Overture’s ACES program: Empowering local youth through the arts

Above: ACES program staff Allison Ward, Erika Gallagher, Heavyn Dyer-Jones, Stephanie Skemp, Ida Balderrama-Trudell, Benjamin Carlee and Dominque Sanchez

This summer, Overture relaunched its Arts Career Exploration Spotlight (ACES) program, which allowed 20 Madison-area middle and high-school students of color to explore local arts organizations and career possibilities through hands-on experiences over a three-week engagement.

The ACES program is an innovative educational outreach effort that aims to engage students from diverse backgrounds in the arts. Through workshops from local artists, performances and hands-on activities, ACES offers young people the chance to discover their artistic potential and build essential skills that extend beyond the stage.

"The ACES program activities helped me gain a better understanding of career opportunities in the arts. I feel more prepared to pursue a career in the arts after the ACES program," shared one enthusiastic student.

Led by Overture’s Equity and Innovation team, the ACES program customizes activities to meet the unique needs, interests and abilities of each participant. Students explore a diverse array of art forms, including painting, sculpture, music, dance and theater, while gaining insights into various career paths, from arts administration to technical roles and artistic creation.

Equity and Innovation Program Manager Allison Ward shared, “ACES is the first of a three-phase pathways program to diversify the arts, with internships and apprenticeship programs planned for future development.”

This summer, ACES students got to attend field trips to American Players Theatre, Overture Center, Chazen Museum of Art, UW-Madison’s campus, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Capitol! In addition to learning about careers in the arts, students worked on their literacy, financial literacy, verbal, written and non-written communication skills, and health and wellness, including food security and mental and emotional health.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of the ACES program for the July cohort. It has been incredible to see these students explore their interest in the arts,” said intern Stephanie Skemp. “The importance of this program is exponential— art has the potential to open parts of ourselves that we never knew we had within us. The students have grown, and I along with them. I am so grateful to have been a part of this journey!” 

As part of the workshops, students got to witness the load-in process for two Broadway touring productions at Overture, including “TINA – The Tina Turner Musical” and “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.”

"The workshops were incredibly beneficial. Watching the load-in for ‘TINA – The Tina Turner Musical' helped me understand the behind-the-scenes work that goes into productions,” remarked one student.

Counselor Heavyn Dyer-Jones noted, “The ACES program has been a unique and inspiring experience for me as a counselor, as well as a young artist myself. This is an extremely special program that opens many doors towards professional development within the arts and extends its hands to the youth of the greater Madison area by a means to showcase the many possibilities that a career in the arts possesses.” 

One student commented, "The hands-on activities helped me gain a larger interest in the arts. I learned more about drums, singing and piano, which has inspired me to explore these areas further." 

“ACES has been a place to explore my own creativity and connect with the youth in a space different from my 30-student classroom. It’s a beautiful, equitable, personalized opportunity for everyone involved to be inquisitive, creative and passionate,” said counselor Erika Gallagher. “It has been a space for me to share my own experiences with the arts and has even inspired me to reconnect with my own interests!”

Consultant Nikky Sanchez said, “Meeting new students and learning about their various interests within the arts has been one of the best experiences while being here. I not only had the ability to learn about them and how their unique style has added to what ACES is all about, but also learned about myself and peers.”

According to counselor Ben Carlee, participating in the ACES program was a rewarding experience. Seeing students from diverse backgrounds like his own engage with the arts was truly inspiring.

“Watching them explore their creativity and develop new skills was fulfilling, but the highlight was witnessing those lightbulb moments when concepts clicked, they discovered their potential, overcame discomfort to participate or simply experienced awe when exposed to something new. “These moments of enthusiasm were priceless,” he said, “The ACES program not only allowed me to contribute to their artistic growth but also enriched my own understanding and appreciation of the transformative power and importance of the arts."

Many students expressed their enthusiasm for the ACES program, with one recommending the program to others saying, "I would recommend the ACES program to other students interested in the arts because it can show you the behind the scenes of the jobs."

The Equity and Innovation team plans to continue to engage the students throughout the school year with “various opportunities and programming,” according to Director of Equity and Innovation Dr. Ida Balderrama-Trudell. She shared that ACES students who participated this year, wanted other interested students to know that “they should try and go outside your comfort zone,” as this sparked their curiosity and learning the most.

The 2024 ACES program concluded on Friday, July 26, with an end-of-program celebration held at the Madison Youth Arts Center, where ACES students and their families gathered to celebrate their achievements and newfound passions in the arts. Applications for next year open in early 2025, but students can fill out an interest form on the ACES webpage.

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