Broward Center for the Performing Arts Celebrates 10 years of the Teen Ambassador Program with its 2020 Graduating Class

Back in 2010, Jill Kratish, Programming Director of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, wondered the best way she could increase the center’s teenage demographic. After brainstorming ideas with other colleagues and listening to a teen panel at a conference, the Broward Center Teen Ambassador program was born. 

Every year the Teen Ambassadors program invites 25 South Florida high school students with a passion for the performing arts and an interest in writing, to promote, attend and review shows presented by the Broward Center and its affiliated venues. Along with a unique look at the business side of the theater, students receive community service hours and mentorship from those in the performing arts community.

Since the program’s beginning, the center has seen a significant increase in its sales of teen tickets proving the success of having teen ambassadors directly engaging with students in their age group. 

This year, the Broward Center celebrated its 10th graduating class of Teen Ambassadors a little differently due to the ongoing pandemic and continual need for social distancing. Like many other graduation classes across the country, the Class of 2020 was honored at a virtual gathering via Zoom which included celebratory remarks from many partners in the arts including, Broadway Across America, Miami City Ballet, and Broward Center CEO Kelley Shanley.

Students from this years graduating class included Adelina Marinello, American Heritage; Megan Price, Cardinal Gibbons; Alan Halaly, Deerfield Beach; Maya Washburn, Florida Virtual School; Carmela Cinnante, homeschool; Mariah McSweeney, McFatter; Allison Garland, Nova; Alexa Domash, Olympic Heights; and Abbie Kopelwitz, Western.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! For more information on how you can apply for the Broward Center Teen Ambassador program Click Here.