For nearly 30 years, OCDE has partnered with Segerstrom Center for the Arts to give students enrolled in the department’s alternative education programs a chance to participate in music, dance and acting under the direction of arts professionals.
More than 900 students have participated in the annual Summer at the Center program, which is designed to engage students with the creative process while building self-esteem and the confidence to overcome adversity.
This year, Segerstrom Center adapted its usual two-week, immersive summer rehearsal process to a one-week, virtual program that took place via Zoom in the spring.
To document the transformational power of the arts, the experience was recorded and edited together into a short film that can be seen by clicking on the graphic above or visiting the Summer at the Center website.