Improvisation at Arlington Detention Center

Heard, originated and directed by the applicant, is a nonprofit based in Alexandria that brings creative arts to marginalized adults in Arlington and Alexandria. We want to offer improvisation (improv) to the inmates of our program partner the Arlington County Detention Facility (ACDF) beginning in September. We offered a one-time improv program there in February and it was a huge hit among both men and women (classes must be separated by gender). The inmates and staff both asked us to return. Improv has proven to be a strong life-skills teacher, using practical experience and humor. Our improv teacher has an extensive background in impro training with businesses, nonprofits, and government, has performed with one of the country's largest improv groups and trained with The Second City, the famous improv school that provides many of the stars of Saturday Night Live. We have testimonies from our other partners at Friends of Guest House and the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center, and the clients, where improv is offered on a recurring basis, on how improv has visibly helped their clients with their interpersonal skills and relationships.

Financé par Northern Virginia (NOVA) (December 2019)