R.Evolucion Latina achieves new milestone with 11th Annual Performing Arts Camp

This year's R.Evolución Latina Summer Camp has been a total hit. Broadway and NYC performing artists donated their time and talents, once again as teaching artists at the 11th Annual Dare to Go Beyond (D2GB) Children's Performing Arts Camp. The camp aligned with summer programming that has been taking place since June in Puerto Rico. NYC's camp focused on "Art Rebuilds" giving campers a voice, and supporting those in need that are near and far.

Children from the five boroughs of New York City spent a week together being empowered through the arts thanks to artists from the Broadway and NYC artistic communities.

The 2018 teaching artists included Nate Lombardi (The Groovy Project), Jorge Iván Latorre "Chicle" Clown/Comedian, Jerome Harmann (Dirty Dancing), Joomin Hwang (The Prom), Dionne Figgins (Motown), Becca Larkin (Ave. Q), Roddy Kennedy (Hamilton), Nicholas Mason (Newsies), Ehizoje Azeke (Beyonce, Madonna dancer), Whitney Renee (Ragtime), Valeria Cossu (Mayumana), Dr. Drum & Bomba-Yo, Sunilda Reyes, Danielle Pretsfelder (Nickelodeon), Luis Salgado (On Your Feet), and special guest Mandy Gonzalez who is currently playing Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton.

Team Captains: Zuleinette Ralat, Marianel Marquez, Samia Omari, Igor Correa and Facundo A. Ortigoza. Volunteer leaders Adam Bourque, Nedelka Sotelo, Melissa Barajas, Matt Ting, Diana Victoria, Krystal You, Angelica Ramirez, and Nathan Rodriguez, plus additional volunteers throughout the week. Carla Rodriguez was the Program Coordinator, and camp staff.

"These kid's energy and celebration of LIFE," Roddy Kennedy (HAMILTON), one of the teachers at the Camp, explains when asked about what's the most valuable thing he has found working with the children at the camp. "They are so appreciative to have a program like this. These kids are NEW YORK CITY. They live sleep and breathe NY through and though. I think their honesty in their emotions are what keep a realistic reflection of how children feel growing up in NY.

Sunilda Reyes says: "Their openness to try something new! I teach improv, and there's nothing scarier than stepping on stage with no script or idea of what's going to happen. And even when they could seem scared or apprehensive, they chose to dare to go beyond!"

The camp took on a new structure this year and welcomed a team of hand selected leaders to provide an even more nurturing process to allow campers to grow and believe in themselves.

"I want the students to accept it is okay to be themselves, be fearless, take risks, and go above and beyond. I think it is a lifestyle you can practice and also get use you," Joomin Hwang adds.

"At the end of the day, I want them to have a truer sense of self empowerment," Roddy Kennedy says. "That they can GO OUT and DO and BE anything they put their mind and hard work into. That what each personal unique DNA make up each one posses is enough to contribute in any situation."

Founded in 2008, the D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp provides free-of-charge classes in dance, voice, acting and other performance disciplines to children ages 7 to 17 from multiple schools and community organizations from across the city. The program is possible through the generosity of the Herman Goldman Foundation. Additional support is provided by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Pearl Studios, GrowNYC and Starlight Deli.

"I think R.Evolución Latina showed not only future talents but also how the world should head to with their own piece of short play on the stage" Joomin Hwang reflects. "That was such a wonderful thing to see and remind it to myself.

These teachers, Broadway artists, have been empowered and inspired by R.Evolución Latina. "They inspires me to remember to always take risk. To be ok with being vulnerable," Ronny Kennedy says. "To do at least one thing that scares me daily. Dare to go beyond isn't just a saying but to remind myself of believing I can and embodying it. To also know that it's ok to fail" R.Evolución's message for Sunilda Reyes is "Community community community! It feels good to support and feel supported in a field that sometimes can make you feel insecure, and lonely."

R.Evolución Latina (RL) is an organization that empowers the artistic community, and inspires growth within the Latino community through educational support programs, productions and partnerships. With the slogan "Dare to Go Beyond", the organization is modeled on what it calls "The Circle Effect", a platform that seeks to create a multilevel, multicultural, and multigenerational community where leaders are nurtured and supported, and they in turn make a difference and support others in their neighborhood. RL's most celebrated programs include the Beyond Workshop Series, an adult educational scholarship for professional and emerging artists, and the D2GB School Arts Program, which brings teaching artists to New York City schools year-round. The program integrates theater, dance, and music into the classroom to enhance achievement in math, science, literacy, languages, problem-solving, and critical thinking, among other areas.

For information about all of R.Evolución Latina's educational, community, and international partnership programs, the public can visit www.REvolucionLatina.org