WHO WE ARE
We are a group of dedicated educators, writers, actors, directors, mentors and volunteers who transform hearts, minds, lives and communities by empowering young people to own and share their stories.
We are a group of dedicated educators, writers, actors, directors, mentors and volunteers who transform hearts, minds, lives and communities by empowering young people to own and share their stories.
In collaborative workshop settings, we mentor youth to write and perform their stories, using theater to champion those most desperate to be heard and toughest to reach. We teach confidence, choice, hope, and empathy.
Every child from every neighborhood deserves a place to belong, the freedom to safely express themselves, an opportunity to be seen, heard, and known, and the chance to dream and achieve beyond their circumstance.
For over 20 years, The Unusual Suspects has responded to the systemic challenges facing Los Angeles’ youth. The Unusual Suspects participants break patterns of recidivism, gang activity and violence, and go on to be graduates, dreamers, leaders and mentors who are engaged in and give back to their communities.
Please note: Due to the latest developments around the COVID-19/novel coronavirus pandemic, including recent announcements by LAUSD, Governor Newsom, Mayor Garcetti, President Trump, and the CDC, under direction from LAUSD and public health officials, many of our upcoming youth performances have been postponed until further notice.
Performance season typically allows US participants to share their playwriting and performance accomplishments by presenting their original work to a captivated audience. These final performances are the culmination of our programs, and we regret that we will not be able to offer these performances, as originally scheduled, for our youth or supporters this spring.
Our workshops leading up to those performances — taught by our highly skilled teaching artists and guided by our committed volunteer mentors — are uniquely crafted to provide our students a safe place for expression and an environment in which they can grow in their academic and social lives. As we adapt to the changing landscape, please know that we are actively trying to implement alternative programming through digital platforms, and will share developments as they occur.
Click here for community resources regarding Covid-19. Due to the latest developments around COVID-19/novel coronavirus, and under direction from LAUSD and public health officials, Unusual Suspects performances will not be presented in-person until it is deemed safe to do so. The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company is committed to the health and safety of all our constituents as well as members of the community. As we continue to monitor the situation, we will keep you informed of any further developments. Please feel free to contact us at info@theunusualsuspects.org for additional information. For the most up-to-date information on 2019-nCoV, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
San Fernando High School students will share a recording of their live performance of their originally-written play from Fall 2019, “Blood Over Water.” The online viewing will be followed by a moderated post-show discussion of the play’s themes.* Synopsis: The relationship between the Sea Dwellers and the Land Dwellers is a strained one due to the human pollution entering the ocean. To make matters worse, BETTE, a human mafia boss, and LILITH, a devious siren, have joined forces to start a war amongst the two factions. It is up to BETTE’s twin sister ROWENA to uncover their evil plan and stop the war before it is too late. *Those who are interested should email adrienne@theunusualsuspects.org for a link to the online viewing event.
Students, parents, and elders come together for our community based, intergenerational playwriting and performance workshop. Our intergenerational Neighborhood Voices program is a 12-week intensive workshop that brings parents and adult community members together to create & perform their own modernized fable alongside their children and other youth from their community. The unique experience provides valuable mirroring & mentoring opportunities for the underserved youth who are the focus of our work. *If interested, please contact adrienne@theunusualsuspects.org for a link to the online event.*
