True Colors:
Out Youth Theater
ABOUT TRUE COLORS
True Colors: Out Youth Theater is the Theater Offensive’s longest running seasonal program. It uses a proven community-based theater approach to train and activate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and allied youth leaders ages 13-25. True Colors youth leaders work with The Theater Offensive to develop comprehensive youth programming that engages participants deeply in our mission.
AWARD-WINNING QUEER YOUTH THEATER
True Colors is the only queer and trans youth theater program in the region and the longest-running of only a few such programs throughout the country. Participants in True Colors create original work based on their own personal stories as queer and trans youth of diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds, from all across different communities in Boston. Participants then share these stories with schools, community groups, and youth-serving government agencies. These stories reflect the realities of queer and trans youth today, create honest dialogues, and have powerful impacts on audience members. True Colors programming is informed by The Theater Offensive’s mission, which focuses specifically on Queer and Trans People of Color, and its Queer and QTPOC Liberatory Aesthetics work.
At the core of our True Colors programming is the desire to provide youth with the tools to succeed artistically, personally, academically, and professionally. Youth in True Colors Troupe are provided with a stipend that exceeds minimum wage, funds for hot meals, and technical support upon request.
From True Colors: OUT Youth Theatre: Evelyn Francis and Trae Weekes (Photo courtesy of NAHYP Awards)
WATCH OUR TROUPE IN ACTION!
Apply Today!
Apply Today!
Let’s show the world your True Colors
FALL PROGRAM DATES: November 4 – December 17, 2025
We meet every Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday, 6:00PM–8:30PM
Fridays are reserved for epic excursions (think movie nights, museum hangs, tie dye shirts)
Hey QTBIPOC youth & allies ages 14-18, we’re calling YOU out!
Wanna get loud with your art, vibe with other young artists, and let your QUEER magic pop off all fall long? Then join True Colors Troupe Performing Ensemble. This fall’s gonna be nothing but vibes, growth, and that main character energy.
and that main character energy.
SOOO…WHAT does a Performing Ensemble do?
Perform! It’s not your average drama program, though. This is a Performing Ensemble, aka a group of dope young artists (you!) working with professional teaching artists (us!) to create your own original performance pieces using writing, movement, & theater exercises, the whole creative toolkit.
You’ll craft short vignette choreo-poems and collab with our directors and videographer to bring your stories to life. Then we wrap it all up with a graduation celebration showcase where you get to showcase your work (yep, you'll be performing). This is a paid opportunity that includes excursions and workshops!
True Colors Over the Years
