By Jessica Kenney

Somerville has a brand new youth arts organization that allows young people to express their creative and artistic interests and talents. The group is called Somerville Arts for Youth, or SAY. They are a non-profit organization established to create opportunities in arts education for the youth in Somerville. Their director, Charles Jabour, says he is thrilled to be on board with this new program.

Charles has experience in non-profit administration from his work at institutions such as the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and the New York Public Library. In these positions, he has produced full seasons of arts and cultural events. He was on the programming team for the Margaret Mead Film Festival at the American Museum of Natural History for five years. Charles is a theater educator who focuses on issues of diversity teaches things relevant to our culture today. In Somerville, he is best known for directing the most recent spring musical productions at the John F. Kennedy School and Somerville High School.

Three years ago, Charles was introduced to a group of Somerville parents that were working on creating new theater opportunities for the youth in Somerville. Charles got involved in their work and since then, the group has put together a number of productions as well as fundraisers for an after school program. They have also come up with ways to expand their work and help it reach the entire city. The group is extremely excited about SAY and fulfilling their goals of bringing arts education and opportunities across the city of Somerville.

SAY has many goals for the youth it reaches. Charles stated, “We have some big ideas for the future, including a theater training institute for young people.” That institute will be launched this summer in partnership with the Davis Square Theatre. “Our goal is to partner, support, and build upon the rich cultural resources that are already offered in Somerville,” says Jabour.

SAY is celebrating the talent of the Somerville youth with a benefit cabaret performance featuring Somerville’s young people. The event takes place Wednesday, April 27 at the Davis Square Theatre, 255 Elm Street in Somerville. Doors and a cash bar open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are on sale now at http://sayinc.brownpapertickets.com/.