OUR VISION
The performing arts have power to change individuals, communities, institutions, and the world. Many of us have been moved to tears by a song, moved to start a discussion by a scene in a film or moved to tell her own story after watching a play. African American culture exudes movement, storytelling, and music, yet there are few locations in the hood where performance skills are nurtured and honed. Global Girls vision is that community theatre will flourish on the south side of Chicago as it does on the north side with abundant storefront theatres and dance studios. We envision youth and adults using their voices and creativity to move people to action, to growth and to sustaining culturally rich communities.
Our community theatre group, Global Girls Theatre Collaborative (GTC), creates and stages original theatre that unpacks, challenges and heals. Adults and youth workshop original plays at our location, The Global Studio, and perform them for audiences in our space and in various venues around Chicago and throughout Illinois. Springing from first person narratives, shows confront timely themes: racial injustice, HIV/STI education, domestic and dating violence, adultism, teen pregnancy, sexual abuse, social media, street harassment and more with content that some find provocative, but community actors believe captures their realities.
GTC members travel to other countries and teach other girls how to craft and stage their stories. They’ve worked with groups of girls in Ghana, Kenya, India and Grenada. The India and Grenada arts exchanges were funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur International Connections program. The exchanges begin with creating a safe space so that girls can open up and share their stories.
OUR MISSION
Founded in 2000, Global Girls puts Black women and girls’ stories on stage, enriches lives and builds a community of performing artists. Our mission is to showcase, elevate and preserve the lived experiences of everyday people on stage, on film and in writings. Springing from first person narratives, the productions unpack, challenge, and heal not only the performers but also audiences. Our community theatre engages residents as actors, writers, stagehands, and front office volunteers. Global Girls has become a diamond in the rough for people who never took the arts seriously until they came into our space and realized that theatre is for everyone.
Founded in 2000, Global Girls, Inc. puts girl’s stories on stage and transforms lives. Through rigorous theatre and dance training, participants develop essential life skills including self-awareness, resilience, curiosity, kindness, and grit – skills which help them succeed on stage, in the classroom, in their peer groups, and in life.
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OUR SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS
STROGER HOSPITAL | CHICAGO SISTER CITIES |THE BLACK STAR PROJECT | GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY
GOLDIN PEACE FELLOWS | A KNOCK AT MIDNIGHT | AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL HOUSE/ AFRICAN FEST | CHICAGO POLICE DEPT. 4th District
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARIES | HAVEN TOWER SENIOR RESIDENCE | ATLAS CENTER | CAN TV
WOODLAWN WOMEN’S ASSOC. | WTTW Channel 11 | 8th Ward Democratic Organization
