Hello! My name is Ella Killingsworth. I’m the author of this website, a senior in high school, Girl Scout and State Thespian Officer.
This project has been created on my love for theater and my passion for equity. I think that the lack of shows produced that feature minority voices is a travesty. With that in mind, I know that many times theater directors turn to plays that they know and are familiar with when deciding on their shows for that season. Plays that are easily “bookmarkable” and identifiable within the canon are more likely to be chosen. Minority Voices in Theatre: A Youth Friendly Anthology in Progress aims to address that very issue.
Another important thought to consider with these plays is theater beyond production. These works can be used as audition monologues, competition pieces, or reading material. In fact, you might have more luck finding a play that you resonate with when you think about theater beyond the production aspect. (See Other Resources page)
This resource was created as a Girl Scouts Gold Award Project, and is hosted through Oregon Thespians, through my work as a State Thespian Officer of Oregon. It was created by and for young people in theater. My goal with this was to create a place where youth-suitable plays that feature minority voices can be more easily accessible for theater troupes statewide.
If you know a play that should be on this list that is not included on this website, please contact me at:
minorityvoicesyouththeater@gmail.com
The rubric I used when selecting these plays is as follows:
Includes themes suitable for youth actors up to high school age, to be used for readings, auditions, drama competitions and/or classes, not necessarily for means of full production.
Features a playwright or characters that have been historically marginalized
Contains dialogue and non-reductive plot lines regarding diverse characters.
Authored by a playwright that presents an accurate and non appropriative display of any culture that they showcase within the work.
Avoids harmful cultural stereotypes, unless addressing them for a larger commentary on the damaging effects of said stereotype.
Amplifies non-majority cultural ideas, myths, traditions or religions within the work.
Minority Voices in Theater: 