Handful Players helps middle-school students in San Francisco's Western Addition gain self-esteem and positive life skills through the performing arts.

Handful Players (HP) is a nonprofit children’s musical theater aimed at helping middle-school kids from San Francisco’s Western Addition find their creative voice, build self-esteem, and develop skills for getting ahead in life.  Founded in 2007, HP is the only free children’s theatre program in San Francisco’s Western Addition, a neighborhood riddled with gang violence, drugs, and deteriorating schools. Residents are mainly low income and African American, with many living in public housing and lacking mentorship, community services, and cultural stimulation.

Handful Players uses the following script for taking kids to the next stage:

Kids First: Promote positive personal development and build self-esteem. Help kids find their creative voice and stay on course. Their individual development always comes first. Kids with no theatre experience and challenged self-esteem are particularly welcome.

Prep ’em for the Future: Teach teamwork, communication, collaboration, presentation and organization — skills to help kids go far.

Diversity Rocks: Emphasize cultural, social, economic and racial diversity to enliven the community, enhance creativity and enrich all generations.

Cast a Big Light: Involve exceptionally talented artists and educators committed to working constructively and collaboratively with the children to create innovative theater and cultural experiences for the children and community.

Play Well with Others: bring together diverse and isolated segments of the community – grassroots organizers, artists, volunteers with successful business careers – to work hands-on together to create theatrical productions and build community, one kid at a time.

1700 California Street, Suite 335
San Francisco, CA  94109
415-921-8246
www.handfulplayers.org