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CUMEP VISION

Every child, artist and teacher harnesses and spreads joy through 

culture, creativity and teaching community wherever they go. 

CUMEP MISSION

CUMEP empowers and uplifts children of all walks of life so they can develop 

self-awareness, academic success and social/civic responsibility 

through the performing arts.  

CUMEP WINTER CAMP: THEATRE INTENSIVE

CUMEP Winter Camp 2024 included 25 participants who received a week of pre-professional Theatre Intensive training. Based on  20 years of the CUMEP curriculum and technique, “CUMEP” the musical and theatre intensive program was created and directed by CUMEP's Theatre Director, Nicole-Bethany Onwuka! (aka "Ms. Nikki Beth"). Students engaged in classes and learned introductory techniques across all spectrums of performance including musical theatre, dancing, acting, stage combat, singing and more. CUMEP participants also had the opportunity to choose electives in technical theatre (stage management, intro to set design and more).  CUMEP winter camp participants also learned how to audition and have professional rehearsal etiquette. In an effort to encourage our children to feel a sense of belonging in the theatre & on the stage, our program took place at Ithaca High School's Kulp Black Box Theatre and dance studio.

The experience has been INCREDIBLE!!!!

MORE ABOUT CUMEP

The Community Unity Music Education Program (CUMEP) is a 20-year-old multicultural performing arts and human rights educational experience that provides free and low cost music, poetry, performance, visual arts, literacy, math, and human rights education. Guided by a Black consciousness curriculum CUMEP operates programming throughout the community and primarily at the historically Black & female-led Southside Community Center in Ithaca, New York, CUMEP is a multi-age/generational audience of youth artists and activists (artivists) that learn and teach explicit lessons often untaught.