Theater Work Project

Mission Statement:

To build supportive collaborative experiences that help participants develop their social and relational skills, recognize and manage emotions, strengthen their voices, and share their stories through powerful, original theater.

Theater Work Project is a professional training program in acting, playwriting, and theater production serving participants in Merced County Juvenile Justice Programs and the wider community. Led by theater artist and educator Dawn Trook, our program uses ensemble-based theater practices to build collaboration, emotional awareness, confidence, and creative voice.

Rooted in methodologies from the The Actors' Gang Prison Project and Marin Shakespeare Company’s Social Justice/Prison Programs, Theater Work Project centers community-building, emotional literacy, and the power of storytelling. We believe theater creates safe spaces where people can be seen, heard, valued, and transformed through creative expression.

Through weekly workshops and an 80-hour, 32-week production program, participants move from ensemble-building and acting technique to collaboratively writing and performing an original play. Along the way, they develop skills in listening, public speaking, text analysis, character development, playwriting, and stage performance—while learning to support one another in meaningful artistic work.

We also offer 4-6 week programs that culminate in an ensemble-based improv show, ongoing non-cumulative or one time workshops. We know how busy the programming schedule can be, so we will work with your institution on creating and scheduling a Theater Work Project that works for you. 

Our Mission

To build supportive creative communities that help participants recognize and manage their emotions, strengthen their voices, and share their stories through powerful, original theater.