Free After-School LGBTQ Youth Theater Program Returns To West Village

WEST VILLAGE, NY — A free after school theater education program for LGBTQ students is returning for their second run.

Staging Pride: Queer Youth Theater, a program run by the National Queer Theater, is still accepting applications for their fall 2023 program until Friday, according to a Wednesday announcement.

The program, which takes place at The Center on West 13th Street near Seventh Avenue, looks to help kids master theater skills, create an original show and take program-hosted trips to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.

This semester, the program will be Nation Queer Theater’s expert teaching artists, Amy Ackerman and Kevin Smith Kirkwood, famous for his six-year run as Angel in "Kinky Boots."

“Amidst the censorship of school plays and book bans across the country, creating safe spaces for LGBTQ youth to thrive is vital,” said Adam Odsess-Rubin, Founding Artistic Director of National Queer Theater.

In addition to theater chops, kids will work to build community, friendships, leadership skills and explore LGBTQ history and culture through theater within a safe haven amid a rising tide of anti-LGBTQ sentiment.

Most of all, Staging Pride says the aim is to develop positive self-esteem among LGBTQ youth.

The program meets every Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. starting Oct. 11 until Dec. 6.

To submit an application, visit the Staging Pride website here.