The Young Shakespeareans
ALISON KORMAN Artistic Director / Founder
Alison is an entrepreneur and classically trained actor who, after working in Mexico and Senegal, returned to New York City's Metropolitan Opera and 92nd Street Y before founding her own arts management company, Korman+Company. During 25 years procuring and producing $5 million annually in still photography, she simultaneously performed off-Broadway and in various theatrical venues abroad. Living in Los Angeles since 1997, she has served as an Account Director for the Taproot Foundation, performed for hundreds of schoolchildren with the LA Assistance League’s Nine O’Clock Players, and began teaching Shakespeare to Title 1 elementary school children in South Los Angeles in 2009. She conceived the idea for The Young Shakespeareans Program in 2010, officially founded the organization in 2017, and has developed its curriculum in the conviction that unleashing the awareness and potential of Title 1 public school children transforms their lives while serving the broader community. Alison continues to perform in theatre, film and television. She received her degree in Special Education and Foreign Language from Washington University in St. Louis.
of John Adams Middle School
TYS' Newest Addition!
"Scenes, Swords & Skirmishes"
SPRING 2023 at West Vernon Avenue Elementary School
set in 1920's MEXICO
from the imaginings of TYS' Alumni Production Design Team
collaborating from High Schools throughout South Central and East Los Angeles!
"A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Our determined students
stayed engaged throughout
the pandemic.
Here's what they did...
2022
the Scottish Play
6th + 7th graders from
John Adams Middle School
worked remotely to create a SPECTACULAR ZOOMIE
8th - 12th graders from
three different schools
teamed to produce an
IMPRESSIVE FILM
2021 in COVID Fairyland !
Snap Magic Costumes
The Young Shakespeareans of John Adams Middle School
Mustardseed as designed by Eliceo, virtually "worn" by Shirley
thanks to technology provided by SnapChat OLCs
Phil Walton + Frank Shi
in"A Midsummer Night's Dream" like never before…
Performed on a Unified Virtual Stage with
Scenics, Sound, & Animated Costumes
created by Students!
2020 !
Eerily similar to the plague during Shakespeare's time,
the pandemic closed our schools mid-season.
Our students were devastated and many tears were shed.
To model a creative way to deal with difficult circumstances,
we met online with added instruction in
performing for the camera, and DIY lighting and costuming.
The Young Shakespeareans of John Adams Middle School
persevered with determination to close their 2020 season with
a beautiful online performance of
"ROMEO + JULIET".
you
gotta' watch
this!
The Young
Shakespeareans of
Nevin Avenue
Elementary School ready to rumble &
COMBAT COVID!
Make easy-peasy Costumes at Home
make a renaissance beret
make an elizabethan ruff
Visit the
BEFORE TIMES
THE BUZZ
Click
the
pages
"I've been participating in TYS for 3 years now. It's had an influence on all aspects of my life.
I used to be a very shy, soft spoken person, who really didn't participate. Now when I start talking, people have a hard time quieting me down - theatre was a major confidence boost in my self esteem.
The whole experience has made me a more comfortable public speaker, and I am capable of having a mature conversation with adults. For instance, I've performed at a few benefits and represented TYS to outside organizations. I’ve also shot documentary footage interviewing younger students, and convinced my principal at John Adams Middle School to bring in TYS.
The Young Shakespeareans has helped me recognize my potential for success and as we say,
'If I can do Shakespeare I can do anything!' ”
Emily, 7th grade
a message from our Founder
