An after-school and summer youth program dedicated to the arts is helping young Bronx artists get one step closer to their dreams. 

 

The Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education is a free program that teaches students in grades K-12 different areas of the art world different areas of the art world including music, theatre, visual art, and much more.

 

Thanks to a partnership between Casita Maria and Public Works, an organization that provides free public theatre to the community, four young Casita artists were given an opportunity to audition for Shakespeare in the Park.

 

They're now gearing up to step out on the big stage of this year's performance of “The Tempest.”

 

"I think it's an amazing opportunity even if they don't decide to be professional actors in the future, they'll have this memory and experience," said Gail Heidel, artistic director of Casita Maria Center said. 

 

The show will run from Aug. 27 to Sept. 3 and Heidel says she will continue to educate and offer artistic opportunities to this Bronx community.