The Theater Offensive

CONTACT:

29 Elm Street, #2
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-661-1600
thetheateroffensive.org

Abe Rybeck, Artistic Director

DESCRIPTION:

In 1989, Artistic Director Abe Rybeck founded The Theater Offensive to give voice to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Greater Boston. In 1994 the Massachusetts Department of Education commissioned TTO to create True Colors: Out Youth Theater Troupe as a project in the new Safe Schools Program for Gay and Lesbian Students. True Colors’ mission is to help young people negatively affected by homophobic bigotry to overcome it, using theater as a critical and creative tool, producing alternative frameworks in which to analyze the world around them, and to articulate their visions for the future. Each semester True Colors invites human service organizations and schools to help recruit a culturally diverse cast of 10-15 LGBT youth and their allies. Most are low-income minorities; 44% are or have been homeless; 59% have had substance abuse problems; over 65% have experienced family abuse, and 67% have attempted suicide. Artists and teachers guide the players in creating a new performance piece based on their personal experiences, their observations and their hopes for the future. Players also are trained to lead discussions and creative workshops for their peers, with customized study guides for each show. Each year True Colors’ cast of 30 performs for student audiences of over 3000.

(2008: CULTURE: Arts: Education: Theatre)