Unified Theater Celebrates $100,000 State Farm Grant, Achievement First Amistad High School's First Show

New Haven, CT: Achievement First Amistad High School’s cafetorium will be packed with friends, family, and community supporters on Friday, March 18 both to see the school’s first-ever Unified Theater performance, “Taking the Stage,” and to celebrate a $100,000 grant from State Farm’s Youth Advisory Board to Unified Theater, Inc.

Nearly 60 students of all abilities, backgrounds, and experiences came together to form the high school’s first Unified Theater program where students write, direct, and perform their own original theater performance. “Taking the Stage” is a play built around a talent show that tells the story of what happens behind the scenes of students’ lives. Students showcase their unique talents on stage—from spoken word to dance to singing—or use their skills behind the stage as a director or stage crew. Students also had the opportunity to learn from teaching artists at Long Wharf Theatre, Unified Theater’s affiliate theater partner in the New Haven region.

Students are excited, and a little nervous, in anticipation of the curtain rising. “This is our first year of Unified Theater,” said advisor, Lauren Dodington, College Counselor at Achievement First Amistad High. “It’s really allowed us to start a theater program here, which we never had before.” The program has brought together students of all grade levels, while also bridging geographic and social divides, making the culture even more positive and inclusive.

State Farm Insurance will also be presenting Unified Theater, Inc. with a check for $100,000 at the show to fund new Unified Theater Spotlight School programs, like the one started this year at Achievement First Amistad High. This is the third year the State Farm Youth Advisory Board has awarded a grant to Unified Theater, Inc. in support of youth leadership, creativity, and inclusion.

The performance will begin at Achievement First Amistad High School (580 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven) at 6:00pm, with doors opening at 5:30pm. The show is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation. Parking is available behind the school in the lot off Sherman Parkway. For more information visit www.unifiedtheater.org/join.

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About Unified Theater: Unified Theater’s mission is to create a more inclusive community through youth leadership and the performing arts. Students of all abilities, backgrounds, interests, and experiences come together as individuals and equals to write, direct, and produce their own theater performance. Our philosophy is simple—Empower Youth to Lead, Let Creativity Rule, and Put the Spotlight on Ability! Founded in West Hartford in 2002, Unified Theater has worked with nearly 100 schools coast to coast, training thousands of young people to change their schools and communities through acceptance, creativity and inclusion.

About Achievement First Amistad High School: Achievement First Amistad High School is a college-preparatory public charter school serving more than 400 students in New Haven, CT. The mission of Achievement First is to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all children, regardless of race, economic status or zip code. AF Amistad High was ranked the #2 high school in the state by U.S. News & World Report in 2015. For each year that it has graduated classes, 100% of AF Amistad High School graduating seniors have been accepted into colleges and universities.

About State Farm Youth Advisory Board/State Farm Insurance: Thirty high school and college-aged youth oversee the granting of $4 million for student-led service-learning projects in the United States. The process is unique in that youth are given full responsibility and resource decisions. The Board themselves research pertinent societal issues, review grant applications, and ultimately decide the grant winners. For more information, please visit www.sfyab.com.