A Theatre, Education and Community Building Program For Homeless Children Builders of the New World is a life-changing after-school theatre and education program for homeless children that improves reading, writing and presentational skills, instills discipline and self-esteem, and inspires the children to make educational choices today to achieve success tomorrow. Our Spring session will begin in March 2008 and will finish with a graduation celebration and performance in June 2008.

Created and taught by ATW's Artistic Director Thurman E. Scott, for 14 years the award-winning Builders program has brought together professional theatre artists and professionals from a wide range of backgrounds to provide children residing in transitional housing facilities with a clean, stable environment, hot, nutritious meals, and the creative tools to look beyond their current challenges to a future where their dreams are achieved and they fulfill their potential as contributing citizens by creating tangible solutions to the world's needs.

Through a journey of creative development at ATW by both children and adults, individuals experience an enlightment that propels them to look beyond their own needs, feel curiosity about life, empathy for others, and commit themselves to building their communities.

By helping them use their imaginations and teaching them reading, writing, presentational, life, and community skills, Builders of the New World helps the children overcome their present circumstances, enkindles their ambition, and sets them on a path to fulfill their potential as contributing citizens.

Support the Vision of Helping Children to Fulfill Their Potential

We invite you to get involved and apply to participate in the program. As a Mentoring and Programming Assistant, you will participate in committees under the direction of Mr. Scott and the supervision of theatre staff. The committees will support the vision and successful accomplishment of the program by assisting with the administration of the program. There are many different areas of responsibility that must be fulfilled to deliver the program. Some of these include securing in-kind donations for the classes and final performance; typing and organizing the children's stories and cataloging their art work; setting up and breaking down the theater facility before and after the Tuesday class; planning and executing the final performance and celebration; preparing flyers, graphics, programs, and other marketing materials for the final performance; reaching out to government and business leaders, and prominent members of the community to attend the final performance, and serving as a liaison with the residential facilities where the children reside. In addition, you will support the weekly classes with the children in a variety of capacities.

As a Mentoring and Program Assistant, your commitment will include: