Participants are selected through non-competitive “auditions.” These “auditions” include completing a written survey, as well as engaging in improvisation, simple dancing, and singing. Criteria for participant selection include need for the program, availability, willingness to collaborate with a diverse group of young people, and concern for the various issues facing young people today. No one is chosen on the basis of talent or ability.

Information on auditions can be found here.

Leadership Opportunities within the program

• Youth Council

  The CP-NY Youth Council lead the cast in deepening the community engagement elements of the program. They are working to fulfill their vision of a generation of teenagers who will understand the sources of conflicts and issues in their world with the desire to make opportunities that educate and inspire others to action.

  The goals of the youth council are to:

  • Educate themselves and the casts about the history of activism;
  • Provide opportunities to become engaged in the community
  • Design Community Action Challenges for the cast

• Youth Production Team

  The Production Team is a diverse group of 8-12 youth participants, chosen by the previous year’s Production Team, who meet weekly (an additional 250-300 hours per year) to represent the cast and to lead every aspect of the program. The Production Team is responsible for the overall management of the program year’s activities. They stand at the center of the program’s activity.

  The Production Team’s responsibilities include:

  • Establishing goals and objectives for the cast and the program each year;
  • Setting policy on issues involving the participants with regard to attendance, participation requirements, decision-making procedures, and other matters;
  • Providing oversight of adult leadership;
  • Assessing and planning rehearsals with the directors;
  • Leading in rehearsals and participating fully in activities;
  • Modeling the principles of the program;
  • Communicating regularly with participants;
  • Developing an artistic framework for show creation;
  • Representing CP-NY at events and at meetings with press and funders; and
  • Evaluating all aspects of the process on a regular, ongoing basis.