“Dear Adult”

On March 1, 826DC will be presenting “Dear Adult,” a special performance of DC young people’s written works reflecting on this moment in our nation’s history.

Throughout January and February, 826DC will be hosting a series of workshops designed to empower young writers to speak truth to power through the art of letter writing. These workshops will take place at 826DC’s after-school program (for DC public school students grades K-8), at DCPS elementary, middle, and high schools across the city, and in public sessions with our partners at Hubbard Place and Portner Flats. Young people will be asked to write a persuasive letter to an adult of their choice in a position of power. The letter – rooted in the concept, “If you could speak freely to someone in a position of power, what would you say?” – will focus on an issue that is important to them, or a question they have for that adult.

Students will then read these letters aloud in a public performance at Arena Stage on Saturday, March 1. Leading up to the performance, we hope to provide several public speaking rehearsals for students who are new to presenting in public. Following the performance, these young people’s letters will be published in a professionally-bound publication that will be distributed to students and made available for purchase at the 826DC store.

Check out a few early excerpts of letters from our after-school students:

• “Dear President Trump, I’m tired. We, the people of America, are all tired. I bet that you are tired of receiving letters like this. I implore you to consider why. I want to know when there will be equal rights for women.”
• “Dear Superintendent Mr. Lewis Ferebee, Homework is unfair because we work all day and a lot of kids are in aftercare and they get tired so they won’t practice well. That’s why homework is unfair and I want to lay with my cat and dog.”
• “Dear Family, Why don’t kids make their own choices? We treat people with respect. I love you!!!”

Ֆինանսավորված Washington, DC կողմից (January 2025)