Every year, City at Peace DC serves between 50 and 70 DC, Maryland and Virginia youth, ages 13 to 19, in its core program. Each school year begins a new season. The cast works together for an average of 15 hours per week from September until June to examine the issues, topics and concerns that keep us divided. By writing and performing an original musical based on their lives, they create effective solutions and help to change the lives of people they know.

City at Peace DC is transformative. We transform lives though a singular blend of performing arts and training in conflict resolution, cross-cultural sensitivity, leadership and self-awareness. We challenge young people to explore the roots of inequity and injustice in their own lives and the lives of others, to dramatize those conflicts in authentic, passionate terms, and to suggest new and creative resolutions through techniques acquired in rehearsal. By listening, empathizing deeply and enacting each others’ stories, our young people bear witness—in the most compelling and public ways imaginable—to the possibilities of change and peace in personal life and the lives of our communities. As an alumna of the program recently reflected, “If we want to leave this country in the hands of people who are responsible, who are honest, who are communicative, who are positive thinkers, I believe that we have to start with a place like City at Peace.”

The values and skills learned through City at Peace DC stay with cast members for life, giving them strategies to deal with oppression and violence in their homes, circle of friends, schools and communities.

The impact extends well beyond the more than 750 cast members who have benefited directly since 1994. Over 30,000 audience members have seen our performances. Alumni have gone on to teach what they learned to peers, siblings, and neighbors, and to bring City at Peace to other cities around the country and the world. Audience members gain a new sensitivity to youth issues, and often become ardent supporters and advocates.

Evaluations show that young people leave City at Peace DC with a greater interest in other cultures, with close friends from different races and ethnicities, and with stronger conflict-solving and anger management skills. In addition, they have the courage and skills to stand up to injustice, overcome prejudice, take responsibility for their own behavior, and engage in honest conversations with family and friends. Many are inspired to go to college or pursue new careers because of their expanded sense of what is possible in life.

In addition, working on a theatrical production provides young people with enduring, meaningful benefits and opportunities that are different from other youth development programs. Cast members:

• Enjoy extended, positive one-on-one time with adults as they learn and rehearse their parts
• Use their new conflict resolution skills backstage and onstage
• Demonstrate increased responsibility, accountability, discipline, and teamwork
• Display enriched listening and language skills
• Acquire improved networking skills
• Boost their self-worth.