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Press Releases: Northern California

April 7, 2011

Contact: Marc Brown, 510-987-4672

Kaiser Permanente Celebrates 25 Years of Educational Theatre Programs

More than 5 million children, youth and adults have watched free, health-related presentations at schools and other locations throughout Northern California

OAKLAND, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente’s award-winning Educational Theatre Programs celebrate their 25th anniversary this year with a series of special performances throughout Northern California.

Educational Theatre Programs

On the stage, in the classroom and in the community, Educational Theatre Programs use live performances and workshops to inspire youth and adults to make informed decisions about their health. The programs have reached more than 5 million people in Northern California without ever charging a dime.

Since 1986, Educational Theatre Programs have grown from one program for elementary students to six live theater programs that serve students of all grade levels, providing free health education to Northern California youth and families in school and community settings.

Performances feature professional performer/educators who use contemporary music, humor, dance and dialogue with age-appropriate information on topics ranging from healthy eating to preventing HIV. Physicians, health educators and theater professionals at Kaiser Permanente create and update the programs in collaboration with educators, counselors, parents and students.

“A quarter-century ago we took a bold step for a nonprofit health care organization by establishing theater troupes to educate young people about healthy choices,” said Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente’s regional vice president, External and Community Affairs. “We are extremely proud that more than 5 million children, teens and adults have been encouraged to make informed decisions about their health, which has helped build healthier environments and stronger communities.”

“Educational Theatre Programs offer a unique opportunity for kids to see live theater — usually for the first time ever,” said Marco Gonzales, principal, EM Downer Elementary School in San Pablo. “And they hear a message that relates to their lives from exuberant young people who look like their brothers and sisters and who really relate to our community.”

The theater program offers five different shows in Northern California, each of them aimed at a particular audience:

  • The Best Me, has two versions, both of which promote healthy eating, active living and limiting screen time; for grades K-6.
  • PEACE Signs stresses non-violent conflict resolution and respect for others; for grades 3-6.
  • Nightmare on Puberty St., which examines peer pressure, thoughts of suicide, first feelings of sexual attraction, and effective communication with peers and parents; aimed at grades 6-8.
  • Secrets, about HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; aimed at teens and young adults.
  • Community Troupe uses larger-than-life mascot characters, short pieces of theater and an obstacle course to convey health information to youth and adults at health fairs, community gatherings and other events.

Prevention has been a cornerstone of Kaiser Permanente since its inception in 1945, and theater and performance are effective strategies of preventive health care. The live performances — combined with in-class workshops, family events, educator materials and partnerships with community agencies — inspire families to make healthy choices, transform their communities, and sustain positive changes over time.

The schedule of special anniversary events this year follows:

South Bay

East Bay

  • May 16-20: PEACE Signs at Peres Elementary School, Richmond; Family Night on May 19.
  • June 3: The Best Me assembly at Hesperian Elementary, San Lorenzo.
  • Oct. 1: Community Troupe at the Monument Health Fair, Concord.
  • Oct. 15: Community Troupe at the BiNational Health Fair, Union City.

San Francisco

  • Aug. 13: Community Troupe at United in Health Community Health Fair, San Francisco.

North Bay

Fresno

Modesto

  • April 13: The Best Me assembly at the Gallo Center for the Arts, Modesto, for students from eight schools without facilities for Education Theatre Program assemblies.

Greater Sacramento

For more information: kp.org/etp/ncal and kp.org/communitybenefit/ncal

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.7 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to www.kp.org/newscenter.