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Youth Ensemble Project (YEP)

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The purpose of NET is to: Advocate NET organizes and promotes ensemble theatre making as a distinct element of the U.S. theatre Build Knowledge NET collects, organizes and distributes information, knowledge, and opportunities to deepen artistic investigations and organizational innovations. Sustain Ensembles Through our programs and initiatives, NET strives to secure the future of ensemble theatermaking by supporting the growth, health and survival of Americas ensemble.

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Main programs Festivals/Gatherings (MicroFests & National Summits) Professional Development (Ensemble ABCsprofessional development sessions both in-person, webinars) Touring & Exchange Support (NET/TEN) Distribution of information and opportunities through e-news and social media. Youth Ensemble Project (YEP) NEW!

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2012/2013 MicroFests Detroit, MI Appalachia: Knoxville, TN & Harlan County, KY New Orleans, LA Honolulu, HI (National Summit & Learning Exchange) These events is where we encountered the amazing work of Youth Ensembles such as yours. Inspiring the creation of YEP.

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Membership As of March 2014 Wyoming 1 Wisconsin 1 Oregon 4 Colorado 2 District of Columbia 4 Florida 3 Georgia 8 Illinois 10 Indiana 1 Iowa 1 Kentucky 4 Louisiana 9 Maryland 9 Maine4 New Hampshire2 Vermont 2 Massachusetts15 Connecticut5 Rhode Island2 Mississippi 1 New Mexico 5 New York 51 Ohio 3 California 54 Washington 3 Pennsylvania 11 South Carolina 1 Tennessee 1 Texas 7 Utah 1 Virginia 2 Ensembles:235 Individual Members:84 Student Members:11 Affiliates:15 Arizona 4 Nebraska 1 Minnesota 12 Missouri 1 Hawaii 2 West Virginia 1 Delaware 1 Michigan 5 New Jersey 1 INTERNATIONAL: Great Britain1 Italy 1 Alaska1

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How do we define an ensemble? An ensemble is a group of individuals dedicated to collaborative creation, committed to working together consistently over time to develop a distinctive body of work and practices. What does ensemble mean to you and your company?

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The Youth Ensemble Field at a Glance Ongoing survey of youth ensembles 90+ and growing Youth Ensembles create and perform together. Different from youth arts classes. Independent companies and ensembles within larger companies

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Current Participants Ragged Wing Youth Ensemble, Oakland CA Gritty City Repertory Theatre, Oakland CA EarSay, Queens, NY Irondale Young Company, Brooklyn, NY Mosaic Youth Theatre, Detroit, MI Matrix Teen Company, Detroit, MI Young Nation/The Alley Project, Detroit, MI Albany Park Theater Project, Chicago, IL ArtFarm, Middletown, CT The Performance Project/First Generation, Springfield, MA True Colors/ The Theater Offensive, Boston, MA Bedlam Theatre, The Twin Cities, MN Queer Youth Theater, New Orleans, LA Rising Youth Theatre, Phoenix, AZ

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Findings Youth ensembles, like their adult counterparts, range in form, style, and structure. Desire to connect via one-on-one online conversations or in person Should be youth led Desire to share performance generating strategies

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Examples of YEP companies

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Performance Project/First Generation Springfield, MA Ensemble of young adults, ages 15-22 that identify as First Generation (first in their family to graduate high school, English as first language, be incarcerated, not be incarcerated, openly LGBT, question faith, be an artist, ANYTHING) Intensive artistic training Inter-generational mentoring, research for self-reflection, and dialogue. Create multilingual performances Sees theater together as an ensemble Meets twice a week in the evenings and some weekends

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Ragged Wing Youth Ensemble Oakland, CA Meets once a week after school for 3 hours Oct-May Fall: Ensemble & Performance Development Training Winter: Move into development and rehearsal of show collaboratively written by ensemble performed in February Spring: Students apprentice on Ragged Wing Ensemble Mainstage show Year ends with 2 minute play festival of plays written, directed and performed by the students

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Irondale Young Company Brooklyn, NY Meets weekly on Saturdays Sept-June Uses the same ensemble techniques created by the Irondale Ensemble Project Creates and performs 2 productions per year Travels to see professional shows together Assists with youth classes

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ArtFarm Middletown, CT Circophany: New youth circus ensemble ages 12-20 Rigorous training in circus skills, acrobatics, flexibility and individual and ensemble performance skills. Building original shows to tour

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You are connected! (Play the video and make your own!)