Studio Playground is dedicated to fostering community and individual growth for children in Rhode Island by using the performing arts to create social change.

We believe all children deserve opportunities for creative enrichments and social-emotional learning benefits derived from arts education programs. Lacking access to programs that build confidence and social awareness divides community members from their resources and deprives children of essential elements for healthy development. Laughter and performing arts entail benefits which transcend socioeconomic status and cultural differences. Studio Playground supports students in their individual growth and inspires audiences to engage in meaningful discourse by enacting our core values: inclusivity, empowerment, and social change.

Inclusivity: We define inclusion as the ability for all members of society to fully participate in programs from which they derive personal and collective value. By establishing a classroom environment in which students feel seen and respected by teachers and peers, we seek to create spaces that encourage feelings of safety, bravery, and compassion.

Empowerment: Our teaching philosophy is based on meeting students where they are and modeling compassion, respect, and inclusion. By allowing classes to develop to support the needs of individuals, we intend to enhance group dynamics and encourage individual growth for each student. Our programs foster empowerment by teaching the health benefits of laughter, facilitating the physical and emotional benefits of play, and inspiring empathy for younger generations.

Social change: We are guided by the principles of social justice and the importance of human connection. We believe all members of society deserve opportunities to participate in live performance and artistic enrichment. There is a great potential for live performance to inspire social connection, facilitate meaningful discourse, articulate collective values, and heal the wounds of adverse experiences.

Studio Playground teaches classes for all ages based in clown and physical acting. Students explore the benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation. Classes integrate core concepts for social-emotional learning in the areas of self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills. Our programs serve over 500 students annually and include classes in Providence and Boston, our annual summer camp in Lincoln Woods State Park, partnerships with schools and community organizations, and after-school programs across Rhode Island.