After School Program: FAQ
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.
What is the After School Program Pilot?
The After School program pilot is the Collaborative Script to Stage Program done in partnership with various After School Program providers (for example: The Boys and Girls Club of America). 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 launched in Fall 2025 in three sites. The After School Program is paid for by the partner After School Sites.
This paid model enables Young Storytellers to grow beyond our staff capacity, reach more young people, and generate sustainable revenue to support our ongoing programming.
How does the After School Program differ from the Script to Stage Program?
Both programs teach similar curriculum and conclude with a Big Show performance. The Script to Stage In-School program is led by volunteer Head Mentors with a group of volunteer mentors who work individually with students to write scripts. The After School Program is led by Teaching Artists, supported by a partner site’s staff member, and has no mentors, while the students write in pairs independently.
The After School Program pilot will not affect our current in-school programming.
Are there mentors in the After School Program?
No. As opposed to the in-school program where we have volunteer mentors working with the young writers, the After School Program is run by two Teaching Artists with the support of a partner site’s staff member, and the writers write independently in their pairs.
Is there a Big Show at the end of the program?
Yes. The scripts are performed in a Big Show. The actors for the Big Show are paid an optional stipend for their participation.
I’m an actor, can I participate in an After School Program Big Show?
Who is eligible to act in the After School Program Big Shows?
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 going beyond performing in an occasional show and committing to supporting as many shows as possible, and head mentors who are actors.
Or
Be an active performer for a theatre company that represents historically marginalized communities. For example: BIPOC, Neurodiverse, LGBTQ+, etc. theatre companies
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 are also excited to compensate actor volunteers in our community that go above and beyond for our in-school programming.
How much is the stipend actors get paid for a Big Show?
Actors receive a stipend of $75 for their participation in a single After School Program 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.
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!
If I am considered eligible for a stipend and would like to act in a Big Show, who may I contact?
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.
Can an actor who performs in the After School Program volunteer to perform in the Script to Stage In-School Program?
Yes! Of course. Please join as many shows as you’d like, as a volunteer! Sign up to volunteer here.
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!
If you are an organization interested in our After School Program, please contact us.
