Rising Youth Theatre is a youth leadership organization working at the intersection of art and social justice. Our mission is “to imagine and build the world we want to live in through youth-driven, multigenerational collaboration and justice-centered artistic process and performance that generates reflection, connection and action.” We believe that theatre and the arts are powerful tools with which young people can stand up and advocate for themselves and their peers, and that artmaking and storytelling are a catalyst for change. Young people work in leadership spaces across all levels of our organization, including the staff, board, and creative spaces. We produce original plays around topics that matter to our community, including, race, mental health, student push-out, and more. Our school residency program brings social-emotional learning through the arts to hundreds of kids each year.

 RYT presents FREE original productions in surprising places – including the Valley Metro Light Rail, public parks, libraries, and more. We also offer research based arts programming for schools, leadership programming for teens, and school break and summer camps for elementary school students.

 

At Rising Youth Theatre, we use many art forms to teach students leadership skills and life skills catered to each individual student’s needs. Ideal for ages 5-12 and offered during spring, summer & fall breaks, our unique arts camps at the Phoenix Center for the Arts are a place where kids learn, create, and build community together. Whether your child already *knows* they are meant for the stage, are trying theatre for the first time, or just want a place to make friends in a welcoming environment, there is always a place for them at RYT.

 

June production camps last for two weeks and July skill building camps last for one week – all camps culminate in a performance for families and friends.