Actors needed for After School Program Pilot: stipends available!
We’re excited to share a new chapter for Young Storytellers — a pilot After School program in partnership with various providers. This initiative is part of our strategic plan to expand our reach and serve more young people, especially in communities that lack access to arts programming. Our pilot has launched this Fall 2025 and we will provide stipend opportunities for eligible actors to perform in Young Storytellers After School Big shows.
Our traditional programming will always remain as an unpaid volunteer opportunity due to the majority of our programming being provided for free at under-resourced schools in a world where funding is lacking for the arts. These After School Big Show stipends will enable us to engage actor communities who typically have fewer work opportunities available to them, thus are less likely to be able to volunteer. We encourage performers from theatre companies that represent historically marginalized communities to apply to perform. We are also happy to invite volunteers that perform in multiple in-school programming Big Shows per semester to participate.
The Details:
Young Storytellers will offer a $75 stipend to actors that perform in our Pilot After School program. Stipends will be provided upon the completion of the Big Show. Actors who are eligible for this stipend may either accept the stipend or donate all or part of the funds back to Young Storytellers if they choose to do so.
To be an actor eligible for a stipend you must meet one of the following requirements:
Be an active volunteer actor in the Young Storytellers Community participating in at least three shows every semester, for the past 2 or more years.
Be an active performer for a theatre company that represents historically marginalized communities. For example: BIPOC, Neurodiverse, LGBTQ+, etc. theatre companies.
What happens at a Big Show?
Acting in a Big Show is a one time, 2.5 hour commitment where you’ll audition before students, be cast in their original stories and perform them with script in hand.
The day is full of fun, laughter and meaningful connection as you help bring their words to life on stage!
Here’s what to expect:
You’ll kick things off with a warm-up activity to get comfortable with the students.
You’ll audition for the young writers by showing off your stage presence, special skills and big energy, students then cast you in their stories.
Finally, you’ll perform their work in front of friends, family and classmates, improvising all physicalities while honoring their scripts word for word.
You will use your body and voice fully at a Big Show performance. Stage and improvisation experience are a plus! You can review our Big Show best practices HERE.
Next Steps:
If you are interested in an actor stipend opportunity at one of our Pilot After School Big Shows, please complete the Actor Stipend interest form so that a staff member may contact you for more information.
And, if you love what we do, and would like to do more, join us as a volunteer actor for our in-school programs!
