Creativity Takes Center Stage at Co-Op After School

As the 2025–2026 academic year enters its final months, students in Dwight Hall’s Co-Op After School (CAS) program held their annual musical showcase, “Chicago.” CAS is a collaboration between Dwight Hall and New Haven’s Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School that provides diverse after-school activities, creating an inclusive and enriching environment for hundreds of participants. 

Co-Op After School complements Co-Op High School’s arts programming and provides students with academic and arts programming that is open to students from across all 20 towns and cities surrounding New Haven from any grade level.  

Co-Op High School is one of the sites of Dwight Hall’s Service Series, where Yale tutors sign up to assist high school students in classes ranging from one to three days per week. 

Co-Op students, Dwight Hall at Yale volunteers, and program staff create student-driven programs that engage participants in a wide range of artistic and educational offerings. CAS features a variety of classes, including Debate Club, Podcasting and Radio Journalism, Visual Arts Open Studio, Gamers Group, and leadership-focused programs such as Community Service Club and the Gender-Sexuality Alliance, among others. 

CAS’s Tutoring and College Prep programs are designed to support Co-Op students as they plan and pursue their post-secondary goals. In addition to academic tutoring, Dwight Hall volunteers assist students with SAT preparation, college essay writing, and guidance on choosing majors and career paths. This individualized support helps students navigate the early stages of the college application process with confidence. 

Reflecting on the program’s evolution, CAS Program Director Paul Bryant Hudson shared, “Over the years, we’ve moved away from traditional, instructor-led teaching models toward a more student-led approach. Our programs are shaped by what Co-Op High School students want to be involved in, and they increasingly take ownership as co-facilitators. For example, in Visual Arts Open Studio, a different student leads each week’s session, teaching their chosen medium with support from teachers. Students also promote the workshops, and their peers sign up to participate. This shift has transformed how our program functions.” 

Paul continued to state how proud he is of how many students have taken advantage of the academic and art support resources that the program offers. “Historically, tutoring and library support have been underutilized, but we have worked to create a culture of support that students are willing to engage with. As a result of CAS, students have become tighter knit where now they are actively socializing and taking advantage of available volunteers.” 

One of CAS’s signature offerings is the annual Co-Op musical, which engages the student body in a theatrical production of a well-known show. This year, more than 70 students participated in a production of Chicago, dedicating over 200 hours to rehearsals. Their efforts resulted in sold-out performances in the 325-seat main stage theater in March 2026. Each year, the musical brings together the entire school community and families and concludes with a post-performance appreciation dinner. 

Paul extends his thanks to the musical cast and crew; the adults who worked on the production, including the director and co-director; the parents who supported the musical by providing food during tech week and the production; Dwight Hall; and all of CAS’s funders and sponsors. 

Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 academic year, Co-Op After School plans to build on its current initiatives, continue encouraging students to develop their own curricula, and expand partnerships with local community organizations. 

The work of Co-Op After School is made possible with support from the Carolyn Foundation, the NewAlliance Foundation and a new collaboration with the National Endowment of the Arts. This private and federal support complements core After School Grant Program funding from the Connecticut State Department of Education. 

Paul’s work and Co-Op After School exemplify the Advance pillar of Dwight Hall’s Engage, Grow, and Advance program delivery model by fostering innovative, collaborative programming that promotes lasting social change. 

* Photo credits to Lucy Gellman