Causes: Arts & Culture, Arts Education, Environment, Environmental Education, Theater

Mission: Traveling Players Ensemble was founded in 2003 by Producing Artistic Director Jeanne E. Harrison as an educational theatre company based in McLean, Virginia. Geared toward teens and pre-teens, the mission of Traveling Players is to enhance self-expression, self-reliance, problem-solving skills, and heighten appreciation of challenges and beauty by bringing great theatre into the great outdoors. Our mission reflects the earliest origins of theatre, when traveling minstrels and theatre troupes roamed the ancient and medieval countryside, relying on the barest props and the boldest imagination to convey their art. We provide a year-round artistic community for youth, developing their skills on and off the stage. During our award-winning summer camp, students camp out, rehearse, and perform outdoors in beautiful and historic places, like the Shenandoah National Park and Colonial Williamsburg, cultivating stronger, more adaptable and more capable artists and individuals. Over the academic year, we offer innovative acting classes and production opportunities. In 2020, we will open a Studio in Tysons Corner Center, allowing us to expand our programming and serve even more young artists seeking rigorous training in a nurturing environment.

Results: Over 5,2000 happy campersOver 600 performancesOver $200,000 in scholarship awards granted

Target demographics: current 3-12 graders who are seeking theatre training

Direct beneficiaries per year: Over 800 students!

Geographic areas served: McLean, Virginia -- serving the greater DC-metro area

Programs: year-round acting training -- innovative, intimate, rigorous and fun! Summer camps, acting classes, pre-professional acting training, and school residencies.