The Victory Black Box Theatre in the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center came to life with 27 talented, passionate and enthusiastic kids and young adults, ages 5-18 from local communities recently performing in Snowy and the Seven Affirmations as part of the YMCA of South Florida’s “Teen Broadway” program.
The production, presented by Flagstar Bank, marks the sixth straight year that the Y has offered the “Teen Broadway” program, which gives kids the opportunity to experience what it takes to create a full-scale theater production and performance from scratch, while giving them the chance to speak openly and without judgement about a societal issue that they face. This enriching literacy program focuses on the arts in assisting and educating students to develop life skills such as writing, public speaking, problem-solving, team building, collaboration, creativity and media pre- and post-production.
Since its inception six years ago, more than 150 kids have participated in the program, driving more than 17,000 youth engagement hours.
Tara Montenaro, YMCA of South FL COO; Marilyn Purdy, Flagstar Bank; Carrie Eilers, Flagstar Bank; Sharon Hughes, YMCA of South FL Programs Services Director; Sheryl A. Woods, YMCA of South FL President & CEO
Lilia Ciciolla; Vice Mayor Pamela Beasley-Pittman, City of Fort Lauderdale; Mark Watson, Flagstar Bank First Senior Vice President; Carrie Eilers, Flagstar Bank; Sharon Hughes
Ka’Nai Porteifield; Olivya Alexander; Anastasia Taylor; Elise Williams; Malachi Alexander; Abigail Placide; Jahmia Defoe
Ka’Nai Porteifield and Azanah Blount
A group of talented Teen Broadway performers carry out a scene from ‘Snowy and the Seven Affirmations’
“This unique program provides our local youth with an opportunity to experience all the details that go into creating a professional theatre production,” said Sharon Hughes, Family Services Program Director for the YMCA of South Florida. “They learn about writing, acting, sound and light production, and everything else needed to successfully execute a quality performance. It provides them a safe space to talk about societal issues through acting and uses the arts to empower kids in this community and let their voices be heard while also allowing them to gain self-confidence and develop the necessary life skills to be successful, which is so important. Flagstar Bank has been a tremendous partner, and we are thrilled they had the chance to witness both performances and see our young actors develop.”
This year’s performance began in August with the students selecting a topic and theme and culminated with a pair of two-hour performances in front of packed audiences at the Victory Black Box Theatre. Snowy and the Seven Affirmations centered around the challenges today’s youth face in being themselves and overcoming the pressures to be something they are not. It focuses on Snowy, a high schooler who is bullied because she looks different than everyone else. She finds the seven affirmations – Fearless, Strength, Gracious, Talented, Loyalty, Beautiful, Appreciative – who uplift her and teach her it’s wonderful to be different.
“What I hope people took away from this production is that you are beautiful just the way you are,” said Jahziah Defoe, a 15-year-old sophomore at Fort Lauderdale High School who served as the production’s student director. “It’s important to feel confident and believe in yourself, and if anything is happening to you, please tell a trusted adult.”
“There are a lot of people in this world who are in the same situation, and it’s great to show people that it’s ok to feel this way and that you’re not alone,” added Azanah Blount, a 13–year old 8th-grader from Parkway Middle School who played the lead role of Kimora. “There are a lot of people who want to do something like this but don’t have the opportunity, and we’re getting a chance to do what we love, and that means a lot.”
Because of the program’s continued success and its impact, in 2022 and 2023 a group of Teen Broadway youth were selected by YMCA of the USA to participate in the YMCA Changemakers Youth Governors Conference in Washington, D.C., where they represented South Florida amongst Y leaders and their peers at Capitol Hill. While there, they had the chance to address and perform for members of Congress, including Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick, a U.S. representative from Fort Lauderdale.
For more information about the Y, visit ymcasouthflorida.org.
About the YMCA of South Florida
For more than a century, the YMCA has been woven into the fabric of the South Florida community. As an award-winning nonprofit, the Y is committed to strengthening community through more than 200 programs serving everyone from six months old to 100 years young. Our Family Centers and programs are inclusive, vibrant hubs of community life, offering a diverse array of classes, cutting-edge fitness facilities, life-saving aquatics, exciting community events, unforgettable camps, supportive afterschool care, and holistic health and wellness programming. At the Y, there’s something for everyone. Join the movement by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or YMCASouthFlorida.org.
About the Victory Black Box Theatre
The Victory Black Box Theatre is a 2,000-square foot full-service event space located inside the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk neighborhood. With a seating capacity of 200, a professional grade audio system and theatrical lighting capabilities, the Theatre has the capability to host performances, company gatherings, graduations, classes and parties, and is available for rent. The name pays homage to the former Victory Theatre, which stood less than a mile from the Y, and operated as early as 1945 when it was the only theatre in Fort Lauderdale where Black patrons were allowed during segregation. For more information on the Victory Black Box Theatre, please visit ymcasouthflorida.org/victorybbt/ or email VictoryBBT@ymcasouthflorida.org.
