS, WRITING COACHING, ACTING, AND SINGING LESSONS. THESE ONLINE MENTORING WORKSHOPS HAVE PROVEN TO BE INCREDIBLY BENEFICIAL FOR FOSTER YOUTH, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE YOUNG ADULTS WORKING TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE. NOT ONLY ARE THEY RECEIVING ARTISTIC MENTORING, BUT THEY ARE ALSO BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE SYSTEM AND LEARNING TIME MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE BROUGHT 19 IN-PERSON 3T WRITING WORKSHOPS TO OUTREACH HOUSE RIDGEWOOD, A DISTRICT 79 SCHOOL AND RESIDENCE, REACHING 167 STUDENTS. THIS WAS OUR FIFTH YEAR WORKING WITH THESE EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN FACING INCARCERATION. THE STAFF CONTACTED US IN EARLY SEPTEMBER HOPING WE COULD START RIGHT AWAY. THE STUDENTS ARE AMONG A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF YOUTHS WHO DID NOT ATTEND SCHOOL DURING THE PANDEMIC. THIS TWO YEAR GAP HAS PUT THEM BEHIND ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY. OUR 3T WRITING WORKSHOPS HAVE PROVEN TO BE A BRIDGE TO BRING THEM BACK TO ACADEMICS AND FIND NEW CREATIVE OUTLETS THAT ARE FUN AND SOCIALLY ENGAGING. OFTEN, THE STAFF ARE SURPRISED WHEN A STUDENT PARTICIPATES IN THE WORKSHOP. WE ONCE WORKED WITH A STUDENT WHO HAD RECENTLY BEEN DISCIPLINED FOR FIGHTING BUT BEGGED TO COME TO THE WORKSHOP. HE WAS RELUCTANT TO WRITE ANYTHING, BUT WE ASKED IF HE WANTED TO ACT. HE JUMPED AT THE CHANCE AND DID AN AMAZING JOB. THE OTHER STUDENTS STARTED ASKING HIM TO BE IN THEIR PLAYS. HE BEAMED WITH CONFIDENCE IN EVERY SCENE. WE HAVE ALSO EXPANDED INTO THE NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. PS 294, 1425 WALTON AVE, IS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THE BRONX WHERE WE LEAD 3T WRITING WORKSHOPS FOR SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH GRADERS. PS 889, 21 HINCKLEY PLACE, AND MS 61, 400 EMPIRE BLVD, ARE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN BROOKLYN. MS 61 HAS MOSTLY BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS AND A LARGE IMMIGRANT POPULATION, WHILE PS 889 IS THE MOST RACIALLY DIVERSE SCHOOL WE HAVE EVER WORKED WITH. WE'VE SEEN FIRST-HAND THE IMPACT AND STABILITY THAT THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE STUDENTS AND BELIEVE THAT EXPANSION OF THESE PROGRAMS IS CRUCIAL TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST SYSTEMS THAT KEEP YOUTH TRAPPED IN CYCLES OF ABUSE. BY BRINGING THE ARTS TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, WE CAN HELP THEM FIND THEIR VOICE AND OFFER CREATIVE OUTLETS TO HELP THEM LEAD HAPPIER, HEALTHIER LIVES. IN ORDER TO MEET THIS DEMAND, WE HAVE, AS OF SEPTEMBER 2022, BEGUN TO PAY OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR A FULL-TIME SALARY. WE HOPE TO PROVIDE MORE SUSTAINABLE SALARIES FOR OUR STAFF.