All Stars Project President, Gabrielle L. Kurlander

In the fall of 2003, the All Stars Project (ASP) fulfilled its longtime dream: we
officially opened our new center, All Stars Project on 42nd Street. Now we are experiencing the tremendous growth that our new location—our new stage—brings. The ASP has greatly expanded its programs, offering young people many new learning opportunities.

Thanks to the support from thousands of people, we are creating the ASP on 42nd Street as a performing arts and learning institution like no other, dedicated to the development of our young people, our communities, and the cultural life of our city. Here are some highlights from a year in-progress:

Theatre for the Whole City, our new program of theatre and performance offerings, is quickly living up to its name. In just six months more than 6,000 people have come to our three theatres on 42nd Street to see plays that are challenging, socially conscious, and entertaining. We launched an exciting new theatre program for young people, Youth Onstage! and the young performers of the All Stars Talent Show Network (ASTSN), led by Pam Lewis, Director of Youth Programs, continued to light up community stages this season in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and in the South Bronx. As well, our ASTSN programs in Atlanta, Georgia, in Oakland, California, and in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) have grown significantly in this period. The Joseph A. Forgione Development School for Youth (JAF-DSY) has had a banner year, with 500 students participating in New York and New Jersey. We’ve now enrolled students through the spring class of 2006. Our internship program shows significant growth and New Jersey’s DSY, directed by Gloria Strickland, graduated a record 59 students this year.

While the number of young people involved in our programs continues to grow, our work has reached new levels of effectiveness and exposure. The ASP has received important endorsements this year from Mayor Michael Bloomberg and from Harvard’s Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.. And in his new book, Silent Covenants: Brown V. Board of Education and the Unfulfilled Hopes for Racial Reform, (Oxford Press), Professor Derrick Bell, Harvard’s first tenured black professor and veteran civil rights lawyer, cites the ASTSN and the JAF-DSY as examples of successful educational efforts that provide young people with the motivation to learn. The ASP continues its effort to advance the discoveries in supplementary education. In February, ASP founder Dr. Lenora Fulani launched The Research Center at ASP on 42nd Street, which involves educators and researchers interested in investigating new learning approaches. I am proud to report that we have raised $26 million for the 2000-2006 Campaign for the All Stars. The President’s Committee continues to grow, with new friends and old friends making record investments in all areas of our work. Even as we make significant capital investments, our commitment to program growth in the community is as strong as ever. Many thanks to all who have supported our growth. Onward to a great 2004-2005 theatre season and school year!