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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 needed to be heard. 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.
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.
additional long-term cost to state or California investing in youth incarceration vs. aversion/prevention programs
annual cost to incarcerate
ONE youth in L.A. County
under-resourced youth living in L.A
County
cost to educate one
Unusual Suspect youth
spent in savings to communities investing
diversion/ prevention programs
number of youth served
annually through us
When we reflect on the outcomes of those who participate in our programs, who then go on to graduate, gain employment, contribute to their communities and break generational systemic cycles of poverty.
Participants in our school and after school programs gained life long skills, learning and innovation skills
Increased Social Skills & Productivity by 35%
Increased in collaboration,
communication & critical
thinking by 36%
of our incarcerated, core participants agreed they learned "to respect people that are different than me"
of incarcerated minors increased their ability to manage 30% emotions in positive ways
of core participants improved their vocabulary score
of core program participants reported an increased feeling of self-confidence
*Evaluation data above is a combined average of recent results and fluctuates mildly per semester and year.
original plays
created
public
performances
audience
members
individuals served, including incarcerated youth
adults
served
virtual workshops offered, as well as dozens of pre-recorded lessons to aid partnering schools and detention facilities in low-income areas with online educational tools and resources
locations including, 19+
juvenile detention centers
individuals provided with cross-training services, professional development and mentorship
working as
Volunteers
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and I am an alumna. When I was 16 The Unusual Suspects and I found each other. I always had the sense that I was going somewhere, that I was going to succeed, I just didn’t know how. Through this experience I discovered my voice and my pathway to college and beyond.
Your contributions are essential. Thanks to your support, we are investing in our communities and empowering the hardest to reach youth of Los Angeles to create new story lines in their own lives every day.
and I am an LAUSD teacher. The Unusual Suspects instill excitement, interest and competency in learning using creative interventions for our students at San Fernando High School. These vital skills, and learned self esteem are forever lessons that students use throughout their lives. Thank you US!
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 are proud to be able to still provide the opportunity, virtually, for our youth or supporters.
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 continue to implement alternative programming through digital platforms, and will share developments as they occur.
Please note: Due to the COVID-19/novel coronavirus pandemic, our upcoming youth performances are now virtual!
300 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 9
Pasadena, CA 91105
(323) 739-0768
info@theunusualsuspects.org
© 2022 The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company, All Rights Reserved.