NCompass Live - October 22, 2014. http://nlc.nebraska.gov/ncompasslive/

1. Teen Theater Groups
Creating Communities of Empowered Teens

2. Who We Are
Donna Block
Teen Services Librarian
Niles Public Library District
dblock@nileslibrary.org
Jennifer Cottrill
Adult/Teen Librarian
Midlothian Public Library
jcottrill@midothianlibrary.org
Joe Marcantonio
Teen Librarian
Plainfield Public Library
jmarcantonio@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org

3. Getting Started
• Find Need (what type of program do teens want that
they can’t get somewhere else?)
• Find Time (lots of it)
• Evaluate Skills (what role will you take on?)
• Get Help (volunteers/colleagues)
• Find Space (small or large)

4. Recruitment
• Promote in-person at schools
• Talk to all the teens you know around the library
• Encourage teens to invite friends & mature siblings
• Use social networking to make it go viral
• Keep an open mind about who will participate (that weird,
quiet kid may be an excellent writer/comedian)
• Offer incentives like volunteer hours, recommendations &
FOOD

5. Who Benefits
•Kids at junior highs with no drama clubs
•Kids intimidated by high school drama auditions
•Kids who get no parts or bit parts in high school
performances
•Kids in activities that conflict with high school drama
rehearsals
•Kids who are homeschooled

6. Student Leadership
Student responsibilities
•Running auditions
•Casting
•Creating rehearsal plan
•Running rehearsals
•Determining needed props,
costumes, scenery, technical
equipment
•Creating, collecting, organizing
props, costumes, etc.
Librarian responsibilities
•Advising audition process
•Approving casting
•Scheduling rehearsal times
•Managing behavior issues and/or
conflict
•Occasionally giving directorial
notes
•Purchasing or collecting selected
prop, costume, scenery items

7. Challenges
•Commitment & quitting
•Casting & hurt feelings
•Behavior & conflict
•Student directors’ decisions
•Space & time constraints

8. Promotion
• Encourage teens to use their own social
networking channels
• Create posters teens will want to show
off to friends & family
• Invite press to a rehearsal to interview
teens

9. Keeping It Going (when kids grow up/move on)
•Visit junior highs
•Establish connection with library “tweens”
•Recruit kids who attend performances
•Teach the culture & expectations to newcomers
•Call on maturing kids to be role models