LAKEWOOD THEATRE COMPANY

THE YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM AT LAKEWOOD IS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH IN THE GREATER PORTLAND AREA TO PARTICIPATE, BOTH AS ARTISTS AND AUDIENCE, IN ALL THAT LAKEWOOD HAS TO OFFER. LAKEWOOD STRIVES TO BRING OPPORTUNITIES TO THE UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN THE REGION WHOM, BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHIC, SOCIO-ECONOMIC, CULTURAL OR LANGUAGE BARRIERS, HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO ARTS EDUCATION. THIS PROGRAM FACILITATES CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUTH, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS, RESULTING IN OPEN COLLABORATIONS AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO CONTINUE TO CREATE MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES. LAKEWOOD CENTER RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING AN INVITING, DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS, AS ARTISTS, STUDENTS, AND AUDIENCE. DURING THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR OVER 200 STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM.CURRENT YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: IN-PERSON ART, THEATRE AND DANCE WORKSHOPS TAUGHT IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS. THESE INCLUDE BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) WORKSHOPS. ON-LINE ART WORKSHOPS. ALSO INCLUDING BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) WORKSHOPS. SUPPORT OF ART PROGRAMS ALREADY EXISTING IN LOCAL SCHOOLS BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, MATERIALS AND VISITING ARTISTS. A WEEK OF COLOR: A BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) ART INSTRUCTION BOOKLETS AND VIDEO SERIES, DISTRIBUTED TOGETHER WITH ART KITS TO AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. YOUTH ART EXHIBIT AT THE LAKE OSWEGO FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, INCLUDING ALL ART CREATED BY STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM. AWARDS RECEPTION FOR ALL ARTISTS AND FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN THE YOUTH ART EXHIBIT. INVITATIONS FREE OF CHARGE TO THEATRE PROGRAMS AT LAKEWOOD FOR FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN THE YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM.