I CAN ACT!
I CAN ACT! is a positive, empowering new theatre arts program for New York City's public schools. The program takes its name from a poem by 7-year-old Celia Rose T. Fitzgerald, who was a student at P.S. 41 and The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Since Celia's death in February 2005, her family and friends have been searching for a way to help her dreams of life in the theater live on. I CAN ACT! has turned Celia's dreams into reality for other young artists.

I CAN ACT! brings quality theatre training to New York City's public schools in the format of a weekly after school program, taught by the professional actor-teachers of The PossEble Theater Company. I CAN ACT! provides students with basic acting tools while also developing self-confidence, self-awareness, imagination, trust, and interpersonal skills. In addition, students who show keen interest and artistic promise will be selected to receive scholarships to continue their training at select theatre schools in New York City.

After a well-received pilot program at P.S. 41 in Spring 2006, I CAN ACT! had an exciting and successful year reaching over 150 public school students. With hopes of furthering the reach of the program, I CAN ACT! will be targeting public elementary schools in New York that lack a theatre arts program and also demonstrate a need for student improvement in verbal and written communication skills. I CAN ACT! is financed by The Celia Rose T. Fitzgerald Arts Education Outreach Program, in association with The PossEble Theater Company, and will be implemented at no cost to the host school. It is the mission of I CAN ACT! to enrich the New York City theatre community by training the actors of tomorrow-today.


Merideth Maddox and Katie Cappiello, Directors
For more information contact icanact@possebletheater.com

What people are saying...


“I CAN ACT! teaches me that acting is about believing in yourself!”
Isadora Greenberg, 3rd Grade P.S. 41
“I love them! I love them! I love them!”
Jessica Pierratos, 4th Grade, P.S. 41
Revealing how she feels about her I CAN ACT! classes.
“This program [I CAN ACT!] is a great example of why our family is raising children in NYC — excellence in the arts and compassion for the world!  Many thanks to all who gave their time so all the kids could learn under such outstanding leadership!”
Kellie Anderson-Picallo, mother of I CAN ACT! student Isabella, 3rd Grade
“[Mia] becomes shy in this type of setting. She said the teachers reassured her over and over and she received so much support from her friends. After last night’s performance, her confidence shot through the roof! She felt like a star!”
Lily DeJesus, mother of I CAN ACT! student Mia Innocenti, 4th Grade
“The I CAN ACT! workshop was such a wonderful experience for our son Luke! We cannot believe how much the kids learned in such a short amount of time.  Katie [Cappiello] didn’t just give a class— she taught a class!  Her enthusiasm, positive energy, and no-nonsense approach were a joy to watch!  We hope this program continues to grow and thrive, just as our children do.”
Julie Branam and Rick Wenger, parents of Luke Branam-Wenger, 4th Grade