Community Based Research and Learning

In addition to serving as a convener of faculty, staff and students who engage in ongoing community work, the  Center's community-based research and learning component will add service clinics, community based learning opportunities, and class based/curriculum based projects. The initial work in this area will be rooted in the ongoing work of key faculty who already conduct community based learning and research as part of their courses.

Theater for Young Audiences

Theater for Young Audiences is a collaboration between the Department of Theater & Dance, Fremont Middle School, and The Draper Center for Community Partnerships.  This course is led by Rose Portillo, Pomona College '75, an accomplished theater and visual artist, as well as an experienced youth arts programmer and instructor.

This year long course meets twice weekly.  After a month of initial skill building, one session each week is spent at Fremont Middle School working with the participants.  College students develop theater literacy, mentorship and teaching skills, and are involved in every aspect of the middle school sessions and the final production at Pomona College in the Spring. They co-create curriculum, lead activities and small discussion groups, and support the creation and performance of the production.  The Fremont students not only perform in the production, but are instrumental in the creation of the piece.  The play is created with their writing, which highlights their lived experiences around the chosen theme.  Last year's theme was gender and stereotypes in Shakespeare's 12th night.  The Fremont students also participate in decisions around staging, acting, costume design, and general production needs.