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.
This semester, there are after-school playwriting workshops happening throughout LA County where groups of talented students are learning to work together as an ensemble to create one amazing original play. These works will be presented as Page Plays, public staged readings performed by professional Hollywood actors with scripts in hand, with our students there to walk you through their creative process. Honor their voices by joining us as an audience member and bear witness to their work.
Sepulveda Middle School students will perform their originally-written play from Fall 2019, “The Three Royals of Euphoria.” Synopsis: When the Kingdom of Euphoria runs out of money, the King and Queen tell their children they must marry royals from an enemy kingdom to save Euphoria. The children instead embark on a dangerous quest for a magic gem that can help them save the kingdom. Along the way, the kids learn about courage, teamwork, and the responsibility of great power. Admission is free and open to the public. *Please email us at rsvp@theunusualsuspects.org to attend*
San Fernando High School students will perform their originally-written play from Fall 2019, “Blood Over Water.” 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. Admission is free and open to the public. *Please email us at rsvp@theunusualsuspects.org to attend*
San Fernando High School students will perform their originally-written play from Fall 2019, “Blood Over Water.” 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. Admission is free and open to the public. *Please email us at rsvp@theunusualsuspects.org to attend*
