EmpowerYouth!: Igniting Creativity through the Arts is a groundbreaking partnership with the Chicago Urban League that immerses teenagers in the creation of an original performance.
In the 2022/23 Season, EmpowerYouth! returns to the original in-person format. From October through March, participants work with professional artistic staff and program facilitators in learning how principles of performance, theatre, music, and dance relate to their everyday lives. These young artists will engage in a youth-centered co-creation process to devise an original showcase that tells the story of their experiences as young, Black Chicagoans. Mari DeOleo returns this year as program facilitator with Mbali Guliwe, Tanji Harper, and Shawn Wallace serving as artist mentors.
EmpowerYouth! comes full circle
Creating new works and learning skills like dancing, singing, and acting can be difficult under the best circumstances, but EmpowerYouth! participants managed to create something wonderful while dealing with the realities of spotty internet and busy schedules.
Five years of EmpowerYouth!
While young people are feeling uncertain about their future and the world around them, Lyric continues to invest deeply in educational and community engagement programs that encourage participants to express their hopes, fears, and dreams through opera.
Anonymous Donor
Dr. & Mrs. Mark Bowen
Charles and M.R. Shapiro Foundation
Decyk Watts Charitable Foundation
Dr. Scholl Foundation
Chaz Ebert
Elaine S. Frank Fund
Sheila Hegy
Nancy W. Knowles Student and Family Performance Fund
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Mazza Foundation
Terry J. Medhurst
Gerald Padbury
The Family of Seymour H. Persky
Polks Bros. Foundation
Rosy & Jose Luis Prado
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation
Segal Family Foundation
Nancy S. Searle
Shure Charitable Trust
The Siragusa Family Foundation
Gregory Tabacyznski
Roberta L. Washlow & Robert J. Washlow
Photo: Kyle Flubacker