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Our Mission & Focus

BRITE is a program of the nonprofit organization Reality Improv Connection, Inc. (RICI). RICI’s mission is to promote health and well-being through the arts. BRITE stands for Building Resilience and Inclusion Through Engagement and focuses on supporting youth and young adults (ages 12–25) through writing, art, photography, video production, social media campaigns, leadership and spokesperson opportunities around issues they care about. 

Our Mission & Focus

BRITE is a program of the nonprofit organization Reality Improv Connection, Inc. (RICI). RICI’s mission is to promote health and well-being through the arts. BRITE stands for Building Resilience and Inclusion Through Engagement and focuses on supporting youth and young adults (ages 12–25) through writing, art, photography, video production, social media campaigns, leadership and spokesperson opportunities around issues they care about. 

Discover BRITE in a Whole New Way! Experience our website like never before with our 3D virtual environment. Join us via avatar and explore all that BRITE has to offer in an immersive, interactive setting. Click the link below to enter through Virtway's Immersive Web.

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Our Mission & Focus

BRITE is a program of the nonprofit organization Reality Improv Connection, Inc. (RICI). RICI’s mission is to promote health and well-being through the arts. BRITE stands for Building Resilience and Inclusion Through Engagement and focuses on supporting youth and young adults (ages 12–25) through writing, art, photography, video production, social media campaigns, leadership and spokesperson opportunities around issues they care about. 

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EDUCATION

We offer many popular workshops for middle schools, high schools, colleges and youth groups. We have presentations for parents, school staff and communities. Live workshops and presentations are offered in person or virtual.  BRITE also specializes in interactive online content for use by teachers, parents or individual learners.

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ENGAGEMENT

BRITE engages young people through writing, art, photography, video production, live performances, social media campaigns, leadership & spokesperson opportunities. We support youth groups & clubs, service learning, capstone, community and individual projects.  We offer internships, community service hours and references.

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BRITE MEDIA

In addition to supporting youth video projects, our Media Department produces professional videos, audio recordings and livestream events.  Our new in-house studio hosts our community partners and provides the space, equipment and professional services such as project development, camera operation and editing. We can also work off-site.

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Volunteer
BRITE engages young people through writing, art, photography, video production, live performances, social media campaigns, leadership & spokesperson opportunities.

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 About Us


Founded by Executive Director Katherine Kasmir in 2005, the program grew from her background in Applied Improvisation and Social Change Theatre, methods that use performance and collaboration to spark dialogue, develop creativity, build skills, and inspire positive change.

Originally launched as a youth-led social change theatre program, Straight Up expanded its scope and rebranded as BRITE to reflect a broader mission and growing range of arts-based youth programs including prevention and education initiatives. Today, we combine theatre, media production, and interactive arts with prevention education to address issues such as substance use, mental health, inclusion, and other topics that youth identify as important in their lives and communities.

Our programs, whether live performances, youth-led media projects, or immersive 3D learning, engage people in creative experiences that educate, connect, and inspire lasting change.

Currently, we are a staff of 12 employees who enjoy working together and with our community partners.  We are pleased to engage a few interns and a terrific group of volunteers of all ages - but mostly young people between the ages of 12-25.

 

Meet The BRITE Team

Featured Events & Activities 

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BRITE WRITE

Write to relax, to imagine, to express, to ask, to advocate. We will explore a wide range of topics from personal strength and resilience to small joys and gratitude.

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BRITE Connections

We believe that through thoughtful and tactful storytelling, we can illuminate difficult-to-discuss topics for the purpose of unity, growth, and healing. Click below to learn more about BRITE CONNECTIONS.

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SUICIDE PREVENTION

BRITE suicide prevention activities include live events, webinars, video contests, blog posts, coping skills workshops, suicide prevention walks, artwork, PSAs, and filmmaking.

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Help BRITE support more youth and young adults this school year! Your donation helps us provide more opportunities to youth and more services to schools such as drug and alcohol prevention education, leadership training, mental health and positive coping skills activities, and more. Thank you!   ❤️

 The BRITE program does not promote any unlawful use of drugs or alcohol.