Developing young people as artists and citizens through outstanding experiential theatre training in a context of civic engagement and community building
The Young Core Company cultivates a professional theatre environment in a culture of fun, inclusion, and supported risk-taking. The YCC welcomes actors, writers, directors, stage managers, and designers.
About
JOIN THE COMPANY
Introducing our first YCC Summer Production!
The Wave (and what came after)
By Holly Arsenault
About the Play: When failing YouTuber, Penguin, and their sardonic sidekick, Bob, decide to turn their channel into an eco-anarchist-prank show, they just think it will be an easy way to get the attention of the masses (and earn the approval of Penguin’s real estate mogul mother). But when they find themselves as the unlikely faces of a real eco-anarchist collective, they learn that what they do can actually – maybe?? – make a difference, that hope holds best in community, and that love (not likes) is the most powerful catalyst for action we’ve got.
Rehearsals: July 7 – 25, Monday – Friday, 12:30pm – 4:30pm
(Tech Rehearsals July 22 – 25)
Performances: July 25 @ 7pm, July 26 @ 7pm, July 27 @ 2pm
Rehearsals in ACT’s 8th Floor Rehearsal Room
Tech and Performances in ACT’s Falls Theatre
Casting Information: There are roles for 12 actors. Registration in the program guarantees you a role; specific casting decisions are made at the start of the rehearsal process. 7 roles have more significant line loads; 5 roles are more movement/clown based, and are responsible for co-creating/devising the physical comedy and multi-character roles that drive the story. Everyone will have lots to do! For any questions, and/or for an advance copy of the script please contact the Director, Shana Bestock.
A Note from the Playwright: Please fill your company with your most inventive, collaborative, brave, and nimble performers. The script demands a lot of them in terms of world-building, and they are the ones who will make sure that your production of this play is completely yours, and not anything that could be repeated by any other group at any other time. Give them as much freedom as you can to explore and create.
Production Roles: To sign up for ASM/Run Crew, and/or to assist on Costume, Scenic, or Light Design, please contact Shana before registering to confirm your role.
All ACT Education Programs are Pay-What-You-Choose.
The Wave (and what came after) is a new script based on Underwater Weather, which was developed in collaboration with the YCC and premiered at ACT’s 2024 New Works Northwest Festival.
Stage Management Camp
ACT’s Stage Management Camp is a 3-day intensive for those ages 14+ who are interested in theatrical production, focusing on core job skills with rotating special topics each session. Learn key skills from professional stage managers, and get an inside look at the day-to-day responsibilities of the job.
ACT ON STAGE: This Summer is Mid
Ages 14 – 19
August 18 – 22
12:30pm – 5pm
Final performance Friday, August 22 @ 4pm in ACT’s Bullitt Cabaret
A show in a week? It’s a dream!
This fun and fast-paced production class offers up hilarious characters, modern- day magic and delightful mayhem, culminating in a performance at ACT’s Bullitt Cabaret for family and friends.
It’s summer in Athens, California, and the grueling heat has local teens coming out of their skin. Two groovy kids, Obie and Tati, have the answer to beat the heat, parental pressures, and unrequited love: an unforgettable epic party for all: preps, goths, even the theater kids. But when Obie’s mischievous little sibling, Pip starts spreading around the spiked punch, suddenly this summer night becomes a dream they’ll never forget. A modern retelling of Shakespeare’s faery-filled comedy, This Summer is Mid is a brand-new play by New York City-based and Seattle-raised playwright Aliza Jane Cosgrove, to celebrate the exciting merger of ACT and SSC.
Interested in joining the YCC? Fill out this form and we’ll make sure you learn about upcoming opportunities!
SEE A SHOW
The Wave (and what came after)
July 25 at 7pm, July 26 at 7pm, and July 27 at 2pm
The Falls Theatre at ACT Contemporary Theatre
When failing YouTuber, Penguin, and their sardonic sidekick, Bob, decide to turn their channel into an eco-anarchist-prank show, they just think it will be an easy way to get the attention of the masses (and earn the approval of Penguin’s real estate mogul mother). But when they find themselves as the unlikely faces of a real eco-anarchist collective, they learn that what they do can actually – maybe?? – make a difference, that hope holds best in community, and that love (not likes) is the most powerful catalyst for action we’ve got.
Tickets available soon!
Theatre: Dead or Alive?! Mockumentary
In 2023-24, 2 remarkable teens inaugurated the positions of Young Core Company Representatives. Fish Harrison and Hersh Powers led youth engagement efforts on a variety of fronts, and were inspiring, galvanizing artistic leaders.
Their biggest project was a hilarious, absurd, deeply heartfelt mockumentary. With the participation and support of ACT staff and bringing together talented young artists from around the region, this mockumentary is a brilliant piece of storytelling that deserves to be seen by all those who love ACT, youth theatre, and short films!
Past YCC Productions
The Sunless Scar, by Maggie Lee and directed by Shana Bestock, was written specifically for ACT’s Young Core Company. Members of the Young Core Company performed a staged reading of the play during ACT’s inaugural New Works Northwest festival and presented a full production of The Sunless Scar in March 2024, staged in the Allen Theatre.
YCC members got to learn firsthand from ACT production staff about prop, scenic, and costume design, and made up a big part of the show’s creative team!
For up-to-date info:
Sign up for our mailing list (make sure to check Education & Engagement!)
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Questions?
Contact Shana Bestock, Artistic Associate, Education and Engagement at shana.bestock@acttheatre.org