Creative Action Names New Board Members

Creative Action Welcomes New Board Members

Creative Action, formerly Theatre Action Project, an Austin area nonprofit arts organization recently named new members Amy Averett and Monica Gill to their board of directors.




Amy Averett, Director, Private and Community Events, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
 
Amy attended Rice University as an undergraduate and holds Master Degrees in Nonprofit Management and Community Organizing from the University of Pittsburgh. After a fifteen-year career in the nonprofit sector with a focus on public education, she joined the staff of the Alamo Drafthouse as Community Relations Coordinator. She now directs the Private and Community Events department for all Alamo markets.


Monica Gill, Director of Client Services, Bridgepoint Consulting


Monica moved to Austin in 1994, joining Schlotzsky’s, Inc. just prior to their initial public offering, and later becoming CFO of the company. Subsequently, Monica has served as the CFO for a couple of small privately held companies here in Austin. In 2008, Monica joined Bridgepoint Consulting as their Director of Client Services. Monica manages the firm’s team of consulting professionals, and works directly with the firm’s clients in identifying their resource needs. Monica received her BBA from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a Texas CPA.





About our new name: Theatre Action Project, the Austin, Texas arts education nonprofit announced a rebranding campaign in September taking the new name for the organization, Creative Action. The organization began in 1997 as a violence prevention project conducted by University of Texas graduate students in the Drama and Theatre for Youth Program at UT and became a nonprofit organization in 2001.




Creative Action sparks and supports the academic, social and emotional development of young people. Through interactive classroom performances, after school residencies and community based programs, Creative Action's team of professional teaching artists inspire youth to be creative artists, courageous allies, critical thinkers and confident leaders in their community.

inspiring young minds through the arts

www.creativeaction.org

Upcoming: I Spy Pie! fundraiser for Creative Action (Theatre Action Project), Central Market North, October 20

Creative Action (formerly Theatre Action Project)

invites you to

I Spy Pie!

Central Market North, 4001 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78756

Saturday, October 20th 12 noon to 3 p.m.

I Spy Pie! is the latest spectacle of delicious treats and arts brought to Central Market North by Creative Action and sponsor H.E.B. The fun family event includes games, crafts, face painting, and, live music from the Emmy Award winning The Biscuit Brothers and Jungle Jill and the Jay Birds. The delicious pie tastings and competition feature some of Austin’s finest bakeries including Central Market Bakery, Central Market Cooking School, Jeffrey’s and Texas Pie Kitchen. This year celebrity pie judges are Jim Swift (KXAN-TV), actress Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (Fletch and Friday Night Lights), and Nina Seely (Trento Restaurant). Pie-tasting tickets are $5 giving attendees the opportunity to taste all pie entries, as well as a vote for their favorite entry. For more info email: maryalice@theatreactionproject.org

(Click to return to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Theatre Action Project Rebrands: Creative Action

[received September 12]

Creative Action Emerges with Rebranding of Theatre Action Project

 

Theatre Action Project, the Austin, Texas arts education nonprofit today announced a rebranding campaign including taking the new name for the organization, Creative Action. The organization began in 1997 as a violence prevention project conducted by University of Texas graduate students in the Drama and Theatre for Youth Program at UT and became a nonprofit organization in 2001. With today’s announcement, Executive Director Karen LaShelle shared the decision behind the rebranding:

Over the past fifteen years we have been busy. Really busy. We (a team of artists, educators and youth development professionals) have tirelessly dedicated ourselves to using our creative skills to engage and educate thousands (close to 100,000!) of young people. We have grown from a handful of volunteers into one of the largest arts organization in Austin, employing more than 60 artists every year. Last spring we were named one of the top 50 arts education organizations in the nation by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Our programs are in seven local school districts each week.

Our ultimate goal is, and always will be, to provide unique experiences and opportunities that give youth the skills they need to improve their own lives and the world around them. As those of you that know us well can attest, we never set out to make youth into thespians; we simply know that using theatre and dramatic role-play to teach young people really hooks them in a special way.

As we have evolved to best meet the needs of Central Texas youth, we have continued to innovate and find even more ways to engage and spark the hearts and minds of kids. So, what began as a program mostly using theatre, role-play, and drama, has become something much more expansive. Today, we employ a host of creative arts, including film, dance, music, visual art, media arts, and whatever other random acts of creativity the moment calls for to help us meet our mission. And the name, Theatre Action Project, just doesn't describe what we do anymore.

Today, we are happy to announce our new name: Creative Action. This new name reflects our dedication to using a variety of creative art forms to carry out our mission: to activate the academic, social and emotional development of young people. We will still provide our acclaimed interactive classroom performances, after school arts residencies, and community-based youth theatre programs to inspire youth to be creative artists, courageous allies, critical thinkers, and confident leaders in their community. We just have a better name to describe what we are all about!

We are excited to share this new development with you, and thank you for your support as we move forward!

 

Creative Action serves 16,000 youth annually in six area school districts. The organization is the largest provider of arts education programs in the Central Texas area.

Creative Action uses the creative arts to activate the academic, social and emotional development of young people. Through interactive classroom performances, after school residencies and community based programs, Creative Action's team of professional teaching artists inspire youth to be creative artists, courageous allies, critical thinkers and confident leaders in their community.

Inspiring young minds through the arts.

www.creativeaction.org

[AustinLiveTheatre note: website www.austintheatreproject.org is still on-line, while the new URL is not yet active]

Theatre Action Project Receives $103,400 Grant to Work with Incarcerated Youth

Theatre Action Project Awarded $103,400 Grant from

Impact Austin to Support Program for Incarcerated Youth

This week Theatre Action Project (TAP) was awarded a $103,400 grant by Impact Austin. The grant will fund Theatre Action Project’s New Stages Youth Theatre Ensemble for students between the ages of 14 and 20 who have been released from the juvenile detention system. Impact Austin is a charity which combines annual donations from its members and gives multiple grants each June to local nonprofit organizations. The New Stages Youth Ensemble, which begins in September, will work together to create original plays about their experiences and will tour their shows and perform for more than 2,000 Austin area youth at schools and churches annually. A social worker will be a part of the program which will meet twice weekly at a halfway house. Youth members of the New Stages Youth Ensemble will receive compensation for their creative work with the program.

Ena Brant, Casework Manager with the Gardner Betts Juvenile Detention Center, talked about the goals for the New Stages. “The program will offer critical services to youth who have been released from our residential facility as they develop their skills in self-expression, learn to work as a productive member of an ensemble, and learn to use their experiences and imaginations to positively affect their community.

A check presentation to Theatre Action Project will take place Monday, June 18 at 9 a.m. at Theatre Action Project offices 701 Tillery, Suite A14, Austin, TX 78702.
 
About Theatre Action Project: Theatre Action Project uses the creative arts to activate the academic, social and emotional development of young people. Through interactive classroom performances, after school residencies and community based programs, TAP's team of professional teaching artists inspire youth to be creative artists, courageous allies, critical thinkers and confident leaders in their community.

About Impact Austin: Impact Austin is a 501(c)(3) public charity made up of women seeking to transform lives in the Austin area through high-impact and lifelong giving. The only membership requirements are to be female and donate $1,000 each year. Impact Austin combines the annual donations from members and gives large grants each year to local worthy causes selected by the members. Grant applications are accepted in each of the following focus areas: culture, environment, education, family, and health and wellness. Collectively, we are changing the face of philanthropy in Austin www.impact-austin.org.
 

- Creative arts and education for social change -

www.theatreactionproject.org

Upcoming: Fifth Annual Theatre Action Project Youth Arts Festival, Boyd Vance Theatre, May 12

presents

The 5th Annual Theatre Action Project Youth Arts Festival

Saturday, May 12, 2 - 5 p.m.

Boyd Vance Theatre, George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina (click for map)

Admission is Free

Theatre Action Project’s 5th annual Youth Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, May 12th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Boyd Vance Theatre at the George Washington Carver Museum. Vampires and Classic Opera Inspire Teen Performances at this year's TAP's Youth Arts Festival. This year’s festival will feature work by more than 100 students from 12 middle schools in 4 school districts from the Austin area. Festival hosts and keynote performers will be from the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble (CLYTE). CLYTE is done in partnership with Theatre Action Project and SafePlace. The festival line up represents a broad spectrum of creativity from the region’s youth, from a movie about vampires, a digital story inspired by a classic opera, a mural created to inspire a school community, to a play about the voices that try to control our choices. In addition, TAP will be presenting its inaugural Shining Light Awards.

Schools featured at this year’s festival include Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Bastrop Middle School, Burnet Middle School, Cedar Creek High School, Cedar Creek Intermediate School, Del Valle Middle School, Dobie Middle School, Garcia Middle School, Manor High School, Mendez Middle School, Ojeda Middle School, and Webb Middle School.

The Youth Arts Festival takes place at the Boyd Vance Theatre at the George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina Street Austin, TX 78702. Admission is Free. For more information, visit www.theatreactionproject.org, or call: 512- 442-8773.

Classes: Theatre Action Project, spring break and summer 2012

Theatre Action Project has a few spots still open for 2012 Spring Break Creativity Camp!

Theatre Action Project, Austin's premiere arts and education organization, is hosting Spring Break Creativity Camp at Trinity United Methodist Church, centrally located in Hyde Park at 4001 Speedway. March 12th - 16th, Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 4:30pm. For ages 5 - 12.The theme of this year's Spring Break Creativity Camp is TAP TV! Campers will produce their own television network. TAP TV is a different kind of network - one that is socially responsible and empowers the youth of today! Our campers will work together on creative projects including: music videos, short films, public service announcements and news segments that inspire youth to make the world a better place. We invite friends and family to the network launch on Friday afternoon. Cost is $235 per week, with extended care available. Online registration and more info available at: http://www.theatreactionproject.org/prog_com_camps.html.

Also now enrolling for Summer Camp - 8 exciting weeks of camp hosted at Trinity United Methodist Church. June 11 - August 10th!

"My child loved the staff, the friends she made, all of it. She doesn't want to come home!" - Parent of 2011 Camper

"I loved the low staff/student ratio and commitment to real learning." - Parent of 2011 Camper

"My child looked forward to coming every day. So in my eyes, your program deserves an A+" - Parent of 2011 Camper

For questions write to Camp@theatreactionproject.org or 512-442-8773.

Video and Culturemap Feature: Changing Lives Youth Ensemble, Theatre Action Project, Austin

Feature published by www.austin.culturemap.com, November 28:

This youth theater is Changing Lives

Advice crafted for and by teens, onstage at a school near you

By Erica Lies, 11.28.11

Early on a recent Saturday morning, eight students from the Changing Lives Youth Theater Ensemble performed at the We Are Girls conference in an Austin High classroom packed with middle school girls. One by one, the actors stepped into the spotlight to introduce their characters.

"Just because I'm a slut doesn't mean I don't deserve respect."

"Just because I'm into academics doesn't mean I don't know how to have fun." The honest, frank language is characteristic of a Changing Lives show.

A joint program of Theatre Action Project and Safe Place, CLYTE is a theatre arts program comprised of paid 14-18 year old actors who tour to middle schools and community events in Central Texas, presenting original plays focused on teen social issues like bullying and relationship violence.

A documentary feature on Changing Lives by Sean Schiavolin and Christopher Morse for inCONTEXT (12 min., 40 sec.) :

[Apple users: can't see the video? Click to go to YouTube]

[ . . . . ] A number of initiatives and media campaigns to draw attention to the detrimental effects of bullying have sprung up in recent years, but most focus only on the bully and the target, turning primarily to adults to stop the harassment. Changing Lives, however, employs a unique model that uses theater to teach kids strategies for interrupting destructive patterns.

The ensemble spends a semester conceiving of and writing a play with the help of TAP and Safe Place program directors, Nitra Gutierrez and Susie Gidseg. Beginning with image-based games and exercises from Theatre of the Oppressed, the ensemble often shows a problem and then a moment of intervention where that problem can either be solved or exacerbated. [ . . .]

Click to read more at www.austin.culturemap.com . . . .

Opportunity for Teaching, Theatre Action Project

Found on-line:

Have a Direct Impact on Austin Area Youth: Join the Tap Team

by Patrick Torres, Middle School and High School Program Director

Theatre Action Project (TAP) is seeking artists to join us in helping students see the arts as a tool for social change! We are a team of professionally trained artists and educators that work in partnership with school communities to lead unique and engaging arts programs which allow young people to learn critical life skills, gain tools for creative expression and have successful experiences that build self-esteem and confidence.

We are currently seeking Teaching Artists for the 2011-2012 school year to work with Austin area youth in our TAP After School programming for grades pre-K – 1h.

Applicants must have professional artistic experience and demonstrate a genuine interest in arts education. Teaching Artists (TAs) at TAP must be highly creative, energetic, enthusiastic team players with experience in writing curriculum. All TAs are hired as part-time employees for the duration of the school year, August – June. TAs are expected to have general availability between the hours of 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM Monday – Friday, although specific schedules will be determined according to school placements. TAs must be available for training starting August 22.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in this position please email your CV or resume to patrick@theatreactionproject.org no later than July 31, 2011.

If you love TAP, but don’t feel qualified to teach or just can’t find time in your busy schedule to work in our after school programs, YOU CAN STILL HELP, just:

• Forward this notice to any one who you believe might make a good addition to our team.

• Volunteer to help us get ready for the start of our fall programming.

• Make a donation to us to ensure we can continue to bring high quality arts programming to the area’s youth!

• Come to our events to see the work of our city’s talented youth!

Auditions for Changing Lives Summer Youth Ensemble, Theatre Action Project, May 23

Found at the blog for Theatre Action Project:

Auditions for Changing Lives, Summer Youth Theatre Ensemble

Monday, May 23rd, 7-9PM
SafePlace Community Room
1515 Grove St., Austin, TX 78741

We are holding auditions for the 2011 Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble’s Summer Company. Changing Lives is a group of teens who devise and perform original theatre pieces to educate their peers about safe and healthy relationships in an effort to prevent teen dating violence and relationship abuse. This program is a collaboration between Theatre Action Project and SafePlace.This is an opportunity to be part of our summer artists workshop, where ensemble members write original theatre pieces about issues that affect their lives, go on exciting field trips to local museums, see theatre around Austin and be a part of a fabulous overnight retreat in the Texas Hill Country -- all for FREE!

Those selected for the summer ensemble will meet on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11am- 1pm at a central location, to be announced. The program will begin the week of June 13 and end August 8th, with a sharing of our work.

Students who successfully complete our 8 week summer program will have the opportunity to commit a PAID position for the following school year without having to audition again.

Requirements:Ages 14-20; Interest in acting, writing, dancing, music and creativeness
No experience necessary/ enthusiasm & teamwork required.
PLEASE RSVP to reserve your spot.Be prepared for teamwork exercises, group discussion, writing exercises and scene work. No need to prepare anything, you will read from a script for your audition.To RSVP & reserve your audition spot, please email nitra@theatreactionproject.org or text your full name & the word "audition" to Nitra's cell (361-537-6163).If you have questions about the program, please call Nitra at TAP 442-8773 x208, on the cell @ 361-537-6163

Check out our blog for more info about how we work and to see clips of our work!

Watch a documentary about our ensemble!

Looking forward to a new & exciting year, Nitra Gutiérrez

Summer 2011 Theatre Classes with Theatre Action Project

Received directly:

Theatre Action Project

announces

2011 Summer Camps!

for ages 5 - 12

every week, June 20 - August 12, Mondays - Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

McCallum Fine Arts Academy, 5600 Sunshine Drive (click for map)

Theatre Action Project, the largest provider of creative arts education in Austin, is hosting 8 weeks of Summer Camp at the McCallum Fine Arts Academy. Each week is a different theme with a sharing every Friday. You may enroll for one or multiple weeks.

Cost is $215 per week, with scholarships and extended care available.

“We are blown away by their talent and the wonderful connection
they each have with the kids. TOP NOTCH!” – Parent of ’10 camper

“Our child loves this camp; we have never seen him so excited about anything
else.” – Parent of ’10 camper

For more information contact Florinda@theatreactionproject.org or 512-442-8773. For online registration visit www.theatreactionproject.org

Click 'Read more' to view 2011 schedule and a video at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming: The Best of Times, Sara Hickman and friends, musical benefit for the Theatre Action Project, Paramount Theatre, February 5

Found on-line:

SARA HICKMAN & FRIENDS

THE BEST OF TIMES

A benefit for Theatre Action Project

Saturday, February 5 at the Paramount Theatre, 711 Congress
Doors @ 7:00pm | Show @ 8:00pm
Purchase Tickets Online or telephone (512) 474-1221 to purchase tickets.

Join Sara Hickman and friends Robert Earl Keen, Ruthie Foster, Patrice Pike and some of their favorite Texas musicians for a concert to celebrate the release of Best of Times, a compilation album to benefit Theatre Action Project. As Texas State Musician of the Year, Sara Hickman is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for arts education programs in Texas schools. This amazing concert and collection of songs is sure to be another great Texas legend.

VIP Tickets include priority seating and the opportunity to mingle with the artists at an exclusive after party at a private residence two blocks north of the theatre. Complimentary drinks, appetizers and desserts provided by Austin’s finest restaurants with music by The White Ghost Shivers.

Theatre Action Project is a team of professionally trained artists and educators that works in partnership with schools and communities to lead unique and engaging arts programs which allow young people to learn critical life skills, gain tools for creative expression and have successful experiences that build self-esteem and confidence.

Upcoming: Changing Lives, Theate Action Project at Vortex Repertory, July 10

Found on-line:

presents

Summer Showcase

The Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble
Saturday, July 10, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
at the Vortex Repertory, 2307 Manor Road (Google map)

The showcase will feature short scenes and work from ensemble members. Themes include sexism in pop culture, bullying, harassment, and technology’s impact on the social lives of teens. Work will also be featured from the SafePlace program “The Media Project.”

Come join us for an afternoon of theatre as we examine social issues relevant to today’s teens.

Upcoming: Perhaps Tomorrow, Changing Lives Youth Ensemble, Theatre Action Project

Found on-line, a blog posting by Theatre Action Project at tapstories.blogspot.com:

The recent suicide of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince in South Hadley, Massachusetts has brought attention to the serious impact of cyberbullying. Prince was harassed in school and after school by text messages and on Facebook. After weeks of harassment she took her own life.

The Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble is taking action locally by reaching out to teens and their parents through their current touring performance, Perhaps Tomorrow, an original play created by the teen ensemble to engage young people in dialogue about issues of cyber bullying, girl aggression, rumors, homophobia and dating relationships. The play models ways young people can support each other and stand up for what they believe is right.

“All these issues are what we see in our high schools; its normal but that doesn’t mean it’s right,” said Remandra Crow, Youth Member of CYTE.

The Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble is program that TAP and SafePlace created in 2003 to address these social problems now, and to train leaders to generate solutions for the future. This program puts the powerful tools of peer education and theatre in the hands of youth who want to stop the cycles of domestic and dating violence. The 15 youth members from High Schools all over the Austin area are paid to create and perform their piece during their Spring tour of the Central Texas Area.

Since 2003, more than 10,000 people have seen the powerful performances of the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble. It is free to book the youth ensemble to perform at any Central Texas school, church or community center. Contact Nitra@theatreactionproject.org to schedule the ensemble to perform at your site or if you are interested in joining the group.

Come check out an upcoming show:

* April 15: 6 p.m., Del Valle Middle School
* April 22: 6:30 p.m., Manor Performing Arts Center
* May 4: 6:30 p.m., Burnet Middle School
* May 6 : 7 pm, Griffin School
* May 22 : 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Carver Museum

Job Opportunity: Managing Director of Youth Theatre Company for SafePlace Austin, $35k/yr

Theatre job opportunity posted at the Texas Association of Non-Profit Organizations:

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CHANGING LIVES YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY - $35,000/yr
Posted on Wednesday 7-Jan-09 0:00 AM

Job Information Description
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CHANGING LIVES YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY - $35,000/yr
Theatre Action Project and SafePlace collaborate in directing and promoting the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Company. Changing Lives consists of high school students who come together to create compelling, interactive, educational theatre. The mission of Changing Lives is to promote safe and healthy relationships through educational theatre, media, and youth leadership. The Managing Director for the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Company co-directs the company with a Creative Director employed by Theatre Action Project. The Managing Director is responsible for coordinating theater operations, mentoring youth leaders, organizing community and media events and assisting in the production of various educational and marketing materials. This position reports to the Director of the Northeast Austin Teen Relationships Project at SafePlace and collaborates closely with Theatre Action Project.

Position Type: Full Time
Job URL: www.SafePlace.org
Travel Required: 10% of the time (approximate)
Starts On: 7-Jan-09
Job Requirements
Experience
Must have a strong drive and determination to expand the position and to advance creative ideas to increase the growth and visibility of Changing Lives; minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in education, theatre, media and communications, or related field or equivalent related work experience, and 3+ years of work experience; excellent collaboration skills required; knowledge of teen dating and sexual violence preferred; experience with marketing and media preferred; experience in promoting youth leadership preferred, Spanish speaking preferred. This position is grant specific.
Education Required: minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in education, theatre, media and communications, or related field or equivalent related work experience
Company Information
SafePlace
PO Box 19454
Austin, TX 78760
US
Contact Information
Brenda Strang 
(512) 267-7233
Fax (512) 356-1673
www.SafePlace.org

Job posting on SafePlace website

employment@safeplace.org