STUDIO PLAYGROUND

Tell us about the origin of your organization including the year it was founded and its founder.

Studio Playground was founded in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic by CoArtistic Directors, Matthew Bretschneider and Stefanie Resick. We met during a training program with a master teacher of clown and physical acting, and we began discussing ways to apply concepts for clowning to working with kids. Since 2020, our programs have expanded to weekly classes in Providence and Pawtucket, after school programs with multiple schools and non-profit organizations in northern Rhode Island, and our annual summer camp in Lincoln Woods State Park. Our work in translating clown to younger audiences focuses on the health benefits of laughter, connection through games and play, and celebrating the joy of performance. In some cases, our work focuses on social-emotional learning in the key areas of social awareness, selfawareness, and relationship skills.

Have you always been in Rhode Island?

Our classes began online, and our inperson programs have always been in Rhode Island. Our classes in Pawtucket are hosted by Kismet Improv in the Hope Artist Village. Our classes in Providence are hosted by Rhode Island School for the Deaf and Big Brothers Big Sisters Rhode Island. Our annual summer camp occurs in Lincoln Woods State Park.

We also have numerous partnerships and after school programs with organizations including Boys and Girls Club of Providence, Providence Public Library, Providence Children's Museum, Pawtucket Public Schools, Gordon School, Lincoln School, Moses Brown School, and Providence Country Day.

Are there any specific stories about how your organization helped a particular person?

Our programs often focus on socialemotional learning and relationship skills. We have received lots of feedback from parents in our community regarding the positive impact of our classes on students' confidence, participation, self-awareness, and social awareness.

Tell us more about the products or services you provide.

Currently we offer classes for ages 5-15 in Providence and Pawtucket. Our classes include Storytelling & Play for ages 5-7, Playground Company for ages 8-10, Studio Playground On Camera for ages 8-12, Play Creation for Ages 8-12, and Musical Theatre for ages 12-15. Classes involve movement, improvisation, games, and performance projects. Each session culminates in a performance for friends and family. Our Summer Camp in Lincoln Woods State Park occurs August 14-25, 2023. Students ages 6-12 enjoy a balance of games, rehearsal, and outdoor activities as they work together to create an original show.

What do you see when looking at the future of your organization and any changes or growth?

Studio Playground became a 501c3 nonprofit organization in December, 2022. One of the goals of our mission statement is to create access to arts education for children in northern Rhode Island. Our current goals include expanding our programs to provide access to more students in the area. We hope to achieve this through fundraising, applying for grants, and continuing to partner with organizations that help further our mission.