A Safe, Creative, and Non-Judgmental Space
Our seven-week theatre project brings together a diverse group of youth from the Westerville area to create, share, and connect through artist workshops, acting, music, movement, storytelling and writing exercises. Our youth artists create an original piece of theatre, using their personal experiences and stories from their communities to tackle prevalent issues. Individuality, struggles of self-worth, and finding your voice are just a few themes the ensemble has explored. We’ve written original songs, composed music and performed powerful choreography. Every word is written exclusively by the ensemble. Our performances develop a unique opportunity for dialogue within the community. The program culminates in two community performances.
Sharing Our Experience
Summer Project
In May 2017 we launched our inaugural program. The 6–week workshop engaged 10 young people in a collaborative theatre-making process in which they shared their life stories and experiences as the basis for a script that they wrote and performed. The workshop culminated in 2 live performances titled Finding the Missing ‘I’ in Westerville in July 2017. In summer 2018 another group of 10 young people comprised of new and returning members engaged in the same collaborative process. Their original production, To Be Heard, premiered in July 2018 in Westerville.
Professional development
In 2020, Brave Young Voices took to the community to provide high-quality leadership development through the power of theatre! Our first workshop series— exploring themes and topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion, leadership development, and The Power of Storytelling— compelling enough partners to look to BYV for creative and effective leadership development.
Experiencing the BYV process within the framework of a training in various topics is a unique and effective way of building community. Practicing methods of expression in theatre grow that sense of team/community who will rise to the challenge and models what is possible for individuals and the group at large. Contact us for more information!
We are honored to partner with our high-stakes leaders in co-creating our community in Westerville and Columbus with acceptance, love, and unity!
What is the BYV Process?
We tackle difficult themes in a creative and thought-provoking way. We create a safe space in order to bring diverse youth together for a shared common goal of building bridges and tearing down divides. We believe youth should be a part of the conversation and not THE conversation.
MOVEMENT
an act of changing physical location or position / a form of expression and how we develop and explore character
CREATIVITY
relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas / being in the moment; unlocking and stretching our imagination
CONNECTION
being associated or linked with something else / building our community and being a part of something
AUTHENTICITY
not false or copied / being true and honest with yourself, the group, and in our art-making
COLLABORATION
to work jointly or with others / working as an ensemble through consultation to give everyone a voice
Add Your Voice
Are you a local artist or business that wants to collaborate? Searching for a volunteer opportunity? Have something you’d like to donate? Opportunities for auditions, jobs, and internships are posted below.
We’re currently hiring for:
Stage Manager
Workshop leaders/community artists
Production Crew
Email us at info@braveyoungvoices.org for job descriptions and more information!
What’s Next
School’s out Project
The School’s Out Project offers youth an opportunity to engage in collaboration and discovery of important causes of the community. More details to come.