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
BE A TEACHING ARTIST
"In January 2017, I was invited to attend a Young Shakespeareans workshop - I thought I might get a kick out of seeing what they were doing with 4th and 5th graders in South Los Angeles.
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As the students filed into the room, it was clear how excited they were to be participating. The teachers', the students', and the liaison teacher's enthusiasm was so infectious that I jumped into the warm-ups myself. After that session I was hooked - I volunteered to assist.
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What I became part of is incredible. Students struggle, embrace, and find confidence that they never had before. Kids who are shy or socially awkward are included as part of a team where their role is valued. Other children who set goals like aiming to get a bigger part, succeed and expand their talents. And at performance time, their commitment and talent blows me away.
I also witness parents seeing their child do things they never imagined they could. I'm constantly told by parents how much they love the program, how glad they are that their child is able to participate, and how they hope their younger children will be able to get into the Young Shakespeareans when they get to 4th and 5th grade.
This program is clearly transformative for the students, but it transforms me as well. Opening these children up to new and exciting experiences is a reward I just cannot measure. I am tied to them, and I hope that I have changed their lives for the better. I am invested in their community, their families, and their school. I am committed to the future of the program and work TYS' fundraisers, so we can hire more teaching artists and expand into more schools, because all children deserve this kind of experience." Mary Elizabeth Caverly
Our partner schools are all LAUSD Title 1 schools located in Los Angeles -
many of our students are ESL with only Spanish spoken at home.
Our curriculum is carefully designed, calibrated, and very rigorous.
The Program requires a commitment of approximately 60 hours
teaching time over a 12-week period between January and May.
We value our Teaching Artists, are committed to their continued success in our program, and demonstrate this with high-quality training, compensation, networking opportunities, and support. And we model the attitudes and behavior we seek from our students, so we actively pursue individuals who practice awareness, respect, clarity, and kindness.
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If you derive joy from igniting and inspiring childrens'
curiosity, growth, and potential,
please submit a cover letter and resume reflecting your
teaching, acting, directing, and/or production experience.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!
be a volunteer
The Young Shakespeareans values Volunteers and Interns,
and all levels of creativity, experience, and time are welcome.
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If you can sew a hem, attach buttons, or paint backdrops, we can put you to work in the weeks before performance.
If you can climb a ladder, move equipment, or hang lights you will be well-exercised during Tech & Performance weeks.
Theatrical background is always helpful, particularly in the areas of Dance and Music.
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Administrative assistance is also always welcome in Fundraising, Social Media/Public Relations,
and other program and organizational functions.
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If you are looking for joy, purpose, and a whole lot of meaningful fun, let us know.
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