Proud Theater - an award-winning, exciting and innovative youth theater program designed to foster self-expression and self-empowerment for Madison-area youth – is opening its doors through November 30, 2011 to youth ages 13 to 18 interested in changing the world through the power of theater. Proud Theater was founded in late 1999 by Sol Kelley-Jones and Callen Harty and is currently aligned with Outreach, Inc – Madison’s LGBTQ resource center. Proud theater is open to any youth who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ), or who are the children of LGBTQ parents, or who are allies of the LGBTQ community at large.
The youth gather Wednesday nights starting September 14th, 5:30pm throughout the school year at James Reeb Unitarian Universalist in Madison where they improvise, create, and perform theatrical pieces, poetry and music that reflect the realities of their young lives. They then share their work at performances throughout the year in the larger community – ending the year with a cumulative production. This year’s performance will be May 3-5, 2012 7:30 PM at the Fredric March Play Circle in Madison, including a 2:30 PM matinee on May 5.
The teens of Proud Theater collaboratively create all the plays and theatrical pieces themselves, with guidance from Proud Theater Artistic Director Brian Wild and prominent adult members of the Madison community. These include Callen Harty – Local Playwright and recent Artistic Director of Broom Street Theater, Sol Kelly-Jones – Proud Theater Co-founder and LGBTQ activist, Artistic Director of Broom Street Theater Heather Renken, Emma Zeldin and Josie Montanez-Tyler – LGBTQ activists, Musical Director Galen Olsen, and Technical Director Morey Burnard.
Proud Theater is supported as a project through Outreach Inc, and is associated with Art & Soul Innovations and other members of the Madison area theater and business community. Proud Theater also enjoys generous support from The Mukti Group - dedicated to the support and development of LGBTQ youth through theatrical works across the country. The Mukti Group recently awarded Proud Theater a $7500 grant to help expand their reach and community involvement. Proud Theater also intends to open a new chapter of the group October 1st in Wausau, WI.
The emphasis on original theater, music, prose and poetry makes Proud Theater stand out among other like groups from across the country. Homophobia presents many challenges in the lives of young people. As a result, these self-described “queer” youth may be more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to experience depression, family estrangement, school problems, and substance abuse. In response, Proud Theater offers encouragement, inspiration, and support on many different levels. It builds upon the youths’ innate resilience—providing them with community, security, peer support, and mentorship. This in turn, contributes to their positive engagement with school, overall health, self-esteem and stability.
Proud Theater's tradition of celebrating rainbow symbols has a dual meaning for those members of the group who have multiracial identities. In addition to producing pieces that work to counter homophobia, anti-racist and multicultural themes are integrated into their works.
For youth interested in becoming part of Proud Theater, please contact Proud Theater at 608-222-9086 or by e-mail – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Donations can be made to Proud Theater through Outreach, Inc. or visit Proud Theater on the web at www.proudtheater.org.