In partnership with the Production Team and the NYC Department of Education, Situation Project brought over 700 students to a special performance of Buena Vista Social Club, a moving show rooted in the rhythms of 1950s Havana and inspired by the legendary Grammy-winning album. The experience offered more than just entertainment. It created space for students to see themselves on stage, connect with history through sound and story, and access the magic of live performance in the heart of New York City.
A First Step Into Broadway for Many
Walking into the theatre, students were greeted by ushers and volunteers from Situation Project, who helped guide them to their seats. Set against the backdrop of Havana’s golden age, Buena Vista Social Club tells the story of a group of forgotten musicians brought together for one last album. But more than that, it paints a portrait of resilience, creativity, and joy. The students clapped along with the music, whispered questions to their neighbors, and sat forward in their seats, completely absorbed.
A Curriculum Beyond the Classroom
The Buena Vista Social Club Matinee Mission program, created in partnership with the NYC Department of Education and Situation Project, is designed to deepen students’ engagement beyond the performance itself. Through accompanying arts education programming, students explore the historical and cultural significance of Cuban, Hispanic, and Afro-Caribbean heritage—the very heart of the production. With a focus on music, storytelling, and cross-cultural understanding, the program not only introduces students to the rich rhythms and improvisational elements of Cuban music but also gives them a chance to develop critical musical and analytical skills. For many, it’s a rare and formative opportunity to experience Broadway through both an artistic and educational lens.
A Conversation with the Cast
After the curtain call, students remained for a special talkback with cast members. The actors shared personal stories about their own paths to the stage, answered questions about rehearsal and preparation, and spoke openly about what it meant to tell this story, one that celebrates Afro-Cuban music, community, and intergenerational memory.
“Access is the first step, but what happens once a student is inside the theater matters just as much,” said Samara Berger, Executive Director of Situation Project. “This show speaks to identity, belonging, and artistic legacy. For many of our students, that kind of storytelling resonates on a deep and personal level.”
Turning a Seat into a Spark
Situation Project has spent the past decade working to ensure that more young people have access to Broadway and the broader cultural landscape of New York City. In partnership with schools and educators, the organization provides not only tickets, but wraparound experiences that connect live theater to classroom learning and student reflection.
“Our job isn’t to just get students in the room,” said Damian Bazadona, Founder of Situation Group. “It’s to create a moment. A moment that sticks. That opens something up. That makes a student think, ‘Maybe I belong here too.’ That’s what live theater can do when it’s done right—and that’s what we saw in that audience.”
Help Open More Doors
Through programs like this, arts access becomes more than a field trip. It becomes a foundation. A way to connect the cultural capital of New York City with the curiosity and brilliance of its next generation.
This June, Situation Project is raising funds to support even more life-changing experiences like this one. Every donation helps open the door to a first Broadway show, a conversation with an artist, or the moment a student begins to imagine a future in the arts.
Learn more and support the campaign here.
Inspired was created by Situation Project 501(c)3.
