Underground Railroad in Western New York Residency

Young Audiences of Western New York has had the unique opportunity this year to create a new residency.  With support from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, we have worked with an advisory committee to create a program around the history of the Underground Railroad in Western New York. 

The goals of this project are to create a program that gives students an opportunity to learn about our region's past, while increasing literacy and understanding of racial disparities, and access to African-American artists.  Our hope is to provide this residency in schools throughout the eight counties of Western New York for years to come.

Formed through a collaborative process, incorporating community knowledge and history through a multi-talented advisory committee, this residency provides students access to the knowledge, talent, and history passed down through generations.  It is also a new direction for Young Audiences to address serious human inequities, and to try to provide students with tools to understand a major social issue such as racism through our programs. 

Assistance from Ujima Theater Company on the development of this program has been outstanding.  Lorna C. Hill and Rahwa Ghirmatzion helped Young Audiences to identify new African-American artists for Young Audiences' roster and to refine artist's skills in presenting for children.

The series piloted at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, Lovejoy Discovery School #43, and Holley Elementary School in 2010, as well as at Saturday afternoon performances at Ujima Theater Company's TheaterLoft.

Underground Railroad in Western New York has been designed to serve children ages 5-18 and their families.  The program ties to curriculum for grades 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, or 12.  Contact our office if you are interested in bringing this residency or a selection of performances or workshops to your school.  716-881-0917 or cynnie [at] yawny [dot] org.

• Workshop descriptions may be found here
• Performance descriptions may be found here
• Artist biographies may be found here
• Advisory committee biographies may be found here

Images on this page: Annette Daniels-Taylor and Rodney Appleby.