What: Proud Theater is looking for interested youth, ages 13-18, for its 2012–2013 season

When: Every Wednesday evening starting September 12, 2012 – 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Youth may enjoy open enrollment until November 28, 2012.

Where: James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation – 2146 E. Johnson St., Madison, WI 53704

Call 1-608-222-9086 or write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more info see our website at www.proudtheater.org

The youth gather on Wednesday nights throughout the school year at James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Madison's east side. Under the guidance of mentors, they improvise, create, and perform theatrical pieces, poetry, and music that reflect the realities of their young lives. They then share their work publicly at performances throughout the year – ending the year with a cumulative production.

Proud Theater was founded in late 1999 by Sol Kelley-Jones and Callen Harty. The mentors of Proud Theater youth include Artistic Director Brian Wild, playwright for Broom Street Theater Callen Harty, LGBTQ activists Sol Kelly-Jones, Olivia Wine, Gavin Logan, and Josie Montanez-Tyler, Broom Street Theater Artistic Director Heather Renken, Musical Director Galen Olsen, and Stage Manager Tara Randl.

Proud Theater recently opened a chapter of their group in Wausau, and is expanding to Milwaukee in 2012. A new theatrical group, Proud Theater: Beyond, will open sometime in 2013 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It is designed for post-high school, 18–23-year-olds, the most underserved part of the LGBTQIA community.

Homophobia and transphobia present many challenges in the lives of young people. As a result, self-described “queer” youth may be more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience depression, family estrangement, school problems, and substance abuse. In response, Proud Theater offers encouragement, inspiration, and support on many different levels. It builds upon the youths’ innate resilience—providing them with community, security, peer support, and mentorship. This, in turn, contributes to their positive engagement with school, and their overall health, self-esteem, and stability.

Proud Theater is a project of Art & Soul Innovations and received additional support through members of the Madison area theater and business community. Proud Theater enjoys generous support from The Mukti Fund – dedicated to the support and development of LGBTQ youth through theatrical works across the country, and the PFund Foundation.