Artists tell Poly Prep students to create their own opportunities
A panel composed of artists and women working behind the scenes in the arts offered empowering advice to middle school students at Poly Prep Country Day School, telling the youngsters at a special forum not to sit around and wait for that big break, but instead to be bold, believe in themselves and create their own opportunities in life.
“It’s important for young women to create their own work. Don’t wait for the work to come to you,” Toya Lillard, executive director of viBe Theater Experience, told the students a “Women in the Arts” forum held at Poly Prep’s Bay Ridge campus Friday night. Lillard also urged the youngsters to embrace their individuality. “Don’t be afraid to bring your authentic self,” she said.
The forum, which took place in the school’s Memorial Chapel, was put together by middle school students who belong to the Poly Prep Chapter of the Girl Up Club, an organization sponsored by the United Nations that has chapters all over the world dedicated to helping young women realize their potential.
The panelists invited by Poly Prep’s Girl Up Chapter to speak at the forum included visual artists, playwrights, theater directors, museum directors, online magazine editors, dancers and musicians – all offering the same message: Just do it.