In our newest educational program, Richmond Shakespeare collaborates with  the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia , the Richmond Gang Reduction and Intervention Program (GRIP)  and Shakespeare Festival/LA.

Using a model created by Shakespeare Festival/LA, 20-25 at-risk youth are hired during summer vacation to produce, adapt and perform in a Shakespeare play. Students explore not only the mechanics and the art of producing a play, but also the thematic issues that resonate with their own lives, while learning vital employment skills. The program also draws on the resources of an array of social service programs that provide a safety net for youth, and that help them learn skills and behavior that will enable them to grow to become socially responsible adults. Because of its success, the Shakespeare Festival/LA program was awarded the national Coming Up Taller  award and the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program  and the National Endowment of the Arts  have given the mandate and the funding to reproduce the program in cities across the country. Will Power to Youth Richmond will be the first prototype.

Performances: at the Firehouse Theatre Project,
Address: 1609 W. Broad Street in Richmond

Dates & Times:  
August 23, 2007  2:00pm & 7:30pm
August 24, 2007  7:30pm
August 25, 2007  7:30pm