Arts Ignite (formerly ASTEP)

We had a spectacular time hosting our "Writing My Own History!" Workshop at the 2024 Stage the Change Conference, which empowers over 500 high school students to become global citizens through creativity and performance. We got to see our very own founder, Mary Mitchell Campbell, speak with honorary board member Kristin Chenoweth in an outstanding student-led panel discussion. When asked about tips for young performers and artists on their journey into professional spaces, Mary Mitchell wisely shared this quote: “Vulnerability is our window into your soul. It’s also the way we can connect with each other, and the way that we can create empathy with each other.” We are so inspired by our founder, her commitment to the arts, and her wisdom about authenticity and vulnerability in art spaces. Check out the highlights! We are so proud! Mary-Mitchell Campbell Lindsay Roberts Greene Marie Klepacz Reuben Sack Stage the Change Inc.

We are SO excited to have launched a "Let's Dance!" Residency at a local Young Women’s Leadership School... and this time, we're touching down in Brooklyn! The 6th Grade students at TYWLS Brooklyn did NOT come to play yesterday-- they absolutely killed it with TA Morgan! As always, we are so proud to bring programming to this community. We can’t wait to see what else is in store! Student Leadership Network

Check out this dynamic theater-based workshop for educators in NYC last week (with a cameo from our ED as one of the facilitators)! The energy from all the participants was infectious... who said Professional Development couldn't be fun? #ArtsIgnite #NYCDOE

What do Arts Ignite & our partner, Apex for Youth, have in common? Our missions are to EMPOWER youth to unlock possibilities for themselves! We had an amazing time at our most recent theater workshop with them! #ArtsIgnite #ApexforYouth

2024 is flying by right before our eyes! We wanted to take a moment to welcome all of the new Arts Ignite Board Members who joined us this year! Thank you for all that you do to support us and the youth we work with-- we are so glad to have you on our team. If you're interested in learning more about the wonderful Board Members of Arts Ignite pictured here, check out their bios on our website: https://artsignite.org/ #ArtsIgnite #MeetTheMakers #welcomeaBOARD

Announcing the STAR-STUDDED Cast for the 2024 New York City Christmas Concert! We have some FABULOUS performers lined up for you all— including luminaries such as Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid, The Phantom of the Opera), Lindsay Mendez (Carousel, Wicked), Jessica Vosk (Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof), Zachary Noah Piser (KPOP, Dear Evan Hansen), Ximone Rose (Into the Woods, Once On This Island), Claire Kwon (Almost Famous), Chester Gregory (Motown: The Musical, Hairspray), Lauren Pritchard, and Sally Wilfert (Assassins, Trevor: A New Musical)! More performers will be announced! Don’t wait to buy your tickets— you won’t want to miss this show! ?????? #nycxmas

?? Happy Halloween! For our Teaching Artists, costumes aren’t just for today—they’re part of the job! ??? Whether stepping into character on Broadway or in the classroom, our TAs bring creativity and fun every day. Meet Marcus, the standby Genie in Aladdin on Broadway, whose talent lights up every Arts Ignite program. Austen, currently Glinda in Wicked on tour, has shared her skills worldwide in over a decade with us. And Shavey, the understudy for Max in Sunset Boulevard, inspires students in our Richmond programs daily. These incredible Teaching Artists bring our programs to life, making a lasting impact on young artists everywhere!

Meet Michelle! Our fabulous new graduate fellow with a passion for the arts, equity for all learners, and cute dogs + karaoke, has hit the ground running with us this fall. We are so excited to have her on the team!????

One thing about Arts Ignite—we keep it busy, even in the summer sun! From workshops to camps and residencies, we had an amazing time collaborating with our partners to light up the season. As fall settles in, we’re excited for all the creative adventures still to come. ???? #ArtsIgniteSummer #FallIntoCreativity

Over the past weekend, our fabulous Teaching Artist Taylor Symone Jackson taught a theater workshop for local youth with the WP Theater at Goddard Riverside Community Center for a fun-filled event that focused on crafting original characters and storytelling through movement! The youth tapped into their creative genius, which culminated with amazing creations such as “Puppycat”, “Jack Fuzzyvest”, and a new iteration of “Bob the Builder”! Here’s to many more!