Imagine Brave Spaces:
Children & Youth
Today’s youth are faced with a range of challenges that are creating a barrier of access to the protective factors that bolster social and emotional wellbeing. These conditions, among others, are depleting the mental health of young people today.
These challenges require creative, multi-faceted and innovative solutions to interrupt this harmful environment. Play! activities merge applied theatre, critical pedagogy, healing-centered engagement, restorative justice, drama therapy, and somatic experiencing.
To learn more about how we work, check out our Theory of Change.
PLAY! YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THEATRE
Play! Youth Development Theatre addresses the youth mental health crisis through dynamic theatre-based techniques that expand social and emotional fluency. The program uses live theatre and embodied in-class techniques to invite youth to imagine their own lives and the world around them in new ways; cultivating awareness, joy, and belonging.
Play! In-Class Lessons (K-12th grade)
An in-school or after school culturally responsive theatre program consisting of multiple age-appropriate lessons and live theatre performances delivered by Imagine’s creative Teaching Artist ensemble. The program utilizes the tools of theatre to develop social and emotional fluency and cultivates resilient school communities. Activities allow students to express themselves through movement and embodiment, which provides physiological benefits and helps to regulate the nervous system, while at the same time enhancing community membership, empathy, confidence, and safe and brave spaces to engage in various life topics.
The program makes Common Core Curriculum ties to each lesson and was designed based on CASEL and the Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning Framework.
Download: Play! 2024-25 Programs (PDF)
Download: Play! 2023-24 Program Report (PDF)
Safa’s Story (4th-6th grade)
Safa’s Story is a live theatre bullying prevention program and is part of Imagine’s Play! Youth Development Theatre. During this program, 4th-8th grade students experience an interactive play designed to create dialogue and ally action. The play itself is based on a true story of a Zimbabwean-American 5th grade girl from San Diego and utilizes a rare type of interactive performance called Forum Theatre that empowers students to stand up for themselves and their peers when they experience conflict or bullying. Find out more on the Safa’s Story homepage.
Zion’s Story (7th-12th grade)
Zion's Story is a human trafficking prevention and awareness program for middle and high school youth, families, and communities. This one-of-a-kind creative and interactive experience cultivates awareness, empathy, and action while at the same time building community and connection within the participating group.
The program takes a holistic approach to prevention by addressing vulnerabilities and root causes that lead to trafficking. It also supports participants in identifying the intersections with other well-being and safety issues affecting young people today, including substance abuse, peer bullying, decline in mental health, and online and gaming addictions. Find out more on the Zion’s Story homepage.
Download: Promotional Flyer PDF
Play! After School Clubs (TK-8th grade)
These clubs engage students in theatre activities such as acting, improvisation, movement, storytelling, cooperation games, and more. The club creates an open environment for children to explore, imagine, and express themselves through play.
OTHER PROGRAMS
Theatre Arts Integration
(2nd-12th grade)
Imagine offers in-school residencies that combine theatre with school subject matter in order to meet academic learning objectives. Programming is specially designed for each classroom context based on teacher input and school curriculum.
JCCS Enrichment
(K-12th grade)
Programs are designed by trauma-informed and restorative justice-trained Teaching Artists. Our facilitators are experienced in collaborating with onsite educators to sensitively engage vulnerable youth such as young people in the juvenile court and community schools system in San Diego County. These in-school residencies combine both learning and social emotional objectives for a holistic program.
All Programs are:
Facilitated by experienced Teaching Artists trained in: Culturally Responsive Teaching, Healing Centered & Trauma-informed Engagement, Student-Centered Approaches, and Restorative Justice
Flexible to accommodate school schedules.
Responsive to school content needs and requests.
For more information, contact catherine@imaginebravespaces.com
What Participants Are Saying
“I love having [Play!] because it made me a new person a bit, and it was fun and I learned a lot about the classmates that I hated and now I don't think I will hate them anymore.”
— Student
“I learned that I feel way more comfortable with these people in my class and that they feel comfortable with me too.”
— Student
“The show made me feel different about being a bystander in things because I learned staying out of things isn't always the solution and it may help to stand up for someone.”
— Student
“It isn’t just a theatre class. It got us thinking about ourselves, each other, and the world around us.”
— Student
“It was very impactful to have the students reflect not only on the story, but their own lives. I love the discussions. Our facilitator created a very safe space for dialogue that made the students feel comfortable to share their feelings and experiences.
— Teacher
“Students who, by some, might be considered low-performers were among the achievers, empowered to contribute, those students who normally might not contribute, had something to say.”
— Teacher
“This was a VERY positive experience. The movement and discussion breaks helped my students remain focused. This program opened up the topic of diversity in a way that helped the students see that their actions towards others matter.”
— Teacher
“My students were absolutely engaged and came away with a better understanding and tools to solve their own problem with racism and bullying. They also feel inspired to become better people to everyone around them.”
— Teacher
All programs are flexible to accommodate school schedules and are responsive to school content needs and requests. All facilitation is done by a Trauma-informed and Restorative Justice-trained Teaching Artist.