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The Riot Stage Original Play Series's Fundraiser
Power a Bold New Youth Theater Movement from Stage to Screen
Help young performers and audiences discover Shakespeare’s lasting wisdom through an unforgettable creative experience
When my middle school Shakespeare program was paused, I was heartbroken, but I also knew I did not want that experience to disappear for me or for other students. Shakespeare had given me so much: confidence, creativity, community, and a deeper understanding of people and storytelling. So I decided to do something about it.
I founded The Riot Stage to create a bold new kind of youth theater company, one that makes Shakespeare exciting, relevant, cinematic, and alive for a new generation. With the help of my former teacher and mentor, Zoey Zimmerman, we built a company where young artists can engage deeply with timeless material while creating original work for both stage and screen.
Your donation will help us produce our newest Riot Stage Play Series project, bringing this ambitious live production and filmed component to life. More than that, it will help give young people the chance to experience the power of Shakespeare in a way that feels immediate, meaningful, and their own.
- Samantha Leeds, (age 15) Founder & Company Director at The Riot Stage