Created and developed by Founding Artistic Director Mark Cabus, PROJECT: 1317, a multiple award-winning arts program, is designed to help teens redirect their choices and goals, building self-esteem and social responsibility as well as offering alternative avenues of self-expression. Through PROJECT: 1317, students learn to invest in their communities as well as themselves. Each class, led by area teaching artists, experts in their given field, focuses on two major points:
- whatever the discipline, all students work collectively, learning in the process both collaboration and community;
- the end result of the class must benefit others (a sculpture is auctioned or a concert raises money and awareness for a charitable organization).
The first of its kind in the Middle Tennessee area, this program includes classes in acting, drumming, visual art, and creative writing/poetry. Over time, we’ve established PROJECT:1317 at the Alternative Learning Center of Williamson County, a high school/middle school for zero tolerance offenders, the Oasis Crisis Shelter, and My Friend’s House of Franklin, a resident home for abused and neglected boys.
THIS IS MY STORY, another award-winning after-school project created by Cabus, is designed to produce an original, autobiographically-based, full-length theatrical performance created by the students themselves. First developed at Stratford Comprehensive High School in May of 2007, this program encourages teens to cultivate speaking and writing skills, expressing themselves publicly through storytelling and songs. They clarify their values, develop critical thinking, and assume accountability so they make art that speaks authentically about themselves, their school, their community, and their world. Led by our trained Ensemble teaching artists, students participate in sessions learning movement, improvisation, scriptwriting, acting, storytelling, and stagecraft. All funds raised by the students’ final performance - an interactive, environmental experience - are designated to further the school’s arts programming.
In addition, Green Room sponsors Guest Artist Workshops for Nashville high schools and middle schools, like Los Angeles actor/director and performer with Cirque de Soleil, Jon Morris, who specializes in the physical movement of French clown, Phillipe Gaulier. We also offer low-priced public workshops for adult professional and non-professional actors.
