Scenes
from Shakespeare Recital May 3
The Expanding
Horizons Program of the Oxnard School District
together with City Hearts and Haydock Intermediate School presented
a
celebration of the City Hearts' Shakespeare Program on Thursday May
3. The
kids were fabulous and the event was well-attended by parents, who
enjoyed
meeting each other and the program facilitators. Channel 3 News was
on hand
to film the well-prepared and touching performance. City Hearts looks
forward to expanding this successful program.
For
more information, please see the press release below,
or call the City Hearts office at 310 455-2898.
P R E
S S R E L E A S E
City Hearts collaborates with the Oxnard School District on
the Expanding Horizons Community Center Project
City
Hearts - a 15 year old non-profit organization created by
Juvenile
Public Defenders Sherry and Bob Jason, is a successful collaborator
with the Oxnard School District on a 2.2 million dollar "21st
Century Community
Learning Center Grant" from the US Department of Education.
The goals
of the program at large are to increase academic
achievement to or above state standards and to reduce school and community
violence and substance abuse.
City
Hearts provides after school Shakespeare classes to approximately
30 children per week as part of a multi-component project. Classes
began in
September at Hueneme High School and Haydock Middle School, serving
students
in City Hearts "Shakespeare Challenge" program. Providing
these most at-risk
students with a team atmosphere, adult role model and challenging
Arts
activity has proven to bring out their best.
Lead
Instructor, Justin Doran, brings his impressive credentials
include Acting Degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles,
M.F.A.;
Southern University Methodist, B.F.A.; and Honors First Theater Course
work
at the University of Kent at Canterbury, England, as well as extensive
professional acting on stage and in television and films. He infuses
his
students with self-esteem, discipline and a sense of belonging. Watching
him
work in his classes is truly inspirational.
The project
is designed to work with students for 12 week segments to
conclude in a performance for the school, family and friends. The
project
runs throughout the school year and is expected to continue for three
years.
The Project at large was created by Program Director, Dr. Katherine
Larson,
a professor at UC Santa Barbara.
Contacts:
•
Sherry Jason, Founder / Executive Director, City Hearts (310) 455-2898
• Jane Donaldson, Administrator, City Hearts /
Program Coordinator, City Hearts - Expanding Horizons (310) 455-2898
•Dr.
Katherine Larson, Program Director - Expanding Horizons Project
•
Justin Doran, Lead Instructor
