Teens Speak Up

Check back for updates on next year’s application cycle. 

Thank you for another amazing year of Speak up!

Thanks to the generous support of foundations, corporations, and individuals, this program is offered entirely free of charge to all students from grades 7-12.

Questions? Send an email to the program coordinator, Karen O’Hanlon, or call us at (888) 455-4212.

Students will learn a little about a lot during our 6-week program, including:

• Acting
• Writing
• Directing
• Designing
• Improvisation
• Team-Building
• Telling Your Story
• Performing in front of an audience

Since 2006, Teens Speak Up has focused on empowering junior high and high school students to find their unique voice and talent. The summer culminates in an original show that they write and perform for a live audience!

Starting in 2018, the program expanded to include Spectrum Speak Up, a separate session for teenagers who have been diagnosed with high-functioning Autism, Asperger’s, or PDD-NOS.

More about our process

This six-week summer program focuses on empowering teens by helping them to find their unique voice and talent. Through traditional ensemble-building techniques, improvisation, and playwriting exercises, students will be guided in the creation of an original play. Students from grades 7-12 will learn the basics of script analysis, objectives, actions, and character analysis, and apply this to their playwriting and acting with the goal of cultivating the ability to honestly listen and respond on stage while making dynamic choices. Through exercises, students will also grow their concentration and awareness, emotional freedom and connection, and self-confidence. This program will provide a safe place for students to be part of an ensemble giving a voice to their generation, creatively exploring storytelling, and leaving with a strong acting foundation taught by professional Chance Artists. No matter where their curiosity and talent lies, the theater has an outlet for everyone.

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About our Speak Up programs

For over a decade, the Chance has been helping our community to find their voice and “speak up” about their lives and experiences. We give them the opportunity to speak so that we have the opportunity to listen. Greater understanding fosters greater empathy. Through these programs, we hope to contribute to a more connected, compassionate, and creative community.

To find out more, click on one of our Speak Up programs below:

» Watch our Community Director
- from 2020 Virtual Gala

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Support Our Speak Up programs

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, all participants receive full scholarships for this program. Sponsorships for Speak Up participants are $600. Please make a donation below or consider volunteering.

Donate Now  |  Volunteer Now

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Bring Speak Up to Your Community

Let us help you tell your stories.

Submit Speak Up Interest Form