Arts After 5
Arts After 5 was established in 2015 in response to expressed needs of community residents to expand after school activities to children living in an under-resourced neighborhood in Winter Garden. Arts After 5 strives to fill that need by providing weekly theater classes at a neighborhood community center. In addition to classes students participate in special events and local celebrations. They also take field trips to theatrical performances. All activities are designed to teach life skills, teamwork, and the performing arts.
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Your generous financial gift ensures ongoing access and education in the performing arts!
The summer musical is the culminating event of each Arts After 5 school year program.
The summer musical brings together theater performance skills, music, dance, and visual arts. After six weeks of rehearsals students participate in three performances. This full musical production using a licensed show is unique in the Central Florida arts community in that a cast and crew that is predominantly African American, performs for a local audience that is predominantly African American.
Arts After 5 started 9 years ago. The first year we had a student that had so much excitement about all things theatre. Her name was Aliyah Bryant. She was a sponge. She would listen, take direction, and participate in every activity that we offered. As time went on, she went from participating in Arts After 5 classes to participating in theater at her high school, and in the community. She was even accepted into the music program at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Aliyah also transitioned from student in the program to teaching assistant for the program. Her growth has been an example and inspiration for Arts After 5 students.
Ke’Lee Pernell
Program Director - Arts After 5
Highlights & Goals
In the first four years the number of students participating in the summer musical grew from 15 the first year, to almost 100 in 2019!
After programming stopped in 2020 due to the covid pandemic Arts After 5 classes returned in 2022. In 2023 Arts After 5 was able to present The Little Mermaid Jr. The musical involved 25 students participating as performers, tech crew and backstage assistants.
Our goal is to increase new student participation by 10% each year and to exceed pre-covid numbers by 2029.
Arts after 5 has helped me become a better actor, singer, and person overall. The program has done such a great job teaching different skills that we can use in theatre, and in our everyday lives. I love Arts After 5. I look forward to the musical every summer. I love being able to sing, dance, act and express myself. Everyone in Arts After 5 is so kind and the program has helped me to improve so much.
Daiysha Hick
Former Student - Arts After 5
Ke’Lee Pernell
Arts After 5
Program Director
Ke’Lee is compelled to lead Arts After 5 because it fills a need in the community for quality after school programming focused on the arts. Ke’Lee believes the arts have the power to positively impact young people’s lives in multiple ways. In Arts After 5 classes children build confidence, improve their artistic abilities and learn to work as a team. Arts After 5 also provides a platform for young people to showcase their talents and celebrate their cultural heritage. Ke’Lee is especially proud that Arts After 5 promotes diversity and representation in the arts and has become a valuable and important part of the community. Seeing how Arts After 5 positively impacts students motivates here to continue the program and expand its offerings in the future. Ke’Lee is grateful for the opportunity to lead Arts After 5.