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About Us
Our Mission
Opening Act centers student voices through high-quality, inclusive theater education programs, helping to close the arts education access gap in New York City.
Our programs put young artists and leaders center stage—inspiring creativity, developing confidence, fostering community, and teaching collaboration to set students up for success both on and off the stage.
"Opening Act is a welcoming place where you can be yourself, expect to learn fun, new things, and meet new people."
Serafina Charles, Opening Act Student
Our Values
SHOWING UP
“Showing up is being yourself and knowing that being yourself is enough and knowing that you make all of us better.”
Jacob Matthews, Alum
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INCLUDING
“Alone we are strong but together we are stronger.”
Joshua Sanchez, Alum
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RESPECTING
“Respecting is reassurance of yourself. Recognizing and acknowledging others with consideration for generations to come.”
Caleb Grandoit, Alum
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LISTENING
“Listening is the only way to really make us connect with each other and it’s the only way that we can really access our true, authentic selves.”
Jeremiah Thompson, Alum
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EMPOWERING
“Empowering is the act of inspiring others. Each generation is supposed to inspire each other to want to do better and create something new.”
Nat Bell, Alum
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YES-AND
“Yes-and is affirmation that, in this moment, you are enough. That whatever you are working on is enough. Whatever you bring to the table is enough. Whatever project you are working on and whoever you may be collaborating with and whatever you are creating together is enough.”
Brittany Adebumola, Alum