By way of Ben Cameron’s July 2005 Field Letter, I discovered an interesting program Berkeley Rep is doing with teens called their Teen Council.
More than just an advisory council, the theatre provides opportunities for teens to participate in poetry slams, play readings, one act play festivals, playwrighting contests and trips to Broadway.
Though it isn’t mentioned on the theatre website, Cameron’s letter talks about a recent Teen Theatre Conference the rep sponsored where students participated in panel discussions and seminars, some lead by peers, others by working professionals. Topics covered concerns about drama programs in the student’ high schools and race as well as discussions about “Stage Management, Directing Your Peers, Developing your Presence as a Theater Artist, Auditioning, Fundraising and Designing Marketing Materials.”
Even without the support of Target Stores, I think any organization could adapt some of the strategies Berkeley Rep uses here to get younger people more involved with them than just having reduced ticket night. I don’t seem myself able to do many of these things directly, but their program has sparked some interesting ideas in my brain to attract the old and young alike.