About YouthWorks:

YouthWorks has been a cornerstone of BAX Education for over 30 years. Mirroring BAX’s professional artist residencies, YouthWorks young artists (ages 8-18) have the opportunity to develop their artistic voices and practices while receiving artistic mentorship over a 6-8 week rehearsal period in BAX’s studios. YouthWorks artists also experience “behind-the-scenes” workshops to deepen their understanding of the many professional roles in production as they transform their creative ideas into a staged performance for a public audience. This year’s program will be co-directed by Kelindah bee and Ashley Thaxton-Stevenson.

YouthWorks 2026 Schedule:

• • YouthWorks Program Orientation for Young Artists, Families, and Artist Coaches – Sunday, December 7, 2025
    • 2:00-4:00pm for Coaches
    • 3:30-5:30pm for Young Artists & Families
  • Coaching Sessions – 2:00-5:30pm – Sundays, December 21, 2025; January 4, 11, 18, 25, & February 1, 2026
    • Coaching Session on Sunday, February 1 will include special guest artists and behind-the-scenes technical workshops!
  • Tech Rehearsals – Wednesday, February 4 to Saturday, February 7, 2026
    • Individual and small group tech rehearsals will be scheduled based on participant availability. You can anticipate being at BAX for a 2-4 hour block during the tech rehearsal period.
  • Dress Rehearsal – Saturday, February 7, 2026
  • Performance Day! – Sunday, February 8, 2026

Past YouthWorks performance pieces have included:

• Modern dance solo exploring identity and creativity!
• A laughter filled puppet show!  
• Stand up comedy about growing up from kid to teen! 
• Multimedia theater collaboration inspired by the world of superheroes! 
• Theater of the Oppressed inspired play offering strategies and ways to be an upstander when conflicts come up at school! 
• A short play about puppies! 
• Performance art about conservation and climate change!

2026 YouthWorks is full- see you next year!

From YouthWorks Participants:

“YouthWorks gives me a chance to be myself and to create something like nothing else.”

“I learned that I had a lot of stamina in creating things and an open mind.”

“The people are nice and fun!”

“We get to work and create performative art alongside other creatives fostering community and change.”

From YouthWorks Coaches:

“It is a pleasure to learn about the ways these young individuals think about art making and the world, and create new realities through their performance interventions.”

“I love watching the young artists work, create, and develop their pieces. It’s always a bit chaotic and wild during the working sessions which I love and then to see their performances and what they have created is the best reward. I also love the diversity of ages in the program and how the young artists support each other with their pieces.”