Fekiane and Lezley

When I started directing plays with youths in 1993, I always gave them the opportunity to comment on the characters, the dialogue and how these characters delivered the lines.  At first, their responses were lukewarm, but after awhile, they felt safer to respond.  As I took their opinions seriously and used them in the scripts, their voices got louder.  As there voices got louder, the work got better, more intense and more passionate.  Then I started giving them more opportunities to make decisions about the bigger picture and what we were doing.  This has been my approach with kids for many many years.

Five years ago a mini-grant came to my attention from The Consultation Center in New Haven that permitted youth stipends for their participation and activities in the mini-grant.  I asked five students if they would like to write and direct a to be determined project for stipends.  They were adamant that they wanted to do it.  So we sat down immediately to write the grant together.  Out of that mini-grant came my first writers, directors and core leaders.  My group of participants (about 30) hosted and executed a youth forum with 50 other youths from throughout CT.  It was such a successful project.

I now incorporate stipends for the youth leaders because they showed me that they can WORK in the performing arts industry.  I can train them valuable skills, they can execute and they can earn some money.  And the parents appreciate that their kids are “working.”  Of course, evaluations are important.  The youth leaders can’t just get the stipend without setting goals and achieving those goals.  I’ll talk about that another day.

As a result of this experience, in 2011, 20 kids wrote, developed, produced and performed a great play, “Dying to Live.”  It was performed at the Downtown Cabaret Theater lending a great sense of professionalism.  The youths made a believer out of me.  They broke a glass ceiling for me.

I have seen the power of the youth’s voice with other youths.  By using their voice, they are empowered to deliver their message.  And when they deliver their message, they empower other youths with positive images.  It is the greatest model with young people.

It is my vision to have a building, with a full length neon sign outside, buzzing with creativity.  I envision visitors marveling at the colors, artwork and dreamy furniture.  While they wait for their appointment, they relax at the juice bar run by youths.  As they scan the space, they find that the entire building is run by youths.  When they enter the studio spaces, they see many different projects going on all driven by the youths.  Youth voice is so different from an adult voice.  I believe that the adults should be there to guide them and to help them learn the right principles.  But most of all, adults need to build a safe platform for them to dream and then trust them to create those dreams.

To me that is Youth Development.

DonnaSue de Guzman

YES IT TAKES LONGER!  AND YES THE ADULT HAVE TO LET GO AND HAVE FAITH THAT THEY CAN INDEED DO IT.  TO THIS DAY BEFORE I GO TO REHEARSAL OR CLASS I REMIND MY SELF TO TAKE A STEP BACK.

SEE WHAT THE KIDS ARE SAYING ABOUT YOUTH LEADERSHIP