• Life Skills
  • Employment Skills
  • Acting Classes for Teens and Young Adults
  • Beyond the stage

Barbara Reece

Chair,  Board of Directors Actress, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

PALEF  is led by a committed l all volunteer staff of professionals. Co-founder and Artistic Director, Charles Douglass has guided the work of our organization for more than two decades. 

The Performing Arts for Life and Education Foundation believes that youth are a vital resources and with development and exposure to arts study, they can achieve life-long success.  At PALEF, we are giving youth a dramatic break in life. 

        The Performing Arts for Life and Education Foundation

Reverend Dr. DiAnn L. Johnson

Member,  Board of Directors

Minister, Humanitarian, Degreed Black Belt

Our Team

Charles Douglass

Member,  Board of Directors

Co-founder and Artistic Director

PALEF is funded by grants from  County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas and The Los Angeles County  Probation Department, The California Arts Council, The National Arts and Disability Center of the ADA, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA).

Meet Our board

  • My Summer with Shakespeare
  • Live Theatrical Productions
  • Civic Engagement and Collaboration
  • Mentorship and Coaching

Join Us

arts in Action

Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas. Please contact us at 213-359-4500 or email us at palef4youth@gmail.com to join our team and to support our work

Deborah Sharpe-Taylor

Secretary,  Board of Directors Actress, Writer, Director

Our Mission

Chester Whitmore

Treasurer,  Board of Directors Choreographer and Band Leader

Our Silver Anniver​sary Celebration 

A Caribbean Canavale Atmosphere!!


DUE TO THE CURRENT PANDEMIC WE HAVE MOVED OUR SILVER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION UNTIL LATE IN THE YEAR!


THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT AND WE WILL SEE YOU THEN!!