Our Teen Mentorship Program is designed for youth ages 15-19 who are interested in exploring careers in the theatre arts beyond acting, by partnering with mentors who are working theatrical professionals. Mentees will also take part in creating their own showcase performance to use the skills they have learned practically. The first opportunity in the theatre that most young people get is on stage as an actor – whether they are in a show or see a show. The reality though is that most jobs in the theatre are not on stage, but in the directing, designing, composing, choreographing, stage management and technical direction of a show. Our Teen Mentorship Program was created to help youth discover and explore these career paths. Both mentorship programs (First Job In The Arts Mentorships and Emerging BIPOC Designers Mentorships) will be part of the Teen Mentorship Cohort. The new Teen Mentorship program gives a more hands-on experience for our young people and works to foster community and provide tools and resources once they have left the program. The mentorship is divided into two parts, Mentorship and Showcase. Mentorships will take place on one of the first four shows of the season. Students will be placed with a professional theatre artist in their discipline and work alongside them through their process on a show. In conjunction with the mentorship, there will be a cohort meeting on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:00 - 6:30 pm. The cohort meetings will teach practical skills such as how to run light and sound boards, budgeting, creating resumes and panels with professional artists working in the Twin Cities. The cohort will be divided into two groups and given a script and a budget to create a short play to be performed at a theatre. Throughout these months, the cohort meetings will become production meetings resulting in a two week build, rehearsal and performance. Through this showcase, the cohort will take the tools they have learned through their mentorship and put them into practical use. Cohort members would need to be available June 15 - 26, 2026 for this showcase portion. To be considered for a mentorship opportunity students need to apply through our online application process. Each selected participant receives a $400.00 STIPEND at the end of their mentorship