Our Vision:
To Transform.
We give youth a safe space to explore their voice, share their stories, and transform their experience through the power of performance art.
What We Do
PlayWrite, Inc. is a performance arts-based program that helps youth at the edge* transform their lives by sharing their stories. In workshop settings, we guide young people from underserved and high-risk populations to explore and creatively reclaim the potency of their experiences.
*Youth at the edge
was used by an early group of PlayWrite kids to describe themselves.
It stuck.
Our Impact
20
Years
PlayWrite programs are guided by an inspiration to serve and backed by scientific data that demonstrates creative process positively impacts neurophysiology.
130
Workshops
We offer workshops for young people age 12-21 at alternative schools and organizations throughout Portland, Oregon and the surrounding metro area as well as online.
28,980
Hrs of 1:1 time with youth
Approximately 80% of the youth served and supported by our programs have experienced childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect. Trust is important.
Our Programs
PlayWrite fosters a safe space for marginalized and at-risk youth to transform their visions of themselves through supported self-discovery and the power of performance art.
At the heart of our programs is a three-pronged workshop approach that focuses on trust, skill building, and communication. PlayWrite coaches and professional actors work one-on-one with participants, guiding them to become empowered writers and directors of their unique stories. From 3-Day workshops to 10-Day intensives, PlayWrite touches and transforms kids’ lives.
PlayWrite, Inc. workshops. . .
Build Resilience
Kids can better manage themselves when offered the skills to process and communicate their feelings. With appropriate support via community and positive feedback, physical health and behavior can improve.
Help Cultivate Confidence
Confidence can be nurtured and has been shown to have useful and beneficial effects on an individual’s overall ability to positively contribute to groups and communities.
Support Creative Expression
Reflective writing exercises combined with exploring emotion through movement and sound may be a potent mechanism for assisting young participants in removing blocks to communication.
Are Backed By Neuroscience
Studies show cognitive function is impaired when the brain has been affected by stress, trauma, and abuse. Memory retention is reduced, and learning or storing new information is difficult.
Get Involved
Stay Connected
Your support means so much to us and to the kids we help. Let’s stay in touch! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for ongoing updates. Subscribe to our newsletter. And stay tuned to our blog.
Book a Workshop
Our workshop will bring a team of professionally trained PlayWrite coaches and actors to your school or organization for three to ten days. Contact us to schedule a workshop experience today.
Make a Donation
PlayWrite is grateful to the community of donors that keeps our work alive. Please consider contributing! Every gift, of any size, helps support our youth. Your donation could change a young life.
“
The Oregonian
…students are asked to populate their play with characters who are not human, they’re pushed to draw from their own lives to make these characters seem as authentic as possible. This is where it gets hard. Because sometimes, real feels too real…
