Since 1993, [the Unusual Suspects Theatre Company] USTC has worked to bring the power of theatre to youth who have been systematically excluded from participating in healthy methods of self-expression. We remain a recognized leader in the fields of arts education, youth development, mentorship, and community building throughout Los Angeles County.
In step with our mission to, ‘mentor, educate, and enrich youth in under-resourced communities through the creation of collaborative, original theatre,’ we strive to narrow the access gap for thousands of local young people, offering programs free-of-charge to youth within the county’s most under-resourced communities and schools and helping remove barriers to participation.
Supported by a 13-member Board, 12 full-time staff, 20+ professional Teaching Artists, and proven standards-based curricula, we reach over 2,500 individuals (93% ages 6-19, 98% BIPOC) through our direct programming annually.”
Its programs include:
● Youth Theatre Conservatory that offers experiential theatre-arts education and mentoring to high school students
● Youth Theatre Residency that offers standards-based workshops to elementary and middle school students in-and-out of the classroom to help them build valuable teamwork, communication, and socialization skills
● Voices from Inside Program (VIP) that offers healing-informed, standards based theatre-arts education and mentoring for incarcerated, justice-involved, and other trauma impacted minors
● Neighborhood Voices Program that engages intergenerational community residents (ages 11-65+) in creating and performing an original modernized morality play to address community issues
● Vocational Training Program: Offered in tandem with select residencies that provides hands-on training and skill-building opportunities in distinct theatrical disciplines
● Theatre & Culture Access Program that introduces students and families from low-income communities to professional theatre
● Alumni Program that provides ongoing mentoring to former USTC program participants who are ready for additional guidance as they pursue their art, education, and careers.
Learn more: Unusual Suspects Theatre Company
