Participant Daniel practices for The Event with Songwriting Mentor Brian Joseph.
In Twelfth Night, Duke Orsino declares: “If music be the food of love – play on!” But little did Shakespeare know that this beloved (and oft-quoted) line would inspire an after school program combining music education, songwriting, sound design, poetry, dramatic writing and wage-paying jobs for youth in our community.
Like our nationally recognized, award-winning Will Power to Youth program, Play On! youth study a single play (Hamlet in the 2008 session). But instead of staging a full adaptation, the chosen play inspires participants to create a collection of original songs, poems and soliloguies.
During the 8-week session, youth gained valuable workplace skills. They also got the unique opportunity to be mentored by industry professionals in songwriting, poetry, sound engineering or sound production.
The work of the 2008 participants will be recorded on a CD released this October 2008. Click here to listen to and purchase the album from 2005's inaugural Play On! session.
Support for the 2008 session provided by the Verizon Foundation, AT&T Excelerator and the James Irvine Foundation.
Play On! Highlights
John, Mayra and Fancy perform Fault Line at 2005's Urban Shakespeare CD release party.
- February 28, 2008 – Play On! alum Alyssa H. performed her piece "A Helping Hand" at Mrs. Laura Bush's Helping America's Youth Conference in Portland, Oregon.
- December 2006 – Play On! was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition. Hear the story!
How can I participate?
Click here to read the eligibility requirements for participating in the program and request application information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Look in the FAQs to find answers to questions about all our youth and education programs, whether you’re a teacher, student, artist, community member or sponsor.