WRITE TO [email protected] to book for your school.

Creating True Equality 

In the Summer of 2025, New Paradigm Theatre (NPT) will produce the lively musical **Hairspray**. This show takes place in 1962 Baltimore, where teenagers fight for racial integration on their favorite TV program, promoting equal rights for all. As we prepare for this production, we want to give our community the tools to talk about racial and other discrimination. To support this effort, we’re thrilled to work with NPT Board Member Dr. Rydell Harrison, a dedicated educator from Partners for Educational Leadership to lead Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion workshops for our youth participants. These workshops will help our students express themselves as community leaders. 

For the next six months, we will focus on using the spirit of Hairspray to challenge discrimination and promote equality in Fairfield County. In March, Dr. Harrison will train 15-20 of our most engaged youth in these leadership workshops.  These students will then run peer-to-peer presentations in schools starting in April. We already have three local schools ready to partner with us, and we hope to reach even more! Our student leaders will also present these presentations as “Talk Backs” at each of our shows. Our workshops will help students understand equality provide tools to address bias, and create a sense of belonging in their schools. Through interactive discussions, students will learn to develop skills that promote understanding and inclusivity. We look forward to this exciting journey!

Our workshops for teens and youth who are registered for our summer program are planned for March 8^th and March 15 (Saturdays) from 12:00-2:00 pm at Emmanuel Church Parish Hall- 285 Lyons Plain Rd Weston CT.

WRITE TO [email protected] to book for your school.

Register as a student for our summer to participate!