About Us.

PALEF programs provide performing arts training to youth and young adults ages 14 to 25 in South Los Angeles

Established in 1994

Since, the Performing Arts for Life and Education Foundation (PALEF), has provided performing arts education services to more than 4600 underserved youth and young adults of south Los Angeles. The PALEF Summer Intensive is the organization's hallmark “Introduction to Musical Theater” course and internship based on the classical plays of Shakespeare through a modern interpretive lens.

Our Goal

The Performing Arts for Life and Education Foundation (PALEF) seeks to empower youth and underserved communities through exposure to a variety of performing arts disciplines. Our programs and services target youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 25 and specifically serves residents of Council Districts 8, 9 and 10 in Los Angeles, California. 

Our Team

Charles Douglass
Member

Board of Directors Co-founder and Artistic Director

Barbara Reece
Chair

Board of Directors Actress, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Deborah Sharpe-Taylor
​​Secretary

Board of Directors Actress, Writer, Director

Chester Whitmore​
​​Treasurer

Board of Directors Choreographer and Band Leader

Rev. Dr. DiAnn L. Johnson
Member

Board of Directors Minister, Humanitarian, Degreed Black Belt

How are we funded ?

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).