SpeakEasy Stage is proud of its partnership with the Boston Center for the Arts and its outreach program, OPP/ART (Opportunities for Art).

The Purpose
OPP/ART at the Boston Center for the Arts is designed to reach Boston residents who otherwise might not attend or be able to afford our programs. Consistent with the BCA’s and SpeakEasy’s mission to develop and serve broad audiences, the program enables diverse populations to share a common art centered experience and to discover personal and collective benefit through their experience with the arts. This targeted effort is a component of the ongoing public programming available to all audiences.

The Audience
Through our partnership with the BCA we currently have successful collaborations with a varied group of social service agencies in the South End: United South End Settlements, Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA), Ellis Memorial and Eldridge House, Boston Asian Youth Essential Services and the YMCA at Huntington Avenue. These agencies are dedicated to including cultural activities in their programming for the children, teens, adults and seniors whom they serve. Performance art opportunities are also made available to other organizations in metro Boston which seek cultural programs for largely underserved populations. Collaborators for 08/09 are: Castle Square Tenants Association, Rosie’s Place, Cushing House, Springboard, The Urban League, Huntington Theatre Education Program, YWCA, Youth Workers Alliance, Boston Arts Academy, Boston Day & Evening Academy, Partners for Youth with Disabilities, True Colors, Reflect & Strengthen, City Stage, The Pine Street Inn, and Osher Life Long Learning Program at UMass Boston.

The Process
Subsidized tickets for these groups are made possible through collaboration with the BCA’s office of Community Engagement (provide link to BCA page here) Ticket cost is $5.00 for a teen and $10 for an adult. The groups attend SpeakEasy performances during one of the following events:

• PIZZA & PERFORMANCE theatre series - for teens (ages 13 & up)
• FRIENDS MATINEES theatre series - for adults

All groups enjoy “meet-the-actors” receptions before or after the play to share light refreshments and get an insider’s perspective.

For more information, please contact Jim Torres at 617 482-3279 or by email using our contact form.