XANDER MENDOZA
Free Street helps us with being ourselves. In the beginning (of rehearsals), everyone is shy and afraid to show themselves. Through the writing process, we get to know what people are on the inside. I like how we discuss different ideas as a group. We talk about issues in our community—it makes us really think [...]
LEAH OTTO
This past summer I learned so much, I can’t even begin to explain it. I met plenty of new amazing people. I learned how to work as a group and get the job done without complaining or being bothered by the size of the task at hand. I learned how to respond with “Ok–Let’s get [...]
MALIKAH SAUNDERS
I like how we’re free to feel our characters first: how they talk. walk, how they move and get dressed. I like how we work as an actual ensemble. Everyone has a say, can speak up and add something.It’s not scripted; it’s very hands-on. Malikah Saunders is 18 yrs. old, attends Jane Addams High School [...]
JONATHAN PACHECO
I like Free Street’s creative process because it’s like nothing I’ve ever done. I’m usually not the type of person that does certain crazy spontaneous things in front of people. The welcoming, nonjudgmental environment that my ensemble members and my instructors, Ashley and Sam have, helps me to try new things. Now I’m able to [...]
KARINA GONZALEZ
Karina (left) rehearsing at Makhampom Theatre, Thailand. 2010 Around November 2006 my mother came to me and my older brother asking “You guys wanna check out this acting place with me?” and we very enthusiastically replied “eh”. Later that day we came to Pulaski Park were we came a across a wonderful place named Free [...]
ASHLEY JOHNSON
Ashley reading to Burmese children 2010 Ashley walked through Free Street’s doors in September 2005 on direct urging from her cousin. At first, Free Street’s process seemed out of her comfort zone. She quickly recognized that for the first time, she was treated like an artist, and not a belittled teen. Five years later, Ashley [...]
