The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company is a group of dedicated educators, writers, actors, directors, mentors, and volunteers who transform hearts, minds, lives, and communities by empowering young people to own and share their stories. Our goal is to raise money to cover the cost of these life-changing programs that served almost 1,000 individuals last year during a global pandemic — including neurodivergent students, foster youth, struggling parents, English Language Learners, and incarcerated minors. A major tenet of US’s model is to meet youth where they are – as such, they maintain a presence in areas with high youth crime/incarceration rates, and offer programs on site at under-resourced schools, community centers, and juvenile detention facilities. In conjunction with county and state approved curriculum custom-developed in-house, US teaches youth to write, direct, and perform their stories, uncensored and in their own voices. The outcomes for participants are lasting and life-changing, fostering academic, social, and emotional growth.
2nd Annual Virtually UnUSual Create-A-Thon (CAT)
The Virtually UnUSual Create-A-Thon is our digital fundraising campaign where participants raise funds and create art, whatever art means to them! Write, act, sing, draw, do stand-up… create and share with friends and family. Supporters will brighten someone’s day with their creations and raise funds for Unusual Suspects along the way. 100% of funds raised goes towards our vital programs.
2021 CAT goals: $300,000 in funds raised; 50 participants creating and fundraising
Hosted By:
Sponsored by:
Carol Bondi
The Campizondo Foundation
Nancy and Steve Carell
Stephen and Sherie Carroll
The Johnny Carson Foundation
Madeline Cripe
Levine/Tassler Foundation
Annie & Scott Lukowski
Lynch Foundation
Netflix
Dave & Pamela Peterman
Kit Pongetti & Mark Stegemann
Gala Ambassadors:
Bradford & Phyllis Bancroft
Nancy & Steve Carell
Steve & Sherie Carroll
Tameka Carter
Ed & Dianne Coghlan
Mo Collins & Alex Skuby
Hector & Carollee Elizondo
Sally Fairman & Kevin King
Markese Freeman
Annabeth Gish & Wade Allen
Rachel Goldberg
Dwight Hicks
Laura Leigh Hughes
David Henry Hwang & Kathryn Layng
Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Deborah Lintz
Annie & Scott Lukowski
Lara & Christian Magnusen
Tess Paras
Luis Rodriguez
Elizabeth L. Silver
David E. Talbert
Nina Tassler & Jerry Levine
Julie Tugend
Kirsten Vangsness
June is Create-A-Thon Month (June 1-30)
June 30 – Celebration event hosted by Melissa Peterman and Kirsten Vangsness
Event to honor our incredible Teaching Artists and Volunteer Mentors, the front line artists and educators for The Unusual Suspects.
Mission & Vision
To mentor, educate, and enrich youth in under-resourced communities through the creation of collaborative, original theatre.
The vision of The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company is a world where all youth are given the opportunities and support they need to succeed.
• Total amount raised: $254,266.04
• #of Create-a-Raisers: 28
• #of New Donors: 303
• Check out our 2020 CAT Playlist -to see highlights from last year’s Create-A-Thon
• May 18 – Soft launch
• Prime Suspects & Board announce their participation
• June 1 – Official Public Campaign launch
• June 30 – End of Campaign Celebration Event, hosted by Melissa Peterman and Kirsten Vangsness.