My experience as a founding member, facilitator, and advisory board member with The Other Side has been incredible. The program gives participants a safe and creative space to reflect on and create stories about their experience as girls in their own communities, and share those stories with girls around the world to connect to and learn from one another. With many inspiring education and theatre professionals on the team, I'm confident that this year's participants will have a fantastic time expressing themselves, learning from their global peers, and creating something together that they can all be proud of and carry with them into the future as ambassadors of global sisterhood.
The Other Side Intercultural Theatre combines two great passions of mine - theatre in education and cross-cultural exchange - optimally. It works with young women of color in both New York City and in India to promote their empowerment and self-realization, and provides an outlet for them to share their concerns and hopes for their respective societies. I'm immensely proud of their alumni and staff, and for their future as an organization.
I have had the privilege to be on the board for over a year now and know how much hard work and dedication this organization has towards the girls in the programs both in the US and abroad. Strengthening the bonds of sisterhood and helping girls develop their voices to become leaders in their communities and beyond is such an important mission, especially now. I was so impressed to see the results of the program on a stage and watch the girls perform their own plays or tell their stories with such passion. The Other Side is a fantastic organization that has so much potential for more growth in the future.
I have been an avid supporter of The Other Side for many years, and have seen firsthand the positive, soul-affirming impact it has on these girls. It gives them a safe space to express themselves, empowers them to speak about their lived experiences, and introduces them to both new friends across the world and inspiring female mentors in the classroom. The leaders and teaching artists care deeply about their work and I believe they are truly changing the world!
This organization works with so much heart and passion. They are small and mighty and making a tangible difference in the lives of teenage girls around the world!
I’ve known Melanie Closs for a number of years now through her work with The Other Side. She is passionate in the cause of the organization - to empower young women through drama exchange. Along with her team, she has helped girls even in rural India have a voice and share it with the world. Look forward to more great things from this fantastic non profit.
I have been involved with The Other Side Intercultural Theatre for several years, originally as a member of the board of directors, and currently as the advisory board chair. Through hard work, perseverance, originality, grit, and a commitment to global sisterhood from board members, staff, volunteers, and participants, the organization has grown from a small and bare bones operation to a more robust, seasoned nonprofit. We are doing some of the most important work in the world: empowering young women to believe in themselves and become leaders. I am utterly privileged to be a part of the journey of The Other Side, and I hope you will join me in supporting this mighty and worthy organization.
Melanie Closs and her team do remarkable work. Their strategy is to empower and lift up by expanding cultural and social horizons. Their dedication and ingenuity are inspiring - and the results are profound. They change lives by fostering creativity and connection - fantastic organization.
I was an intern for The Other Side over this summer and had the opportunity to hear stories from girls who participated in this program. All the girls shared their appreciation for the program in helping them understand each other, their situations, and how everyone can work together for a better future, for girls in America and in India.
I was so impressed by the program collaboration between The Other Side, Groundswell Community Mural Project, and Womens Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) in District 16 in the Bronx. The girls designed and painted an incredible community mural. More importantly, via The Other Side's programming they became more comfortable expressing themselves and their opinions, learned about and communicated with girls in other cultures, and discussed what it means to be a girl in THEIR community and culture. They are beginning to know that they have a voice, and that they matter!
The Other Side does amazing work fostering girls’ self-esteem and developing their feeling of global sisterhood through drama.
I interned here, the experience was amazing! My boss was extremely understanding with everything that came up that interferes with the job, and she genuinely cares about the wellbeing and empowerment of girls around the world. She supports and encourages the growth of women like myself, and this translates directly into the nonprofit. I’m confident that this nonprofit may one day foster a woman who will change the world!