YOUTH SPEAK THEATRE

Benefits to the Local Community:

  

Helps to begin a dialogue among youth in each of the communities where youth

feel safe to speak about what matters to one another.

​

  Youth recognize that they have something to say and something to

  contribute to building a vision for their community and defining the

  issues. ​

​

  Assists youth to build friends and allies among themselves so that they

  feel they can speak to others in the community about what affects

  them. 

​

  Provides all youth with an intense experience of inclusion where each

  begins to understand the experience of other youth in a direct and

  personal way.  Increases awareness of the issues of marginalization.



  Assists youth to find artistic expression to complex social dynamics and

  power dynamics.

 

  Assists youth to begin problem solving some of the issues they

  experience in an “all youth forum” where they feel they can experiment

  with new possibilities for action.



  Local Facilitators learn what it takes to create a safe place for youth to

  explore the circumstances of their lives.

​

  Local youth gain leadership experience by offering Forum Theatre to other youth in their community.