Teen Troupe

We proudly offer sliding scale options to enable participants to join our program at monthly levels ranging from $10 - $50.

Platinum Patron
$50.00
Every month

Gold Patron
$40.00
Every month

Bronze Patron
$20.00
Every month

Silver Patron
$30.00
One time

Member
$10.00
Every month

Program Overview

Theatre Connect's Teen Troupe offers a vibrant and inclusive community for LGBTQIA+ teens and their allies, ages 12 to 17. In partnership with the Hipp, GCCC, and PCCNCF, we come together twice a month, from September to June for immersive theatre workshops and rehearsals. On the first Tuesday of each month we alternate in-person between the Pride Center and the Hippodrome Theatre. On the third Tuesday of the month, we meet online. These sessions are crafted and conducted by experienced theatre practitioners and licensed counselors, ensuring a supportive creative experience for all.

Join The Fun!

Theatre Connect's Teen Troupe is more than just a theatre program—it's a community, a shared story, and a sanctuary for growth and expression. We invite you to join us in this journey, whether through participation, support, or storytelling. Life’s a stage! Together, we can make a difference in the lives of LGBTQIA+ teens, providing them with creative connection and the tools to thrive.

  • Parents or guardians can enroll their teens on this page to create a login for our secure members-only pages. Once you’ve logged in, you’ll find our events calendar, required forms, latest updates, and access to our exclusive Discord community.

  • We welcome new members at any time during the year, with no auditions or prior theatre experience required. Theatre Connect is a place where everyone can find their niche, be it in the spotlight or behind the scenes. Step into the enriching world of community theatre with us—we can't wait to include you and your family in our story.

  • In collaboration with a PhD student from the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions, we're pioneering research to refine and share our approach nationwide. Moreover, we're excited to share that a local queer documentarian is currently producing a documentary about our program. Families interested in contributing to our research or featuring in the documentary are invited to engage through our members-only site, where optional consent forms will be provided.

  • The impact of Theatre Connect and the performing arts is significant. Our research highlighted in SOPHE’s Health Promotion Practice journal (full article) shows that programs like ours not only foster a sense of community but also empower LGBTQIA+ youth, improve mental health, and help create positive identities and interpersonal relationships. Additionally, as Theatre Connect adapted to online platforms during the pandemic, we've seen how such initiatives can bridge the gap for youths dealing with isolation, connecting them with peers and mentors in safe and engaging environments as detailed in the Journal of Applied Arts & Health (full article).

  • We prioritize safe and ethical practice by maintaining partnerships with licensed mental health counselors, professionally supervised interns, and advanced theatre practitioners. Our guidelines, informed by successful strategies from our program's history and scholarly research, focus on creating a theatre-first environment that emphasizes skill-building through play. We strive to ensure that each session not only nurtures theatrical talent but also contributes to the overall well-being of our participants.

  • If your family is facing financial hardship, please contact us to learn about lower-cost or free attendance options.

More Info

We partner with our community to improve access to the performing arts for queer youth. In 2023, the Gainesville Community Counseling Center and the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida joined the fun! They take turns with the Hippodrome Theatre to provide meeting space each month. Together, we offer a professional theatre crew and mental health counselors who identify as LGBTQIA+ or allies to guide our teens through multi-modal creativtiy in person and online.

Community Connection

Questions?