1. Home
  2. »
  3. Education
  4. »
  5. About Face Youth Theatre

About Face Youth Theatre

2026-2027 Season

Applications for the Queer Youth Ensemble open November 1st!

This program is for individuals who are 12-20 years old.

What is the Queer Youth Ensemble?
The Queer Youth Ensemble is a paid program where you can collaborate on a collective vision with other young LGBTQ+ artists from around the city. You’ll learn how to use theatre as a tool for social change, while sharpening skills like public speaking, project management, and self expression. By the end of the program you’ll create a culminating group project that addresses issues that matter to YOU.
Why join Queer Youth Ensemble?
Our participants benefit from lifelong friendships, professional mentorship, access to resources, and artistic growth. AFYT is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment where LGBTQIA+ youth can thrive as artists, leaders, and agents of change.
The program will run Spring 2027 – Summer 2027.
Participants will be paid a $75 stipend per 3 hour session.
Meals and snacks will be provided.

Ready to apply? Please fill out the application and we’ll be in touch. We look forward to meeting you!

Questions? Email Director of Education and Artistic Programming Dionne Addai at dionne@aboutfacetheatre.com.

Check out the AFT Vantage Point Zine!

AFYT Production History

About Face Youth Theatre has been devising original plays about LGBTQIA+ lives and building community with queer youth for over 20 years. These are some of our previous productions:

  • Gayme Changers (2021-2022)
  • Whodunnit? A Groovy Queer Murder Mystery at Camp Forest Woods (2020-2021)
  • A Glow Up: The Hot Take From AFYT (2019-2020)
  • 20/20 (2018-2019)
  • Scary Stories to Save Your Life (2017-2018)
  • Brave Like Them: A Queer As Fuck Riot GRRRL Musical (2016-2017)
  • Ad Hoc Home (2015-2016)
  • 15 Breaths (2014-2015)
  • Checking Boxes (2013-2014)
  • What’s the T (Remount) (2012-2013)
  • What’s the T (2011-2012)
  • Queertopia (2009-2010)
  • Fast Forward (2007-2008)
  • The Home Project (2005-2006)
  • On the Record (2003-2004)
  • Up Until Now (2002-2003)
  • Inside Out (2001-2002)
  • In Real Life (2000-2001)
  • Raising Voices (1999-2000)
  • First Breath (1998-1999)

ABOUT AFYT AND QYE

Founded in 1999, About Face Youth Theatre (AFYT) is a brave and creative space. Our award-winning, nationally recognized program combine theatre training, social justice lessons, LGBTQ+ history, and opportunities for leadership development and activism. Through making original ensemble plays in dynamic collaborations we encourage and support LGBTQIA+ people to become powerful agents for change.

AFYT Program Highlights and Benefits

  • Participants can make life-long friends in the LGBTQ+ community
  • Become part of a citywide ensemble of young artists and activists
  • Free artistic training with professional artists
  • Access to professional mentorship from local leaders and activists
  • Connections to resources and support in different areas of life
  • Learn about social justice and LGBTQIA+ history
  • Leadership training and opportunities

AFYT Values

About Face Theatre is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the youth who participate in our programs and activities. Supervised and supported by AFT staff leadership, our AFYT Teaching and Guest Artists are dedicated to the wellbeing of our youth participants Here are a selection of the ways we ensure our AFYT learning environment:

We work Together
Teamwork makes the dream work. Our workshops and sessions emphasize ensemble-building and collaboration. Any staff member working with youth will also have a second support staff member or guest teacher present for any live workshops.

We take the Time that’s needed
Sometimes we can’t leave everything at the door. AFT provides adequate time each meeting to establish the well being of youth and ensure everyone has safe travel arrangements when applicable. We also work in collaboration with other support services and can make referrals for additional support when needed.

We know our Artists well
We understand the importance of knowing who our youth are working with. All persons who desire to work with or volunteer with the youth at AFT are screened through an application and interview process supplied by AFT and additionally complete Mandated Reporter training through the State of Illinois.

We work from the Personal
We encourage people to share the truth about their lives. Sometimes a story shared with the ensemble isn’t meant for a more public audience. At any point in the process, an ensemble member can revise or withdraw a story they are contributing to the process.

We practice Consent
Every person has different boundaries when it comes to physical touch and emotional capacity. AFT uses a consent-based model that requires content warnings for materials that may be sensitive to some, and asking for permission before touching others. Everyone has the right to refuse physical contact at any time.

We feed the Body and the Mind
No one can be at their best on an empty stomach. Snacks and sometimes meals are provided for all in-person AFYT workshops and sessions. All food is pre-packaged and labeled for allergy/sensitivity review before consumption.

We Speak up
Communication is key. In Group Agreements, program leadership decides which platforms of communication will be used and will limit all communication to Program platforms. There shall be no staff-to-youth contact outside of program activities. Private communication to youth and friending youth on social media are prohibited.

We hold each other Accountable
AFYT uses Group Agreements to establish behavior norms and build shared understanding for participation. The Group Agreements are posted in highly visible areas and all ensemble members sign a contract stating their commitment to the Group Agreements.