Over the nine weeks of summer, 240 kids—as young as 4 and as grown-up as 16—participated in 170 Handful Players workshops led by our talented, dedicated team of teaching artists. The children enjoyed a spectrum of enriching performing arts activities, including theater, hip-hop dance, spoken word/rap, clowning & puppetry and storytelling.

Keeping our children inspired, energized and empowered over a long summer is a definite team effort. We couldn’t have done it without the partnership and support of these incredible San Francisco community organizations: The Buchanan YMCA, Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, Western Addition Beacon Center, Boys & Girls Clubs Don Fisher Clubhouse, Hamilton Recreation Center, Prince Hall Computer Learning Center and Up on Top.

All these efforts were on display at the Mo’Magic 2019 Summer Youth Showcase, where Handful Players performed on its biggest stage ever—at the prestigious Marines’ Memorial Theatre. In collaboration with Collective Impact, we were proud to host more than 400 members of the community, including youth, their families and program staff.

San Francisco’s Human Rights Commission curated a summer reading list for our students, with the powerful voices of such authors as Matt de la Peña and Maya Angelou. These works provided the inspiration for over a dozen performances, from short plays and puppet shows to music and dance.

And of course, magical summers like this one are made of moments both big and small. Whether in front of a full house or just a gathering of friends, the children took the stage and earned enthusiastic applause for their creative accomplishments.

Handful Players also celebrated with friends and family at end-of-summer showcases hosted by the Buchanan YMCA, Western Addition Beacon Center, Booker T. Washington and Up on Top.

We are especially thankful for the support of the California Arts Council, which helps us provide summer programs that enrich the lives and encourage the talents in our community’s youth.

Facts & Figures:
• More than 500 kids participated in Handful Players workshops, classes & performances.
• 450 workshops in musical theater, dance, puppetry, singing, spoken word, hip-hop/rap and improv/movement.
• 10 different community partner sites

A Whole Lot of New :
• An all-new hip-hop theater curriculum curated by local MC Jamaal Rahman Jamaal got the kids excited about rapping and rhyming.
• A fresh focus on mindfulness and movement from teaching artist Ben Baker gave students a creative way to channel their energy.
• Fancy footwork from choreographers Angelina Labate and Brandie Norris ranged from hip-hip to house.
• Puppeteers Laura Echegaray, Lanie Weiland and Isabel Taylor popped in to inspire kindergarteners, while teaching them storytelling and honing their motor skills.
• A newly created Handful Players Choir, featuring students from MagicZone and the Prince Hall Computer Learning Center, performed with vocalist Sara Williams.

Well Played:
• Plays, performances and crowd-pleasing community events gave the students a chance to take the stage for their parents and peers.
• Retelling stories like “Where the Wild Things Are” with a fresh rap spin.
• Spring Valley Science School 3rd-grade students used theater to tackle topics from bullying to empowerment
• Handful Players opened the 33rd Annual San Francisco Unified School District Arts Festival.
• “The Frisco Kid” premiered May 18 at the African American Art & Culture Complex starring students from Rosa Parks Elementary School.

Annual Traditions, Unforgettable Experiences:
• Handful Players attended opening night performance of “A Christmas Carol” at the American Conservatory Theater
• An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at “Cinderella” performed by the African-American Shakespeare Company.
• Our season-ending celebration with our showcase performance & community reception at the African American Art & Culture Complex.

Next up, summer! We hope you join us for another great season of workshops and events.

The talented students of Rosa Parks Elementary School recreated pivotal moments from Lonnie’s childhood when he first embraced dance at age 11. Archival images from back in the day paid homage to the Fillmore’s rich cultural history, while the kids mastered Lonnie’s funky dance moves. And Lonnie himself was there to cheer on the Handful Players, taking the stage at the end to celebrate their performance.

A tribute to the Fillmore’s vibrant past, performed by its future, “The Frisco Kid” is a testament to the value of looking back while moving forward.

Over the past eight weeks, 475 kids, ranging in age from 6 to 16 years old, participated in 155 Handful Players workshops led by our dedicated, professional teaching artists. The activities encompassed everything from theater and dance to puppetry and spoken word, with a little clowning around for good measure.

Students from nine different Western Addition community partners joined in on the fun, including the Buchanan YMCA, Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, Western Addition Beacon Center, Boys & Girls Club Don Fisher Clubhouse, Hamilton Recreation Center and Up on Top.

All that creativity, talent and hard work was on inspiring display at the Mo’Magic Summer Showcase. Held for the first time at the African American Art & Culture Complex on August 1, the event included live theater, music and dance. The kids performed in plays based on books from their summer reading lists, which were adapted by acclaimed playwright Chinaka Hodge. The dance crew brought down the house with their incredible hip-hop moves. Joyful singing and choreography rounded out the showcase.

Moments this magical should never be missed, so Handful Players presented two performances–one in the morning and another in the afternoon—accommodating an audience of 400 parents, family and friends.

The event was such a success, Handful Players offered two encore performances at the Booker T. Washington Community Center and Margaret Hayward Rec-Connect. It was Handful Players’ final performance at the Margaret Hayward Playground, which is closing for renovations. Handful Players has 12 years of fond memories working at the playground, the site of our very first community partnership. We’re excited to see the changes ahead and to take part in a new beginning. Speaking of new beginnings, watch this space for updates on our after-school programs coming this fall.

We are grateful to the California Arts Council whose support enables us to provide enriching summer programs to showcase the talent of the youth.

Before being elected and making history as San Francisco’s first African-American female mayor, London Breed made a surprise appearance at a recent Handful Players production: Roy Conboy’s play, “When the Clouds Got Stuck.” After watching the May 2018 performance at the African-American Art & Culture Complex, Mayor Breed said “those young people just put the biggest smile on my face, one that I haven’t had for a very long time.”

The mayor recalled performing on the same stage as a child and spoke passionately about the importance of the arts in youth development and creative cultural expression. “It was my first opportunity to step out on stage and be encouraged by people [like Handful Players teachers], who support young people and support making sure that they have opportunities to express themselves in such an amazing way…The arts [are] so important in transforming lives.”

To show her appreciation, the Mayor presented all of the Handful Players with certificates on behalf of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Watch Mayor London Breed’s Speech:

If that wasn’t enough, Sherri has been a steadfast supporter of Handful Players and a hands-on contributor to our success. Handful Players wishes to extend a big handful of heartfelt gratitude to Sherri for her passion, partnership, advocacy and artistry. Check out the CBS KPIX-5 video for more on Sherri’s inspiring contributions to the community.