NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon 2026

The 52nd Street Project has been my favorite place in New York City for almost 20 years. I have watched young people build their confidence and feel empowered while being cheered on and supported by some of the most brilliant adults I know. The work that The Project does is necessary and unmatched. I am honored anytime they ask me to participate in one of their many programs, and want them to be able to provide those programs to the young people of Hell's Kitchen for years and years to come. 

52 Project Mission Statement:

The mission of The 52nd Street Project, a community-based arts organization, is to bring together kids from Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, starting at age nine and lasting through their teens, with theater professionals to create original theater offered free to the general public. By building on the core experience of accomplishment and collaboration, the Project fosters a sense of inclusion in a place where the children belong and where their creative work is the driving force. Through long-term mentoring relationships and exposure to diverse art forms (including Poetry, Photography, Theatrical Design, Dance, and Filmmaking), the Project seeks to expand the children’s means of expression and to improve their literacy, their life skills and their attitude towards learning.

52 Project Information: 

The Project was founded in 1981 by actor/playwright Willie Reale in response to a deepening need to improve the quality of life for the young people of Hell’s Kitchen. Willie tapped into his network of artist-activists and began creating original, intergenerational theatre with the young people of Hell’s Kitchen. Today, The Project offers year-round playwriting and acting programs, in which young people learn the basics of creating a play and collaborating with professional theater artists. Most of our programs culminate in free, public performances. We also provide varied arts programming (poetry, dance, songwriting, visual art), mentorships (smart partners), and youth development programs (homework help, college prep, teen employment, creative group therapy), giving the Project a holistic approach to supporting its young people. We focus on long-term, meaningful engagement. This means prioritizing individual growth and resources for each young person, while also cultivating a strong sense of community. The ensemble of over 150 volunteer theater/arts professionals we work with each year is key to this sense of community; and we welcome volunteers at all stages of their careers, whether they are emerging or well-known artists.