Public Art: All Stars Project

The non-profit All Stars Project founded in 1981 creates outside of school, educational and performing arts activities for tens of thousands of inner-city youth. One of the All Stars projects, established by Susan Jaffe, American Ballet Theatre prima ballerina, is the All Stars Artist Committee which partners leading performing artists with young people from inner city communities.  Artist committee members lend their talent and energies to connect young people to the broader world of culture. Members include: Fran Drescher, Charles S. Dutton, Bill T. Jones, Donna Murphy, Desmond Richardson and Daphne Rubin-Vega, among others.

Its flagship program, the All Stars Talent Show Network, involves young people, ages 5 to 25, in creating developmental culture through producing and performing in weekend talent shows in their neighborhoods. Young people perform as rappers, singers and dancers, and everyone who auditions makes it into the show! Young people also learn how to organize the productions, performing as ushers, ticket sellers, technical and house staff, box office staff, and stagehands. The All Stars next cycle of events will be held in South Ozone Park in Queens, New York this fall. For information on how to audition for a show, or volunteer, call 212-356-8447 or visit www.allstars.org!  (Below: Bill T. Jones with youth performers)