The Palo Alto Children’s Theater is planning its kickoff event for the Teen Arts Council, a new organization that gives youth a voice through creative self-expression and community leadership, according to Coordinating Adviser Amanda Lin Carlson.
“[At the event] we’ll describe what the Teen Arts Council is, what the executive positions are, and how to apply and get community service hours,” Carlson said. “There’ll also be a free barbecue and raffle prizes.”
Inspiration for starting the council came from the teen suicides that have been happening in Palo Alto.
“We wanted to develop a program as a response to the suicides, even though the council isn’t only going to focus on that,” said Judge Luckey, artistic director of the Children’s Theater.
“Rather, we want to let arts give a voice to teens through self-expression and empowering productions,” Luckey continued. “That includes developing arts programs for teenagers, giving small grants to youth for their creative initiatives, and forming leadership groups to integrate all arts at various high schools around Palo Alto.”
“It’ll [the Teen Arts Council] develop a powerful social network of teens involved in the arts,” he said.
Carlson also stressed the importance of having an outlet for creative leadership within the community.
“The executive board members will have the opportunity to determine what activities and events they want to engage in,” she explained. “They can organize an art showing, writing contest, Battle of the Bands-type thing, and so forth. There’s a lot of room for experimentation.”
Council members will also support various shows and events put on around the city, like the upcoming Children’s Theater production of Night of the Living Dead and the Día de los Muertos festival, according to Carlson.
“They’ll [council members] be able to help with the performance and design of those functions themselves, as well as contribute to publicity and outreach efforts,” she said.
Aside from community service activities, the Teen Arts Council will be able to see different shows and visit venues around the Bay Area, Luckey said, citing Green Day’s American Idiot at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre as an example.
“Being able to visit extraordinary theaters and to see unique paintings allows students to draw inspiration from everywhere,” Carlson said. “A lot of our nearby artistic treasure is under-appreciated, especially by younger audiences.”
The Teen Arts Council has four executive positions, 15 board members and an open general membership, according to Carlson. Interested high school students should attend the kickoff event at 5 p.m. on Oct. 3 in the Palo Alto Children’s Theater at 1305 Middlefield Rd., or e-mail [email protected] for more information.