Over the past 12 weeks, students from ReStart at Prospect and Lower East Side Prep had the opportunity to participate in a dynamic drama program made possible through a generous collaboration with YAI. The program was led by teaching artists Dylan Burke and Shedania Davis, with invaluable support from student support staff at both sites. Throughout the program, students created original spoken word poetry, artwork, and dramatic skits exploring powerful themes such as mental health, family dynamics, dating relationships, and identity. The experience culminated in a heartfelt performance where students shared their work with peers and staff. “Dylan and Shedania made me feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings in a creative way,” shared one student.
