Community Actors Program (CAP)
Community Actors Program (CAP) is an introductory performance program utilizing Theater of the Oppressed, participatory theater, and performance as tools for community building and social change. In this program, teens work together to create theater productions and related events responding to a community issue or specific site.
CAP Fall 2020 Coursework Assignments
Collective Care
For this assignment, apprentices were asked to conceptualize Collective Care as a tool for developing shared agreements for program participation. The objective of the activity was to help students understand the difference between collective care and group rules. Students emerged from the project with an understanding of their needs for successful participation, best practices for how to hold themselves accountable, and strategies for practicing self-care and group-care in a virtual setting.
Daily Reflection
Students began each meeting with a group check-in that allowed them to share thoughts and reflect on accomplishments, struggles, emotional well-being and sociopolitical issues. Scroll through to learn more about these daily reflections.
Kidnaped Outline
In preparation for their final radio play, teens formulated an outline of their script that contains the initial concepts and ideas of the production. Students used this document as a guide when developing scenes and dialogue. Once you hear the final product you will notice that some ideas made the cut, some did not.
STORYLINE
Sade’s friend Taylor is kidnapped at a school event. Sade & their friends try to get the police to help but the police won’t believe them. Sade’s uncle/aunt Detective Clark helps them locate the kidnapper and their friend.
INCITING ACTION
Large school event. After a while our teens realize their friend is gone. They find their first clue and realize it’s up to them to save her.
RISING ACTION
Sade & their friends go to the police station but the police won’t listen to them. So Sade goes to their detective aunt or uncle. They have to convince Clark to work with them. Clue 2 is at a location where they all recently went. Clue 3 is at the water tower. Clue 4 is at someone’s home (indicating the costume/masquerade). [Is the kidnapper leaving clues or Taylor All clues are in the form of a riddle or poem.
CLIMAX
Kidnapper is trying to leave the masquerade early. They go to the location where the teen(s) are. Scooby Doo moment antagonist is revealed.
RESOLUTION
Taylor is found. We realize the Kidnapper has a rivalry or vendetta with the Taylor’s parent.
FINAL PROJECT
Over the course of the term, apprentices worked in groups to write KIDNAPPED. Wanting to explore themes impacting their community, students created a work that shows a group of friends who risk their own safety to save their friend
CAP Instructor
Nora Carroll is an Actor/Teaching Artist who believes in the transformative power of storytelling. Before receiving her MFA from the University of San Diego, she attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Nora has had the pleasure of storytelling in a variety of diverse spaces, including: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Old Globe, The Public Theatre, Centinela Prison in San Diego, Metropolitan Detention Center in New York, and Armory Women’s Shelter in Manhattan. Nora is invested in creating artistic spaces that are transformative, gender expansive, and equitable. She is excited to continue this work with the young artists of Community Actors Program