Kids Acting With Purpose
Kids Acting With Purpose is a youth development organization dedicated to empowering underserved teens through the transformative world of theatre arts. We provide year-round enrichment programs beyond the school day, designed to nurture creativity, foster self-confidence, and encourage teamwork. Through creative arts, mentorship, conflict resolution training, and college and career readiness initiatives, we aim to support the personal and academic growth of every young person who joins our program.
Our approach centers on using theatre as a tool for expression and connection, offering students a safe, inclusive space to explore and develop their talents. Whether through engaging youth productions, skill-building workshops, or impactful community outreach, Kids Acting With Purpose encourages participants to broaden their cultural awareness and cultivate a sense of purpose.
We believe that by building confidence and expressive skills, our youth are better equipped to succeed in all aspects of life and make positive contributions to their communities and beyond.
OUR Principles
Our Program Goals
Foster Creative Expression and Self-Confidence
Cultivate a safe and supportive environment where youth can explore their creativity through acting, music, and dance, building confidence in their unique talents and perspectives.
Develop Essential Life Skills
Equip teens with skills in conflict resolution, teamwork, communication, and leadership, preparing them to face real-world challenges with resilience and responsibility.
Promote Academic and Career Readiness
Support students’ academic and professional growth by integrating college and career readiness into our programming, helping youth set and achieve personal and educational goals.
Encourage Cultural Awareness and Social Responsibility
Expand students’ understanding of history, culture, and social justice through the performing arts, inspiring them to make positive contributions to their communities.
Build a Strong Sense of Community and Belonging
Create a welcoming, inclusive program that fosters connections and friendships, giving students a sense of belonging and support that strengthens their personal development.
Inspire Lifelong Passion for the Arts
Instill a lasting appreciation for the arts and storytelling by engaging students in meaningful productions and performances, encouraging a lifelong pursuit of creative and cultural endeavors.
Increase Youth Engagement and Positive Behavior in School
Improve students’ school attendance, academic performance, and classroom behavior by providing a motivating and positive space where they can learn and grow outside of school.
Cultivate Future Leaders and Advocates
Empower youth to become confident leaders and advocates, using their voices to inspire change and champion causes that matter to them and their communities.
Meet Our Team
ShaVonne Davis
Artistic Director
Rachel Brittenham
Production Manager
Janai Allen
Choreographer
Steve Warren
Music Director
Anaya Harris
Musical Theatre Teaching Assistant
Alanna Stern
Executive Assistant
Edmond Breaux Jr
Media Director
1. Enhancing Focus and Discipline
Through theater arts, teens learn the importance of focus, discipline, and practice. Rehearsals, memorizing lines, and performance preparation all require dedication and concentration. These skills translate into better focus and work habits in the classroom, helping students stay engaged and complete assignments on time.
2. Improving Self-Confidence and Social Skills
Many students struggle in school due to low confidence or social anxiety, which can lead to disruptive behavior or reluctance to participate. KAWP helps students build self-confidence by encouraging them to perform and speak in front of others, fostering a sense of accomplishment. As teens grow more comfortable with themselves and their peers, they become more willing to engage positively in school activities and interact constructively with classmates and teachers.
3. Encouraging Attendance through Engaging Programs
Students who lack motivation or a sense of purpose are more likely to miss school. KAWP provides an enjoyable, engaging space where students feel they belong, which can boost their motivation to attend both the program and school. With a renewed interest in learning and being part of a supportive community, students are more likely to value their daily school attendance as part of their personal growth.
4. Building Academic and Critical Thinking Skills
KAWP integrates arts-based activities that improve reading, comprehension, and critical thinking—skills that directly support academic achievement. Whether analyzing scripts, understanding characters, or developing storylines, teens are practicing literacy skills that translate to better performance in subjects like English and social studies. Additionally, KAWP encourages creative problem-solving, which can improve students' ability to tackle complex assignments and exams.
5. Providing Positive Mentorship and Accountability
Mentorship is a key element at KAWP, where teens build supportive relationships with mentors who provide guidance and accountability. Having a trusted adult invested in their success encourages students to make responsible choices, stay on track academically, and set goals. Mentors also serve as role models, helping teens see the importance of education as a foundation for future success, thereby motivating them to maintain good attendance and strive for academic improvement.
Kids Acting With Purpose Impact on the Community
Education
Kids Acting With Purpose (KAWP) can positively impact school behaviors, attendance, and academic performance by creating a supportive environment that nurtures essential life skills, boosts self-esteem, and motivates teens to stay engaged in school. Here’s how KAWP can contribute to these areas:
1. Providing a Safe, Positive
Outlet for Emotions
Many teens involved in gun violence lack constructive outlets to express or manage their emotions. Through theater and creative arts, KAWP offers a healthy, positive space where teens can channel feelings like anger, frustration, and sadness. This helps them process complex emotions in a constructive way, reducing the likelihood of resorting to violence.
2. Teaching Conflict Resolution
and Communication Skills
KAWP actively integrates conflict resolution and communication training into its programming. Teens learn how to resolve disagreements without resorting to aggression, developing skills to de-escalate conflicts. This education empowers teens to handle challenging situations calmly and respectfully, providing tools to avoid and defuse potentially violent encounters.
3. Building Strong Mentor
Relationships
Mentorship is a core component of KAWP, giving teens access to positive role models who can guide and support them. Trusted mentors provide advice, encouragement, and a source of stability that many young people might lack elsewhere. This guidance is crucial for at-risk teens, offering them a vision of positive choices and future possibilities beyond violence.
4. Creating a Sense ofCommunity
and Belonging
Many teens involved in violence often feel disconnected or isolated, leading them to seek validation in risky behaviors or groups. KAWP builds a sense of belonging by welcoming teens into a diverse, supportive environment where they feel seen and valued. This community structure gives teens a positive support network and helps them avoid harmful influences.
5. Fostering Self-Esteem
and Purpose
Low self-esteem and lack of direction can drive some teens toward violence as a way of asserting themselves. KAWP’s programs aim to build self-worth by helping teens discover their talents, set goals, and pursue passions. With a stronger sense of self and purpose, teens are less likely to engage in violent activities and more inclined to make decisions that support their future success.
Gun Violence
Kids Acting With Purpose (KAWP) can play a valuable role in reducing gun violence among teens by addressing root causes, fostering personal growth, and building a sense of community. Here’s how KAWP contributes to this important goal:
Passion
At Kids Acting With Purpose (KAWP), passion fuels every aspect of our program. We are dedicated to providing underserved youth with enriching opportunities in theatre arts, sparking a love for creativity, performance, and self-expression. Our students dive into the world of storytelling, acting, music, and dance, finding joy and fulfillment in discovering their unique talents. Through hands-on projects like our recent play Harriet: Take My Hand and Follow Me, students connect with history, empathy, and artistry, developing a deep passion for creative exploration and personal growth.
Power
KAWP empowers young people by building confidence, resilience, and self-assurance through theatre. Our program is a safe space where youth are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and embrace their individual voices. In productions such as Harriet: Take My Hand and Follow Me, students explore themes of courage, freedom, and justice—lessons that resonate deeply and instill a sense of personal strength. Through mentorship, conflict resolution, and teamwork, KAWP equips teens with powerful life skills that enable them to overcome challenges both on and off the stage.
Purpose
Our purpose at KAWP is to cultivate a generation of expressive, compassionate, and driven young people. We are committed to guiding teens as they develop skills that prepare them for life’s many paths, whether they pursue college, a career, or a future in the arts. Every program component—from workshops and productions to community outreach and college/career readiness initiatives—is designed to nurture a sense of responsibility, empathy, and purpose in each student, empowering them to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
Projection
Looking forward, KAWP envisions a future where every student confidently steps into their potential and uses their voice to inspire others. Through projects like the documentary celebrating “Stand Up” from Harriet, we project stories of strength, unity, and resilience that echo beyond the stage. By building skills in performance, storytelling, and self-expression, we prepare our students to project their voices and ideas into the world, knowing that they have the power to shape their own lives and uplift those around them.
