Steppenwolf's Young Adult Council (YAC) serves as a home to teen arts learners, makers, and appreciators who are passionate, curious, and interested in theatre. Members of the Young Adult Council create an inclusive, tight-knit community, while using the arts to deeply engage with the world around them.

Working to provide Steppenwolf Theatre with a teen perspective, members offer their expertise on and help curate programming for their peers. Through learning about the inner operations of a large arts institution, teens are introduced to theater professionals and participate in weekly workshops and learning opportunities. Members have the opportunity to cultivate leadership skills, explore the professional world of theater, meet fellow arts appreciators, and have fun!

Applications are closed.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at teenprograms@steppenwolf.org. And follow YAC on Instagram for news and updates!

Core Values*

Leadership - Leadership looks different for everyone. At YAC, we encourage each other to create our own definition of what it means to be a leader!

Joy - It is important to the YAC that we center joy whenever and wherever possible.

Curiosity - Throughout the program, Council members are encouraged to lead from a place of curiosity, staying open to an environment where learning is around every corner.

Inclusion - At YAC, we ask you to bring yourself fully and unapologetically – we work to create an environment where you can feel safe and comfortable doing so.

Accountability - Being a part of YAC is a commitment -- we hold each other accountable to ourselves, our peers, and the values and tenants of the program.

*this language was created by members of the 21/22 YAC cohort

What We Do

The program breaks down into two categories, our core YAC programs that take place every Wednesday as well as paid community engagement and additional leadership opportunities outside of the weekly meetings.

Weekly meetings at Steppenwolf including but not limited to...

• Script Reading Workshops

• Meeting staff and ensemble members at Steppenwolf 

• Learning from theatre artists through hands-on workshops in their craft

• Exploring our creativity through art-making

• Seeing plays for free at Steppenwolf and across Chicago 

• Observing a professional rehearsal process including technical rehearsals and backstage run crew

Our community engagement and leadership opportunities include: 

• Working with other YAC members to curate our Instagram and other social media content

• Being Teen curators and curating the teen experience for all Steppenwolf Productions

• Reading scripts for season planning and giving your thoughts on future Steppenwolf shows!

• Contributing to study guides for Steppenwolf productions 

• Interviewing and facilitating conversations with professional artists

• Volunteering at Steppenwolf's program for area veterans 

And so much more!! 

Sponsor

The Young Adult Council is generously supported in part by Liz and Eric Lefkofsky.