West Side Story Project

In 2007, The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle was preparing for an upcoming production of the musical "West Side Story". Anna Laszlo, a boardmember of The 5th Avenue Theatre saw an opportunity to bring together theater, criminal justice and education on gang violence and prevention.

She worked with Detective Kim Bogucki and Officer Adrian Diaz, who led the side of youth and law enforcement activities. Partners in the West Side Story project also included The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Police Foundation, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Public Middle and High Schools, King County Boys and Girls Club, and Town Hall Seattle. The West Side Story Project was born.

ABOUT THE WEST SIDE STORY PROJECT

Using "West Side Story" as the point of reference, over 300 youth attended summits on gang violence, participated in gang prevention workshops, re-created the 21st century story at Ballard High School, Little Theater, and had the opportunity to tour back stage to meet the cast members and watch the professional performance at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Two yourh participants also joined police and theatre representatives as they presented the project to the Police Executive Research Forum in Chicago. Additionally, there was an adult community dialogue hosted by Town Hall Seattle to discuss youth violence prevention in the Seattle community.
[Watch Video of the Town Hall Conversation]

“We used the musical as a springboard to discuss gang violence as it still resonates with today’s youth, and captured the opportunity to raise awareness in a non-enforcement atmosphere,” said Detective Bogucki.

BACKGROUND ON WEST SIDE STORY

First produced in 1957, the West Side Story is a classic American musical of two rival youth gangs in New York City, the Jets and Sharks, whose battle for turf and superiority provides the backdrop to an exploration of youth gangs, police relationships, prejudice, and the romance of two young people caught in a violent cross-cultural struggle.