Every year, we invite, train and support youth through the process of building an original show about Chicago stories. They partner with community organizations, get support from professional directors & designers, and perform their original show in spring of each year. The program is designed to be an entry point for emerging, young art-ivists to build & practice their craft. Their work is not possible without community.

As this year's youth ensemble show focuses on the stories of beginnings, asking youth & adults "what is/was your spark?" we invite you to be the spark for youth. By donating today, or making a commitment to long-term donations, you become the spark & support for hundreds of youth who have and will cross our stage.

about spark

spark tells the stories of youth activists and activists in their youth. The process engages interviews with over 20 adults about their youth, the book “Let This Radicalize You,” and looks at archive projects as both an aesthetic and important practice in an age of erasure.

Set in a dark room, a space for development, the students will interweave these stories with calls for adults to support youth, rather than fear them. A piece that believes in bridging generational divides & archiving stories, Spark is directed by Producing Artistic Director Katrina Dion, with Marilyn Carteno & Xitlali Celeste.

The Free Street Youth Ensemble is for 14 to 19 year olds in Chicago who are passionate about combining the arts with social justice. During the year, students participate in workshops & rehearsals where they learn performance techniques & skills to create your own play, while researching and collaborating with local organizations. At the end of the year, they present their original play to audiences from across Chicago.

Since 1969, Free Street has been at the forefront of the movement to create affordable, and inclusive, and theater in communities across Chicago. Free Street has been a necessary innovator in Chicago, seeking out new and effective ways to challenge racial and economic segregation through the arts.

We operate out of two locations, in West Town (Pulaski Park Fieldhouse) and Back of the Yards (47th & Ashland).

SPARK: Free Street Street Youth Campaign 2026

Team Leaderboard

Team Members