Lisa S. Brenner is a professor of theatre at Drew University, where she teaches dramaturgy, theatre history, and applied theatre. Her theatre experience includes dramaturgy, devising, directing, and playwriting.

Chris Ceraso is professor of theatre at Drew University, where he teaches acting, devising, and applied theatre. His theatre experience includes acting and playwriting, as well as writing for television and film.

Evelyn Diaz Cruz is a professor of theatre at the University of San Diego, where she teaches playwriting, acting, theatre of diversity, and theatre and community. Her theatre experience includes playwriting, directing, and acting.

Editors' introduction PART 1: Engaging community: Professional theatres and youth ensembles 1. Goodman Theatre: Civic practice in service of community 2. Playmaking through polycultural partnerships 3. Unleashing the untold story: The Carpetbag Theatre Inc. and the legacy of the T.R.Y. Ensemble Roundtable discussion with Amikogaabawiikwe (Adrienne Benjamin), Chris Ceraso, Claro de los Reyes, Marion Lopez, Willa J. Taylor, and Joe Tolbert Jr. PART 2: Bridging divides: Artistic residencies in schools 4. Seeing plays and writing plays: Pathways to understanding 5. "Telling our own story": Using digital storytelling to re-design education with Texas and Alaska youth 6. A translanguaging stance on theatre education Roundtable discussion with Sindy Isabel Castro, Chris Ceraso, Kathryn (Katie) Dawson, and David Shookhoff PART 3: Reframing narratives: Strategies for re-envisioning education 7. Neighborhood bridges: Rehearsing transformations in the classroom and beyond 8. Room to play: An exploration of resources and youth agency 9. A tale of telling some truths to power Roundtable discussion with Jessica "Decky" Alexander, Maria Asp, Lisa S. Brenner, Liz Foster-Shaner, Sonja Kuftinec, and Jack Zipes PART 4: Fostering agency: Social justice programs in urban and rural settings 10. From vision to implementation: Re-examining essential practices for applied theatre with youth 11. A process-oriented approach in applied theatre programming with youth 12. Listen to us! Teenage girls creating theatre for social change Roundtable discussion with Kuenique Allicock, Evelyn Diaz Cruz, Rachel DeSoto-Jackson, Leonor (Leo) Duran, Dana Edell, Nicole Olusanya, and Joshua Rashon Streeter PART 5: Celebrating identities: Spaces to express gender and sexuality 13. Queering applied theatre: Working with LGBTQ youth to dismantle systems of oppression 14. Rehearsing for life: HOPE IS VITAL, FYI, sexuality education for youth 15. Staging generations of queer history Roundtable discussion with Lisa S. Brenner, Megan Carney, Michael Rohd, Alexander (Alex) Santiago-Jirau, and Nik Zaleski PART 6: Embodying heritage: Residencies with Indigenous and immigrant youth 16. Laughter, healing, and belonging: Cada quien tiene su lugar 17. Ax X'oos Shaxwatíx: My feet are firmly planted 18. Tricksterism in translation Roundtable discussion with Macedonio Arteaga Jr., Alicia Chavez-Arteaga, Evelyn Diaz Cruz, Vera Starbard, and Andrés Munar PART 7: Promoting equity: Practices for working with youth and disabilities 19. Our story: How Nicu's Spoon fosters representation, access, and inclusion for youth with disabilities 20. Inclusive theatre as drama therapy 21. Where we do the things they think we can't: The Pegasus Ensemble Roundtable discussion with Sally Bailey, Stephanie Barton-Farcas, Evelyn Diaz Cruz, and Scott S. Turner PART 8: Amplifying voices: Process and production with justice-involved youth 22. Stargate: A theatre company of imagination, hope, life skills, and quality art for justice-involved young men 23. The value of process: Creating theatre with incarcerated youth 24. Voices beyond bars: Art as a means of self-expression for incarcerated youth Roundtable discussion with Chris Ceraso, Erin R. Kaplan, Joanne Seelig Lamparter, and Judy K. Tate PART 9: Igniting activism: Performance and protest with youth 25. Young Women's Voices for Climate 26. The voters are coming: Moment Work and the national #HereToo Project 27. Speak About It: Social scripts for consent and healthy relationships Roundtable discussion with Lisa S. Brenner, Sarah Fahmy, Olivia Harris, Chelsea Hackett, Beth Osnes, and Barbara (Barb) Pitts McAdams

Applied Theatre with Youth is a collection of essays that highlight the value and efficacy of applied theatre with young people in a broad range of settings, addressing challenges and offering concrete solutions.
This book tackles the vital issues of our time-including, among others, racism, climate crisis, gun violence, immigration, and gender-fostering dialogue, promoting education, and inciting social change. The book is divided into thematic sections, each opening with an essay addressing a range of questions about the benefits, challenges, and learning opportunities of a particular type of applied theatre. These are followed by response essays from theatre practitioners, discussing how their own approach aligns with and/or diverges from that of the initial essay. Each section then ends with a moderated roundtable discussion between the essays' authors, further exploring the themes, issues, and ideas that they have introduced.
With its accessible format and clear language, Applied Theatre with Youth is a valuable resource for theatre practitioners and the growing number of theatre companies with education and community engagement programs. Additionally, it provides essential reading for teachers and students in a myriad of fields: education, theatre, civic engagement, criminal justice, sociology, women and gender studies, environmental studies, disability studies, ethnicity and race studies.