Teens
Teens ‘N’ Theater (TNT) provides teenagers with an opportunity to develop positive self-esteem, responsibility and commitment by participating in the theatrical process. Opportunities to act, direct, write, design and stage manage are available. This unique program meets the demand for constructive, after-school programming and is offered free of charge to participating teens.
The TNT show schedule is provided below. For information on teen classes and auditions, please view the options on the green bar above.
Teens ’N’ Theater Season
Pride
Players
Directed by the Theater’s educational director and playwright-in-residence
Brian Guehring, the Pride Players use improvisation to create songs, poetry,
monologues, scenes and skits that explore what it means to be a gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender or straight-allied teen in Omaha. This talented
group has taken on issues such as youth activism, suicide, AIDS, “coming
out” and
being proud of who you are.
Pride Players is the winner of a 2006 National Education Association Human and Civil Rights Award!
A scripted version of the best skits, monologues and poems from the first five years has been compiled
and is now being offered to theaters, Gay/Straight Alliances and gay teen support groups.
For more information, click here.
Internship Project
TNT offers a challenging and engaging Internship Project each season. For
example, King Chemo, written and directed by the Theater’s award-winning
playwright-in-residence Brian Guehring, captures the emotions, fears and
hopes of an imaginative boy and girl who battle with leukemia. This
powerful production was based on Guehring’s own experiences undergoing
chemotherapy.
Broken Mirror
The 30-member cast of Broken Mirror includes girls from all backgrounds
who explore topics such as society’s perception of the “ideal” body
image, peer pressure, sex, self-mutilation and parental relationships. The
process for developing Broken Mirror involves six weeks of theater
games, improvisational techniques and creative writing. The teen
actors spend many hours rehearsing and sharing their candor, insight,
humor, intelligence and courage. The
result of their efforts is an original, heartfelt production in which girls
learn about themselves and share their discoveries with the audience.
Young, Gifted and Black
Founded and directed by Nebraska Arts Council Master Artist Sheila Rocha,
Young, Gifted & Black is a youth ensemble that explores the African American experience
by performing the works of great African American playwrights. Through
her work with the troupe, Rocha seeks to develop the next generation’s
artistic leaders of color.
