Lexington Youth Acting Outr
In only two short years, Company Q has gone from simple social meetings, to developing original works, to performing those (and other) pieces all over Lexington, Kentucky.
"We do workshops in the local high schools, at the university, sometimes at the library," says Theo Meacham, co-director. "We've met in coffee shops and parks. We go where the need is."
The troupe provides a safe space for young people ages 13 to 22 to express their total beings while teaching others. Meacham calls this the transformative power of the performing arts, adding that theatre, at its core, embodies all the skills it takes to be a noble human, like empathy, creativity, and teamwork. Meacham says that queer teens ("or perhaps all humans in general") need outlets to explore their experiences.
"It gives people a chance to explore themselves, their experience, and the world around them," says Meacham. "I have watched theatre change the lives of young people. It makes my heart sing."
Meacham recalls one night in particular, during a "talk back", when one of the moms of a cast member shared openly about how much she had seen her son grow since joining the company, that he was speaking up for himself in ways he never had before.
"That's why we do what we do," says Meacham, noting that sometimes it's tough to be gay in Kentucky. "Not all queer kids have a place where they can tell their stories or talk openly about their lives. Everyone needs a space like that."
In 2013 the entire group collaborated and produced Finding the Fierce comprised of many stand alone scenes, with a solid through line. It was incredibly well received, and their audiences more than doubled for the second season.
"I truly think that writing the piece gave an amazing level of ownership," Meacham says. "Everyone's fingerprints were in the mortar of that show."
Big news for 2015 has Company Q hosting the 2015 Pride Youth Theater Alliance Conference bringing together artists, activists, and educators from around the globe to discuss best practices, advance the field, and share work. Preparations have already begun.
"Kentucky is pretty bad-ass when it comes down to it," says Meacham. "Especially Lexington, and we are proud to be part of that awesomeness."