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| Antoine Joyce, All
Stars Talent Show Network’s Assistant National
Producer |
When asked how the All Stars Talent Show Network (ASTSN)
is coming along, Antoine Joyce, the ASTSN’s
assistant national producer, replied “Busy!” Since moving
to the new All Stars Center on 42nd Street the
staff of the Talent Show Network “is being pushed, but we
are stepping up to the challenge.”
What are the challenges? “To put our new space to
good use, to improve the organization of our staff, to develop
new programs, and to respond to the new opportunities that
all these changes are creating.”
One of the principle challenges, according
to Joyce is “now that we have all this space on 42nd
Street, we have to use it. For
example, now we have plenty of room to expand our youth
phone banks -- where young people call other young people
to give them up-to-date info on – and invite them to --
up-coming events, such as auditions, talent shows and special
events – like the Citywide Youth Council
on Violence in Schools, (Wed. Feb 18th, which
drew over 150 young people from all parts of the city.”)
Another challenge is “putting young people
in place to carry out important jobs. For example, this
year’s ‘host’ teams, are staffing all kinds of performances
and special events – from those at the 42nd Street
center; to talent shows, like the two at Thomas Jefferson
HS in Brooklyn in Feb. and March, which drew a combined
2500 people; to the annual Black-tie Gala at Lincoln Center
with 500 guests!”
“In addition, the ASTSN is collaborating
with Youth OnStage!, our new youth theatre,
to create our newest program -- the Hip
Hop Cabaret. The
Cabaret, which opens March 19, will offer new performance
opportunities to young people from the ASTSN Talent -- to
show off their talents.”
“Also, the Citywide Youth Council on Violence
in Schools, which kicked-off Feb 18th, is the
first of a monthly series of forums for New
York City young people to discuss
and have a voice on issues relating to school, education
and security policies.
The ASTSN is also sponsoring a Parenting Workshop. Dr. Lenora
Fulani, the co-executive producer of the ASTSN, is inviting
parents who are concerned about their children’s (and their
own) development to attend a workshop to discuss the creation
of a Parents Committee to advocate for the All Stars’ approach
to the Department of Education. “When the parents talk about
the transformation and development of their kids, it is
very moving!”
“Planning for he
Phyllis Hyman Phat
Friend Awards, which will take place in the fall, is
already underway. “It was named after Ms. Hyman, who was
the All Stars’ first celebrity spokesperson. They’re presented
annually by All Stars youth to their community heroes –
mostly ordinary adults – who demonstrate their support for
kids and youth concerns. Over several months, young people
taking part in All Stars Project youth events, nominate
deserving adults. An All Stars youth committee interviews
the nominees and the awardees are chosen from those nominees.
It is the only award in New York
given to adults by young people. Even though the awards
ceremony will not take place until October 13, nominees
are already being reviewed, with interviews planned for
next month, as the selection process builds toward the main
event!”
“And of course there are the Talent Shows themselves, the core of the program, reaching some 10,000
young people each year in New York
City alone. After the current series
in Brooklyn, we’re off to the Bronx
for our next series of auditions, workshops and talent shows!”
Finally Antoine will be one of three members
of a Talent Show team to visit the Amsterdam
All Stars Conference, to help them “continue to learn
the approach of the All Stars.”
“If you’d like to get involved as a performer,
contact me at 212-941-9400 ext. 347 or at ajoyce@allstars.org
; if you’re interested
in volunteering, contact Julie Lenner
at 212-941-9400 ext. 336 or jlenner@allstars.org.
If you’d like to make a donation, please contact Jason Wu
at 212-941-9400 ext. 324 or click on the following link
to donate online!” DONATE
Thanks!
Antoine
