Free Street Youth Ensemble
Each year, Free Street trains young people from across Chicago — from Bronzeville to Buena Park — at our Pulaski Park location. They arrive with all levels of theater experience and leave with something larger: the skills to use performance as a tool for social justice. Youth meet weekly with our lead teaching artists to develop storytelling, research, and community organizing skills. We partner with local grassroots organizations so that learning happens both in the rehearsal room and in the communities. And because we believe in supporting youth work holistically and equitably, we pay youth for every rehearsal and performance, provide hot meals during late sessions, and cover transportation — including rideshares — for students who live far from our site.
This Year: be the SPARK!
This year’s youth ensemble show, spark, is all about finding the spark that makes you believe you can change the world before anyone else does. We invite you to be the spark for our youth ensemble, and make a donation that supports the beginning of an art-ivists career.
spark opens May 1 and runs through the end of the month.
Secure your tickets today!
Support the Work
Donate today, and be the spark that keeps the youth ensemble thriving & growing.
| $5,000 — Set the Stage |
Our education programs are not possible without teaching artists, and our productions cannot happen without supplies & equipment. Donate at this level to either sponsor the production materials & equipment needed to bring a youth show performance to life, or support a teaching artist’s year of work. From our Park Kids program, youth ensemble, and community workshops, invest in the Free Street teaching artists as they create innovative curriculum, provide mentorship, and develop critical skills for all the youth Free Street engages with. |
| $2,000 — Youth Work Is Work |
A core value of Free Street is to pay artists a fair and equitable wage, that includes our youth – their time, creativity and labor is valuable. Be a student benefactor for our Youth Ensemble for one year and help them realize their creative potential such as research, social awareness and leadership skills.. |
| $1,000 — Be the Bridge |
Overcome geographic barriers for students by providing transportation access. We know getting across Chicago may not be feasible for all youth. We strive for student safety while coming to and from Free Street. |
| $250 — Crosstown Exchange |
Connect students with the performing arts by sponsoring one Chicago Public School field trip to watch the Spring show. |
| $30 — It’s On Us |
From school to rehearsal eliminate any financial and time strain by covering a youth’s meal when it means the most. |
Design and Production Team
Directed by Katrina Dion (Producing Artistic Director) with Marilyn Carteno & Xitlali Celeste
Assistant Director & Sound: Gina Montalvo | Scenic Design: Eleanor Kahn | Lighting: Conchita Avitia | Costume: Sal Yvat | Projections: Eme Ospina-Lopez | Production Electrician: Quinn Chisenhall | Technical Director: James Doolittle