Opportunities for teens: Fresh Voices for Clean Air, Prime Stage and more

Photo above by Joey Kennedy courtesy of Handmade Arcade.

Prime Stage

Prime Stage is holding open auditions for their 27th “Season of Courage and Discovery.”

Auditions are happening Saturday, Sept. 16 (noon to 4 p.m.) and Sunday, Sept. 17 (4 p.m.-9 p.m.) at the Prime Stage Studio (840 W Saw Mill Run Blvd., Pittsburgh).

Directors Linda Haston, Art Deconcillis and Ponny Conomos are seeking actors from age 13 to adult of all ethnicities and races for “Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott,” “Then They Came for Me: remembering the World of Anne Frank” and Agatha Christie’s “Witness for the Prosecution.”

Actors should prepare two brief, contrasting monologues and bring a resume and headshot. Complete the audition form here to schedule your date and time.

For more info, send an e-mail to auditions@primestage.com.

GASP Pittsburgh’s Fresh Voices for Clean Air Youth Education Program

The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) is seeking Allegheny County students in grades 9, 10, and 11 who want to become environmental game-changers by joining an innovative program called Fresh Voices for Clean Air.

In partnership with the Alabama-based nonprofit Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution (also known as GASP), the Fresh Voices program will pair a small group of high school students in Allegheny County with a group of their peers in Birmingham for a school year-long collaborative partnership. Throughout 2023-24, the teens in each city will meet virtually to talk with each other and hear from guest speakers. Fresh Voices will also work closely with Communitopia’s Pittsburgh Youth for Climate Action (PYCA).

Teens will learn more about air quality while building skills as environmental advocates. By the program’s end, students will have created, developed, and executed an air quality project of their own choosing, with the support of adult mentors in Pittsburgh and Birmingham.

Fresh Voices is open to students in grades 9, 10, and 11 who attend school in either Allegheny County or Jefferson County, Ala. Students must be willing and able to participate through the end of the school year in June 2024 and will need access to a computer, tablet or smartphone to take part in virtual meetings, and have written consent from a parent or guardian.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 22. Get details and apply here. GASP will host a brief virtual info session via Zoom at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 12 to share more details about the program and answer any questions. Register for that info session here.

Kidsburgh/SLB Radio Youth Reporters

SLB Radio and Kidsburgh are excited to be partnering to put a spotlight on teen voices in Western Pennsylvania. Our plan is to gather a group of teens in grades 8 through 12 who are interested in writing stories and creating podcast episodes with us.

Students don’t need any experience to participate —  just an interest in learning and an eagerness to create content with us. We’ll be offering free training and small stipend payments for the time students spend creating their stories and audio recordings.

Youth reporters will have opportunities to create local event coverage, share their perspectives on current issues, contribute to recurring columns and record youth voice podcasts, along with learning at training sessions with working media professionals.

Do you have a teen who might be interested in becoming a youth reporter? They can learn about our program at our information session on Monday, Sept. 18 from 4:30 – 6 pm at the SLB Radio Youth Media Center.

Any students interested in journalism, writing, podcasting and digital media are encouraged to attend.

You or your teen can RSVP here if you’re planning to join us.

You’ll find the SLB Radio Youth Media Center at 10 Children’s Way on Pittsburgh’s North Side (that’s the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh — SLB Radio’s beautiful new studio is located inside the museum).

Can’t make it to the information session, but still interested in getting involved? Just fill out the RSVP form and we will reach out with additional information via email.

Handmade Arcade

Calling all creative kids: Teens have until Sept. 8 to apply to join Handmade Arcade’s 2023 Youth Maker Cohort. Students are given $500 in scholarship money for materials and a free vendor booth at the Handmade Arcade Holiday Market, plus plenty of help prepping for the event. That pre-show prep includes three workshops to learn all about selling at the holiday market, plus one-one-one mentoring from a local professional maker.

Get all the details and apply here.

YMCA Turkey Trot

Another fun opportunity, this one for the whole family: Registration is now open for the 2023 YMCA Turkey Trot, happening on Thanksgiving day. This year’s event will offer a 5-mile, a 5K run and 1-mile Family Fun Run, which raise funds for the YMCA food pantry programs and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

To help inspire lots of families to attend this year, race organizers are offering half-price registration for runners ages 5 to 18, and kids 4 and under can register for free. Runners will receive a race day shirt and have the opportunity to purchase a medal with registration.  Get details and register here.