Will Power Troupe is the only US group invited to perform in London’s Shakespeare Festival. We need your help to bring the USA to UK!
In November, 2013, the United States of America sent a young troupe of actors from Odyssey Institute, a charter school in rural Arizona, to the United Kingdom to perform on a London Stage. After going through the application process, this group of young actors and Shakespeare enthusiasts and their Directors would become the very first school from the United States ever to be invited to perform in the Largest Shakespeare Festival in the world. They were also the only school out of one thousand that year to perform Shakespeare’s controversial comedy, The Taming of the Shrew.
Before we began our journey, we were very fortunate to be recognized by the Arizona State Senate for our efforts in becoming the only school in the United States to perform in London.
What was the result? A standing ovation, brilliant review by a professional London stage director, and an invitation to return in November, 2014 to perform again. This time, the festival coordinator offered to put us on two stages in London. We are now not only the only school once again from the United States to perform in the festival, we are also the only school present invited to perform twice in two different professional London venues.
William Shakespeare has brought a new and vibrant light into our middle and high school. He has our scholars excited about story, drama, history, and bringing timeless characters to life in new ways and interpretations on the stage. This opportunity has not only strengthened our already growing performing arts program at The Odyssey, but it is also creating a culture for the arts to grow and flourish in Arizona’s small and rural West Valley that is sure to have a strong impact on future generations.
We never want to have financial struggles be a barrier to our scholars if their dreams to grow as creative professionals and performers are passionate ones. It is our goal to make this opportunity available to all scholar-actors, regardless of their financial situation at home. The art of theater and performing is such a powerful expression outlet for our youth, and we believe that offering our scholars the chance to perform in the Shakespeare Schools Festival and throughout the year on our home stage will give them a powerful voice and help them uncover gifts they never realized they had inside.
Theater brings beloved characters and timeless stories to life. That is powerful! We hope that you might find it in your heart and within your means to become a patron of the arts and help support our scholars, most of whom have never traveled outside of the state, much less on an airplane. Your donation will not only help send a young actor to perform on the London stage and represent our state and country abroad, but it will also develop opportunities for the arts to blossom right here in the West Valley for future generations.
The Odyssey Family of Schools is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization. Also, if you are a resident of the state of Arizona, you may also qualify for the Arizona State Tax Credit Program. Taxpayers filing as “single” and “head of household” status may claim a maximum credit of $200. Taxpayers filing as “married filing separate” may claim a maximum credit of $200. Taxpayers that file as “married filing joint” may claim a maximum credit of $400. Our (EIN) Tax ID Number is: 26-2253742. Please consult your accountant for tax deductible related questions. www.kickstarter.com
Thank you so much for your support of the arts, our youth and the theater community!
