About Face Theatre 07/08 Season

Outreach

"About Face Youth Theatre fearlessly attack(s) tricky issues… the show is wry, smart and moving."
- The Chicago Tribune

This year we present The Home Project, a 30-minute performance developed from true stories of Chicago-area youth who have experienced homelessness. A disproportionate 40% of youth living on the streets identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. This statistic indicates the persistent discrimination against LGBTQ youth in our culture. Each performance of The Home Project is followed by an interactive discussion led by an About Face Youth Theatre trained facilitator.

Schools and communities often struggle with violence and discrimination against youth who come out or who are perceived to be gay. Many teachers and administrators want to take action to create tolerant, inclusive, school communities.  But talking about sexuality issues is challenging, and often communities choose to remain silent about issues affecting youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and their allies (LGBTQA) until it's too late – more youth feel unsafe walking the halls, violence erupts, and a culture of discrimination pervades a school community.

Take the first step. About Face Youth Theatre's Outreach Tour is one of the country's most acclaimed programs designed to help schools create safe, nurturing environments for all youth by promoting understanding about issues facing LGBTQA youth"

"I feel more confident now in standing up for LGBTQ people. Those who are ignorant can eat my dust "
 - Student

Theatre as a catalyst for change. Our 30-minute original performance offers students an opportunity to experience dynamic theatre while critically engaging with ideas and issues that live in every school hall, classroom, and cafeteria. Each performance is followed by an interactive discussion about the ideas and questions raised in the play, and is facilitated by an About Face Theatre staff person and members of the cast.

"The search for a place where one belongs transcends youth and all the classifications they fear define or diminish them."
 - The Chicago Reader

Start the conversation. About Face Youth Theatre's innovative performance program is designed to provide a forum for dialogue to address sensitive issues of adolescent sexuality and violence. Since 1999, we have reached tens of thousands of students and teachers.

"…the students were encouraged to think about new ideas and they felt empowered to talk about how that made them feel.  All in all, it was education at its finest."
 - Student

Each performance is accompanied by facilitated dialogue between the audience, cast and staff.  Also available are workshops on building ally skills and performance development. AFYT tours with five actors, a full sound design and minimum technical requirements from our hosts. 

An AFYT visit can range from a workshop to a full performance.  Fees vary.
Call today to schedule an AFYT event in your community: 773-784-8565 x116.