After-School Programs
In addition to in-school student workshops, ENACT provides after-school and Saturday student programs. Research supports the correlation between engagement in after-school programming and violence prevention and increased achievement among youth. According to After-School Programs: Keeping Children Safe and Smart (June 2000), participation in after-school programs leads to increased safety, reduced risk-taking, and improved learning.
ENACT's after-school workshops apply the ENACT method, using creative drama techniques to build social and emotional skills, and usually culminate in a final performance, project, or share-out. For example, ENACT after-school students have written plays and worked toward literacy goals based on New York State English Language Standards. Under-credited students have also had the opportunity to make up credits on a case-by-case basis by participating in ENACT after-school programs.
In the past, ENACT after-school programs have been made possible through the United Way of New York City’s Community Achievement Project in the Schools (CAPS) and Focus Forward Initiative, NYC Council’s Drop-out Prevention Initiative, as well as federally-funded initiatives such as 21st Century Community Learning Centers and Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention.
For the past three years, the students in ENACT’s Dropout Prevention after-school programs have been part of “Show-Up”, a year-end student showcase held in a professional theatre. On May 27, 2010, over 85 students from 5 partnership schools performed at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College for nearly 300 family members, teachers, principals, and friends.
For more information on ENACT after-school programs, please contact Leslie Wright, Workshop Manager, at (212) 741-6591 ext. 214 or leslie.wright@enact.org.
