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OSP Successes

  • In the summer of 2009 the A.C.T.I.O.N. Project partnered with Lotus, GMAD and Project Heat to interview young people infected and affected by HIV. Participants took the stories and created individual and group poems, a street theatre piece and a documentary. In partnership with Metro Teen Aids, participants performed their poetry and theatre pieces on the streets of Washington DC; they also distributed condoms and testing information and collected questionnaires. The group stayed at Georgetown University where they received a tour, they also toured and performed at Howard University, and Busboys and Poets Cafe. In the Fall participants planned and executed The Red Party to help raise awareness of the epidemic in the Bronx. Over 120 teens were in attendance and 80 were tested on site.

  • On March 20th A.C.T.I.O.N. participants led a one hour interactive workshop on how to incorporate visual art, poetry and theatre in a social justice issue at the 2010 NYCORE : The Struggle for Justice Does not End When the School Bell Rings conference.

  • In the Spring, BAC participant Christopher Aracena's "Imagination," piece is a finalist in the 2009 Congressional Art Competition. He made it onto a short list of regional finalists and his painting was displayed in the congressional district offices in the Bronx.

  • During the summer of 2009 BAC members worked over 20 hrs to curate the new DreamYard Art Center.

  • On Feb 14, 2009 BAE hosted Show Some Love, a collection of 10 minute plays all written, directed and performed by group members. Over 100 people attended the show which was held at BADD in the Bronx.

  • In the Spring of 2009 BAE wrote, produced and acted in their first full production Is Anybody Listening. The story of residents in a Bronx building all struggling during rough economics times but coming together as a community to support each other. The play was based on the works of Studs Turkel and interviews BAE participants did with Bronx residents. It was performed at Pregones Theatre for over 120 people.

  • For their first joint project BAC and BAE decided to perform an adaption of an Anansi folktale for neighborhood families. BAE members wrote their our version of the classic tale while BAC participants created elaborate costumes. BAC participants also led audience members through an art making workshop create noise makers that were incorporated into the show. Anansi the Spider was performed over 4 days to various day cares and elementary school classes.

  • Over it's first year BPP has hosted 3 Open Mics for friends and community members. Poets of all ages can take the stage and share original work, favorite poems, monologues, and other creative writing in a safe and supportive atmosphere where participants and guests get comfortable presenting and are inspired by their peers.

  • Before every open mic BPP participants get a master class taught by guests poets. Participants are led through a variety of writing exercises as well as a reading of original work by the poet. Past guest poets have included Reynold Martin, Randall Horton, and Parneshia Jones.

  • Out of School Programs Associate Director Evelyn Bojorquez attends the 9th annual Teachers for Social Justice conference in San Francisco in October 2009.

  • First annual all OSP New Years family potluck is a huge success with over 90 people in attendance with participants, parents and families from each program present.

  • After the devastating 7.0 earthquake on January 12th, OSP started raising money for the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Deschapelles, Haiti. Our goal is to raise $1000.00. For every dollar donated, OSP participants will make and hang a paper crane in the DreamYard Art center. According to Japanese tradition, if you make a 1000 paper cranes your wish is granted. The difficult process of crane making is a labor of love. Each crane is a symbol of our community's effort, dedication and wishes for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake. Please help to bring us one crane closer to our wish by donating a dollar and sending your love to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

  • Robyne Walker Murphy (OSP Director), Ama Codjoe (Teaching Artist-A.C.T.I.O.N. Project), Austin Greene (Teaching Artist-A.C.T.I.O.N. Project) and Ellen Hagen (Teaching Artist-Bronx Poetry Project and Bronx Writes Coordinator) conducted a workshop at the Annual Split This Rock Poetry Festival in Washington, D.C. The workshop, Poetic Exploration, used theatre, dance and visual art to create community poems that crossed disciplines and created dialogue for social justice.
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