Our staff has provided answers to the most frequently asked questions from:
Youth
- How can I participate in a Will Power or Play On! program?
- All participants in our youth programs are between 14 – 21 years old. Because our youth programs are often invited into different communities, some sessions require participants to live in a specific geographic area.
To participate in Will to Lead or Will to Work, fill out this form or call Marcela Robles at (213) 481-2273 ext.13. - How do I apply?
- Just request an application!
- I don’t meet the requirements. Are there other ways I can get involved?
- We would be happy to take your contact information and keep you informed of any upcoming events (including including field trips and tutoring) as well as any future opportunities.
- What times of year do the Will Power and Play On! programs take place?
- Our program schedule varies, but our sessions are often scheduled during LAUSD B-track intersessions or during traditional summer breaks. Please contact us here for more information.
- I did Will Power to Youth. Can I come back?
- Absolutely! If you haven't already, make sure we have your updated contact information, we'll give you any upcoming information about our youth leadership program and other opportunities to return to Will Power. We miss you, too.
- I have a friend in a Will Power program. Can I get in too?
- Sure; if you know someone interested in any of our programs, request an application and include your friend’s name in the comments.
- Are there other programs you can recommend?
- There are many great programs in Los Angeles. Click here for a brief list.
- Can I come see a Will Power performance or Play On! event?
- Sure! All our performances are free and open to the public.
For each Will Power show, we typically have two matinee performances on weekdays and two evening performances on a weekend. The Play On! event usually occurs the last day of program. More details can be found on our Will Power or Play On! program pages.
To get on our mailing list for future performances, please sign up!
Educators
- I have a student I would like to refer to a Will Power program. What are the requirements?
- All participants in our youth programs are between 14 – 21 years old. Because our youth programs are often invited into different communities, some sessions require participants to live in a specific geographic area.
To participate in Will to Lead or Will to Work, fill out this form or call Marcela Robles at (213) 481-2273 ext.13. - Can I help students apply? How?
- We always appreciate teachers who spread the word to eligible students! To receive Will Power to Youth applications, please contact us or call Marina Oliva at (213) 481-2273 at ext. 15.
- I would like to take my classes to a Will Power performance. How can I sign them up?
- Sure! All our performances are free and open to the public.
For each Will Power show, we typically have two matinee performances on weekdays and two evening performances on a weekend. The Play On! event usually occurs the last day of program. More details can be found on our Will Power or Play On! program pages.
To get on our mailing list for future performances, please sign up! - What and when are your opportunities for teacher professional development?
- Our Will Power to Schools program offers exciting learning opportunities for teachers.
Each session (typically two full days over two weeks) connect to our professional Summer Festival production and help teachers prepare their students to experience the play.
Leading scholars and professional artists lead academic and experiential explorations of Shakespeare’s work. Participating teachers receive classroom sets of the play as well as free tickets and transportation to see the show.
For more details, please contact us or call Marina Oliva at (213) 481-2273 at ext. 15. - Do you have any curricula available? Can I download some online?
- We're getting close to having program materials available to download; until then, please contact us or call Marina Oliva at (213) 481-2273 at ext. 15.
- Can I sign up to be notified via email about upcoming events/opportunities for educators?
- Yes, you can sign up here! We're also looking to expand our services, so feel free to let us know what activities would interest you the most.
Artists
- Do you need teachers or mentors for your Will Power programs? How can I get involved?
- We are happy to meet new teaching artists. Please send a resume and cover letter to Chris Anthony detailing your experience working with youth. If you are new to the field, please state your reasons for wanting to work in community-based theater.
- Do you offer professional development for artists? How can I get involved?
- Our Youth Arts Professionals Institute has occasional workshops and seminars in addition to internships with the Will Power to Youth program. Recent seminars include Youth Arts Basics and Conflict Resolution and Facilitation Skills for Artists.
The Will Power to Youth training program gives artists comprehensive training in Will Power to Youth philosophy and methodologies.
If you are interested in bringing Will Power to Youth to your classroom, university, theater company or community-based organization, please contact us using our online form. - Are there any volunteer opportunities available for artists at SFLA?
- We do have opportunities for volunteers from time to time. For further information, please contact us using our online form.
Community Members
- How did the Will Power programs get started?
- In the aftermath of the 1992 civil unrest in Los Angeles, Shakespeare Festival/LA (SF/LA) was approached by civic leaders and philanthropic foundations to help address the needs of at-risk youth. SF/LA was selected to be part of the City of Los Angeles’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which enabled us to create an employment-based arts program and allowed us to meet one of the most basic needs of urban youth—jobs. Since then, WPY has served hundreds of Los Angeles area youth. WPY was developed in cooperation with the National Conference for Community and Justice, which is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting racism, bigotry and bias in America. Each year, the mix of theater arts and human relations has been reshaped to meet the urgent, vital needs of our youth. Our permanent downtown space allowed us to expand our offerings. Will to Lead, Will to Work and Play On are all extensions of the original Will Power to Youth program that offer greater support to young people in our community.
- How many youth do they serve a year?
- Between 20-30 new youth enter the Will Power programs at Shakespeare Festival/LA each year. We believe in staying in touch with our youth participants for at least a year, longer if possible. As a result, we have about 150 youth who receive follow-up contact and are eligible to receive further services including tutoring, counseling, field trips, leadership development, and professional internships.
- How can you tell that Will Power helps youth?
- After 14 years of working in the community, our youth speak of great transformations in their lives. Furthermore, we have pre- and post-program evaluations that track youth outcomes in academics, work readiness, human relations and art. These evaluations consistently show that our participants grow in their understanding of these key learnings and, most importantly, in their understanding of themselves.
The high school graduation rate at neighboring schools hovers between 35-55%. Will Power to Youth participants have about a 95% graduation rate. Graduation rate statistics are controversial. However, students report to us that they feel more confident in academic settings after Will Power to Youth and they have a stronger vision of post-secondary education after completing the program. - I know a child I would like to refer to a Will Power program. How can I find out if they are eligible?
- For the latest eligibility requirements, please contact us using our online form.
- Do the Will Power programs have an impact outside L.A.?
- In 2007, Will Power to Youth served teenagers in Richmond, Virginia, and future plans are in place to replicate the program in more U.S. cities.
On a more personal level, several Will Power alumni have attended colleges throughout California and the United States. The contribution that these young people make to their colleges, local communities and families is immeasurable. - Can we be notified via email of upcoming events/opportunities at SFLA?
- Absolutely. Please leave us your contact information using our online form and we will email information to you. Thank you.
Sponsors
- How did the Will Power programs get started?
- In the aftermath of the 1992 civil unrest in Los Angeles, Shakespeare Festival/LA (SFLA) was approached by civic leaders and philanthropic foundations to help address the needs of at-risk youth. SFLA was selected to be part of the City of Los Angeles’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which enabled us to create an employment-based arts program and allowed us to meet one of the most basic needs of urban youth—jobs. Since then, WPY has served hundreds of Los Angeles area youth. WPY was developed in cooperation with the National Conference for Community and Justice, which is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting racism, bigotry and bias in America. Each year, the mix of theater arts and human relations has been reshaped to meet the urgent, vital needs of our youth. Our permanent downtown space allowed us to expand our offerings. Will to Lead, Will to Work and Play On are all extensions of the original Will Power to Youth program that offer greater support to young people in our community.
In 2005, the National Endowment for the Arts and the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention entered into an inter-agency agreement that expresses an intention to identify sources of funding to enable Shakespeare Festival/LA to replicate WPY in the Department of Justice’s Gang Reduction Programs throughout the nation. Likewise in 2005, First Lady Laura Bush invited Will Power to Youth to participate in the White House Conference on Helping America’s Youth at Howard University (visit www.helpingamericasyouth.com). In 2003, the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities presented WPY with the prestigious Coming Up Taller Award, presented at a White House ceremony, which was followed by a WPY performance in the U.S. Capitol for senators and congressional leaders. WPY was also, chosen as one of the Governor’s Exemplary Youth Programs for the State of California, received the National Council on Crime and Delinquency’s New American Community Award and a special certificate of recognition from Los Angeles City Council. In 2001, the National Youth Employment Coalition’s best practices coalition called the Promising and Effective Practices Network (PEPnet), designated Will Power to Youth an official “Promising Program.” - How many youth do they serve a year?
- Between 20-60 young people enter our programs each year. They join about 150 past participants who receive follow-up contact and other services through the Youth & Education department.
- Do Will Power participants perform measurably better in school than their non-Will-Power peers?
- The high school graduation rate at neighboring schools hovers between 35-55%. Will Power to Youth participants have about a 95% graduation rate. Graduation rate statistics are controversial. However, students report to us that they feel more confident in academic settings after Will Power to Youth and they have a stronger vision of post-secondary education after completing the program.
Furthermore, we have pre- and post-program evaluations that track youth outcomes in academics, work readiness, human relations and art over the course of Will Power to Youth. These evaluations consistently show that our participants grow in their understanding of these key learnings and, most importantly, in their understanding of themselves. - What are some creative ways we could help sponsor a Will Power program?
- As a theater organization, we welcome creativity in all forms. There are opportunities to sponsor everything from the general program as a whole, to wages for youth from a particular school or an individual student, to meals (dinner for students prior to evening performances or post-show receptions for families).
Please contact Chris Anthony with your creative idea at 213 481-2273 x 16 or click here for greater possibilities. - Do you need in-kind donations? If so, what?
- We welcome books for our library (Shakespeare-themed or not), percussion instruments, and distinctive costume pieces that evoke a particular era.
- Could we attend a Will Power performance? How do we sign up to go?
- Will Power to Youth offers two matinee performances at 10 a.m. on weekdays and two evening performances at 7 p.m. on a weekend for each Will Power session. To receive information about future performances, please leave your contact information here.
- Can we be notified via email of upcoming events/opportunities at SFLA?
- Certainly. Please leave your information using our online form and we will be happy to contact you with program information.