Rising Star Resilience Project

Creativity meets confidence at the Rising Star Resilience Project!

Join us on a journey curated by industry professionals, designed to inspire, uplift, and champion positive childhood experiences!

This six-month experience (from Jan-June) aims to magnify PCEs (positive childhood experiences) in the lives of young teenagers, through a performing arts curriculum, infused with creativity and inspiration.

With involvement from renowned professionals in TV, film, voice over, Broadway, and more, students will immerse themselves in a unique journey spanning acting, writing, directing, and other performing arts.

You can nominate a student by going to our nominations form here: https://www.nextgenacting.com/rising-star-resilience-project-app

Empower Through Performing Arts Training

Program Highlights

This is a free performing arts program for selected students (age 12-17)!

  • Weekly acting classes on Tuesdays from January to June!

  • Eight Masterclasses with professional actors, directors, producers, writers, and more!

  • Final Showcase for family, friends, and the community!

  • Social Worker on staff to magnify positive experiences and growth!

  • Enrollment limited to 25 students ONLY.

  • Nominations are due Jan 17, 2024. Nominations can be submitted online, by clicking here.

Acting Masterclasses NJ

Rising Stars will have the opportunity to attend masterclasses in the following:

  • Voice

  • Voice Over

  • Dance

  • Business of Acting

  • Screenwriting

  • Playwriting

  • Stage Management

  • Producing

FAQs

  • The Rising Star Resilience Project is an initiative by NextGen Acting, designed to empower students ages 12-17 through weekly performing arts and story telling classes and performing arts masterclasses, culminating in a showcase of their work at the end of the program.

  • The Rising Star Resilience Project will take place between January and June 2024. Selected students will attend weekly acting and story-telling classes on Tuesdays, split up by age. Students ages 12-14 will meet from 5:30-7pm and students ages 15-17 will meet from 7:30-9pm.

    Students will also participate in at least 8 masterclasses spread throughout the programs, mostly on select Saturdays. These masterclasses will be taught by professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood, video games and more!

    Students will be creating and performing in a showcase. They are expected to be at tech rehearsals, leading up to the performance in June.

  • This program will be free for the 25 students selected.

    This program is being run by NextGen Acting, a performing arts school in NJ for kids and teens, and funded by the RAC community Innovation Micro Grant, awarded by the NJ DCF Office of Resilience and stewarded by NORWESCAP.

  • Students ages 12-17 in Middlesex County can apply to be a part of this program; however, we will only be selecting 25 students for this program.

  • Students are expected to gain improved self-confidence, enhanced storytelling and communication skills, and experience in ensemble building and performance. The program also aims to foster social-emotional development and provide coping strategies for students.

  • Our core staff consists of our Project Director, Assistant Director, Stage Manager, and our Licensed Social Worker (LSW).

    The Rising Star LSW will vet materials and guide our core staff and masterclass instructors.

    Although we are all available for the students during the sessions and via email — the Rising Star LSW is on hand to magnify the positive experiences and growth, and will be available for scheduled meetings.

  • Yes! The culmination of the program is a showcase performance where students can share their work with friends, family, and community members.

    Community traditions such as public performances and end-of-year celebrations is a crucial positive experience for children and teens.

  • Nominations for students age 12-17 are to take place in the the beginning of November. Parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, aunts, uncles, grandparents and siblings can nominate individuals that they think are a great fit for the Rising Star Resilience Project.

    We even encourage students to nominate themselves!

    Please enter your email above to be notified when the Rising Star Resilience Project nomination form is available.

    Please be aware that parents/guardians will have to give permission for a student to ultimately enroll in a program.

  • Early Nov - Application will go live.

    Jan 17 - Nominations will be due.

    Jan 22 - Confirmations & In-take forms are due.

    Jan 30 - 1st Class!

  • Thank you for your interest! We will be shortly making a non-profit that will run year 2 and beyond. We will be announcing ways to be involved, as well as help fundraise to continue the program going forward.

  • Our masterclasses are led by experienced professionals in theater, voice acting, dance, screenwriting, and production. They are committed to providing a high-quality educational experience for all participants.

    Stay tuned for upcoming news introducing our incredible staff and teachers.

  • While we wish we could select all applicants, we only have room for 25 students.

    Students will be selected by a weighted-random process that will give everyone a chance to be a Rising Star at NextGen Acting.