Prescott Circus’ 2024-2025 School and Community Youth Programs 
{"type": "project", "title": "Prescott Circus’ 2024-2025 School and Community Youth Programs ", "logoImg": "bafkreihlfoxsnyttgwueyu464x6lgjawfzdrad6vgvbqy24623j2keqnhq", "website": "https://www.prescottcircus.org", "bannerImg": "bafkreietfq4ptkuipu5fpycemdkdti7urzfupdmlzjkx6r66dy3exzmj2e", "createdAt": 1729588868728, "credentials": {}, "description": "Prescott Circus Theatre (Oakland, CA) is a 40 year old, youth development and performing arts education program that empowers and engages youth through the circus and theater arts to develop the confidence and skills to thrive on stage, in school, and in life. The program started at Prescott Elementary in the Heart of West Oakland in 1984 by then classroom teacher, Aileen Moffitt, who used juggling and clowning with Afrocentric pedagogy to inspire her young learners. The program has since grown to annually serve over nine elementary schools.with a continuity of engagement for older youth on weekends and through the summer.  \n\n![pyramid](https://i.ibb.co/QFNGCPV/1-2023-REACH-pyramid-square.png)\n\nHere in Oakland, CA, neighborhoods below the 580 freeway experience higher rates of crime, unemployment, and environmental stressors. It is statistically and experientially demonstrated that these have compounding, adverse impacts on schools and the students located in these disinvested parts of the city. Youth in these neighborhoods face disproportionate academic outcomes and challenges to health and well-being as a result (2021 Oakland Fund for Children and Youth Community Needs Assessment). Concurrently, schools are key institutions where there are opportunities to offset the impact of stressors on children through innovative and responsive pedagogy and programming. Quality, innovative arts and enrichment programs are known to help counter these negative impacts.\n\nOakland children and families have a lot of resources including innate creativity, strong social and familial bonds, and systems of providing mutual aid. Prescott Circus Theatre, in partnership with schools, teaching artists, and educations, provides free school and community based programs that use circus training and performing to explore and flex these strengths – ultimately to promote positive culture and climate, strengthen opportunities, and help build bridges for youth to their greater communities. PCT’s curriculum includes prosocial games and circus skill instruction delivered through culturally connected, trauma informed pedagogy.  \n\n![Costumes](https://i.ibb.co/s5GJjgW/2-2022-EOP-Costume-Day.jpg)\n\nPrescott Circus’ 2024-2025 School and Community Youth Programs will engage 300 low income Oakland youth: 98% from low income families, 95% Black, Latino, Asian, and of multiple ethnicities; 96% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch. 15% have disabilities, 58% are girls, 42% boys.  \n\nSchool residencies at ten Oakland public schools. Grades TK - 8.   January – May. \n1-2x weekly classes. 1.5 – 2 hours in length centering communication, self-awareness/mindfulness, community building through skills building and show creation.  Two residencies work with Special Education classrooms serving students with moderate and moderate-severe disabilities. \n\nCircus Pathways for Older Youth. Grades 7 – 11. January – May.\n1x weekly classes.  2 hours/class.  Advance circus skills and performance training, teacher assistant training for paid leadership roles in school and summer programs. \n\nYouth Adult Program (YAP) Circus. Young adults with disabilities ages 18 – 21. January – May. \n1x weekly classes. 1 – 1.5 hours/class. In partnership with Oakland Unified School District’s Young Adult Program. Classes use functional juggling, clowning, and theater to promote social skills, physical mobility, sequencing, and emotional wellbeing.  Future plans are to expand this project to include theater production vocational training to prepare YAP students for positions in local theater programs for ushering, light/sound operations, and stagecraft. \n\n![stilts](https://i.ibb.co/kDKdb6z/Stilt-Dance-Drummer-Tom-Holub-2018-Copy.jpg)\n\nClick here for a video work sample. \nhttps://youtu.be/_77u-YEPn1c\n\n2023-2024 Program Outcomes \nhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1nP9nQo8Mwe1gFka3vcAFhn7YI0NYbktY/view?usp=sharing", "logoImgData": {}, "bannerImgData": {}}