There’s No Place Like the Stage for Think Together Students
We’re not in the classroom anymore, Toto! Think Together students clicked their heels three times and stepped onto the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City for a whimsical production of The Wizard of Oz.
Students from three school sites in Baldwin Park Unified School District performed two shows at the Baldwin Park Performing Arts Center, marking a first-of-its-kind experience that immersed them in a professional theater setting.
The performances were brought to life through Think Together’s enrichment accelerator partnership with Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC), a nonprofit that delivers in-school programs advancing performing arts education across Southern California.
Fifth grader Avery, who played the Scarecrow, spent two months rehearsing with her peers to bring the world of Oz to the spotlight.
“It takes a lot of dedication to put on a play because when I first started, I didn’t know how hard it was going to be, but after three weeks, I got the hang of it,” said Avery. “My favorite part about this whole process has been doing all of the work and getting good enough to the point where I’m performing.”
For many students, this was their first time participating in a production of this scale. Elementary and middle school students worked together, with middle schoolers leading behind the scenes as stagehands while younger students took center stage.
“I have truly seen students come out of their comfort zones, during this process,” said Think Together Site Program Manager Samantha Farias. “Their regular school day teachers have also been witnesses to their growth in their classrooms. Arts education is super important for our students because it really allows them to try out something new.”
Farias highlighted one student in particular, Isabel, who truly blossomed through the experience. A special education student who once kept to herself, Isable now embraces the spotlight and is eager to participate in school activities. Her parents and teachers noticed the change and couldn’t be prouder.
Through hands-on instruction, ALC guided students through every aspect of production, from auditions to technical roles, giving them a full theater experience and a sense of ownership on stage. Students rehearsed four days a week, and they were expected to continue their work at home through reading, memorization, and preparation with family or friends.
“One of the most beautiful parts of this journey has been watching them push past fear and step into bravery,” said ALC Teaching Artist Toni Jones-Pelayo. “They’ve learned to trust themselves, support one another, and keep going even when something feels difficult or unfamiliar. With no technology in class, they were able to be fully present listening, connecting, imagining, and creating together in a way that felt honest and powerful.”
ALC challenged students to grow both on and off the stage. It would be more than simply performing; it would be an opportunity for students to discover just how capable and disciplined they truly are.
Part of this process also meant helping students connect with the language of the script in a deeper way. They took time to break down words, phrases, and terminology so they could better understand what they were saying and bring truth to their performances.
By partnering with organizations like Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC), Think Together continues to extend learning beyond the school day, unlocking courage, heart and a little bit of imagination to help students discover what’s possible for them to thrive.
Through its nearly two-year partnership with ALC, Think Together, a division of Think Education, has broadened arts education access across Southern California. In Baldwin Park Unified, enrichment programs have flourished, offering opportunities like ballet folklórico and STEM experiences such as AI Club.
To learn more about Think Education, visit https://thinkeducation.org.
Explore the stories below to see more of Think Together’s enrichment accelerators in action.
