Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Young Playwrights’ Theater
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: YPT
Mailing Address: 2437 15th Street NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Postal Code: 20009
Main Phone: 202-387-9173
Main Fax: 202-387-9176
Organization Website: www.yptdc.org
Employer ID Number: 52-2102391
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/30/2015
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Young Playwrights’ Theater’s Arts Education Programming
Project Description:

Founded in 1995 by professional playwright Karen Zacarías, Young Playwrights’ Theater (YPT) inspires young people to realize the power of their own voices. By teaching students to express themselves through the art of playwriting, YPT develops students’ language skills, and empowers them with the creativity, confidence and critical thinking skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Our In-School Playwriting Program, YPT’s flagship residency program, weaves the art of playwriting into Language Arts curricula as part of students’ school-day instruction to enhance literacy, creative expression and communication. A professional teaching artist leads a twelve-workshop series teaching students the fundamentals of playwriting and the mechanics of language, drama and self-expression, culminating with every student writing their own play. Professional actors then perform students’ plays in the classroom, showing students the power of language and their own voices. YPT also provides summer and after-school programs and free, professional performances of student-written work in the community.

Over the past decade, the Hermanowski Foundation’s support has helped YPT reach thousands of underserved students and their families with free arts education programming. In 2016, increased funding from the Hermanowski Foundation helped YPT expand our services in DC’s highest-need neighborhoods, establishing new partnerships with schools in low-income neighborhoods in Wards 5 and 8 to provide our In-School Program for new students. In 2016-17, YPT looks forward to anchoring these partnerships and deepening relationships at each new partner school. We anticipate reaching over 1,500 students in 25 schools across all eight wards in the coming year with free, in-depth literacy programming. Our programming will achieve a measurable impact on student literacy, and a deeper community impact by bringing free theater into underserved neighborhoods to share the hopes and dreams of DC’s youth, while inspiring them to realize the power and value of their voices and stories.

Total Project Budget: $818,476

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Young Playwrights’ Theater’s project budget is our projected FY17 operating budget: $818,476. YPT is in the early stages of applying for funding for FY17, but we anticipate continued support from many regular funders including the National Endowment for the Arts, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Cafritz Foundation, the Meyer Foundation, the Clark-Winchcole Foundation, the Harman Family Foundation and Wells Fargo. We have been thrilled to receive increased funding from several funders, including the Hermanowski Foundation, which has allowed YPT to establish new partnerships and deepen our impact in high-need neighborhoods across Washington, DC.

Project Duration: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017
Geographical Area Served: Washington, DC metro area
Age Group To Be Served: Youth ages 5-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Alison
Contact Last Name: Beyrle
Contact Title: Development Director
Contact Phone: 202-387-9173
Contact Email: abeyrle@yptdc.org