Phantom Projects Theatre Group celebrates 22 years of bringing high-quality theatre to schools, youth groups and the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. By using theatre as a teaching tool, Phantom Projects brings literary classics to the stage at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, along with original plays tackling hard-hitting topics relevant to teens, parents, and teachers.
On the campus of La Mirada High School, Bruce Gevirtzman wrote a play for teens called No Way to Treat a Lady, a play that promoted self-control instead of just birth-control. The show was directed by student Steve Cisneros, a 17-year old High School Senior. The success of the show on the campus prompted the idea that would later become Phantom Projects Theatre Group.
A year later, area educators are invited to a presentation. The evening consisted of 8 actors, dressed in black, sitting at a table reading a script. At the conclusion of the reading, the idea of having real teens present the touring assemblies to local audiences was met with great enthusiasm by those in attendance. The success of the evening prompted a 5-month tour to local schools of No Way to Treat a Lady.
In 1998, Phantom doubled the number of groups they performed for and begin performing as far away as San Diego and San Francisco. The troupe, still rehearsing out of Steve Cisneros’ parent’s garage, driveway, and backyard starts to get attention from the press. Stories by NBC and ABC push the group into the eyes of new audience members and educators. Calls from all over the world pour in as hundreds of schools and community groups request Phantom Projects to perform for their students. And as they say, the rest is history.
Phantom Projects has inspired nearly 500,000 teens in Southern California. How can you help continue their mission of using youth theatre to tackle topics relevant to teens?
Join Phantom Projects for their biggest fundraiser of the year. The Phantom Cabaret is an incredible, up-close cabaret performance, silent auction, dinner and more, all to support arts education. It is their most important fundraiser of the year and allows them to underwrite so many of the programs they offer to Southern California schools, youth groups, and at-risk youth. This year’s gala will be held at the La Mirada Country Club on Saturday, May 4th at 6 pm. Click here for more information.
Source: Phantom Projects Theatre Group