American Legacy Theatre

All our programs focus on increasing empathy using theatre arts throughout society to protect all against America’s trend of systematic and institutional prejudice. 

We provide innovative theatre education programs 
and inviting theatre experiences that highlight social issues. 

We’re fighting to bring theatre back to what it’s legacy was originally meant to be – a voice for marginalized communities and a true representation of what our society could become if we all had more empathy for one another. 

We’re a “nomadic” theatre organization - meaning we don't have brick and mortar, physical theatre. We purposefully go where we are needed to make sure we meet people in their own communities so we can provide historically underserved people equal access to our programs and theatre experiences.

Studies show that 
participating in theatre increases empathy and social emotional intelligence 
in all types of people, across the board. 

That of course gives people more confidence and leads us to living happier, more vibrant, successful lives - and that’s what we want for everyone.

Our Main Programs

American Legacy Theatre works within four pillars of work: In Classrooms, In Communities, In Workplaces, and In Homes. Over the next two fiscal years, our main focuses will be In Classrooms and In Communities work. Read more about our programmatic focuses below!

In Communities 
currently featuring See Me. Hear Me. 

See Me. Hear Me. is an original one-act play, created by American Legacy Theatre as a social emotional learning tool. The play focuses on family miscommunication, youth trauma, and bringing awareness to mental health support options and career pathways in behavioral health - all to reduce stigma around youth mental health services. Developed in consultation with Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, this one-of-a-kind SEL experience is available free of cost to all Ohio schools and any Ohio community groups or locations that serve as a gathering place for high school aged kids for at least the rest of 2023 and 2024.

(From October-November 2023)

1,561 students in attendance.              29 performances.              17 schools/churches.              9 cities.

How schools and students are responding:

94% 
of students said experiencing this play made them more open to asking for mental health services if needed.

88% 
of students said they felt less judgmental towards people experiencing mental health crises.

94%
of students said they related to or empathized with one of the characters.

63% 
of students said they would consider a career as a mental/behavioral health professional after seeing the play.

69% 
of students said they would recommend seeing this play to a friend.

2
students were inspired to come out to their classes in the lead discussion immediately following the play.

"I felt heard." 
- Anonymous, trans man school staff member.

"I've had thoughts about hurting myself but after watching this for the first time, I don't feel alone." 
- Anonymous, student.

"I am Logan." 
- Anonymous, student.

In Classrooms 
currently featuring Students Create Change

Students Create Change is American Legacy Theatre's four-"stage" theatre education program that focuses on empathy to teach students of all ages the "four c's" of life skills (communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking) through the art of theatre.

The program can be tailored to work with all ages, however our primary focus right now is pre-k, in collaboration with Cincinnati Preschool Promise and YMCA Greater Cincinnati.

Using TS GOLD® Standards for kindergarten readiness, children who participated in a 5-week cohort, with only 10 hours of instruction, had 92% measurable movement after just 5 weeks of In Classrooms programming. 

Pre-K students receiving the otherwise identical Step Up to Quality: 5 Star Rated curriculum, without ALT In Classrooms, showed on average 60% measurable movement over 52 weeks.