Living Literature Colors United
9911 West Pico Blvd.Suite 1495Los AngelesCA90025310-444-8357310-286-1986

Program: Living Literature Colors United Year Started: 1989 Focus: Multidisciplinary Arts & Humanities Youth Served: 200 Ages: 14-21 Budget: $260,000 Living Literature Colors United (LLCU) motivates at-risk youth by awakening their interest in learning through literature, drama, music and dance classes. Working with schools that have high drop-out rates, a record of violence on campus and racial conflicts, LLCU encourages all interested students to participate. Each year this after-school program is organized around a different theme, usually based on the works of an author. The first half of the year, the program focuses on artistic training; the second half focuses on reading the selected authorĖs books and conducting research on his/her life. Following the research, participants develop an original performance piece using text and music. The program meets at each school 2 days a week, after school, and combines literature, drama, music and dance instruction. On Saturdays, LLCU brings together teens from the participating schools for rehearsals. Performances are presented at high school auditoriums and community centers. Participants also travel to literary festivals to participate and perform, including the John Steinbeck Festival, the Ernest Hemingway Festival and the Jack London Festival.